"I look so pretty mom"

Little miss priss! One of her get-ups she put on yesterday. I love the fact that she is okay with going outside in shorts (pajama shorts)... there is fresh snow on the ground! Little sweet pea... I could use a bit of her "no shame" take on things!

I am happy... really happy to say that Campbell is doing much better this morning. Boy howdy... her fever peaked at 104.5 yesterday... that is always so scary! Thank you Lord... you helped her fight it off! Of course!

It's a fresh... new... "make it happen" kind of day! Yeah!

oh nooooo...

Big sis has come down with a fever! You know something's up when she is not tearing through the house in her roller skates! Darn it!

It will be a snuggle bug... chicken noodle soup day!

this & that

So... I am still working on getting this & that where "they" belong. Todd made fun of me the other night because there is a basket labeled "flashlights & such"! We know what that "such" is! You know... play phones... magnifying glasses... play cameras... duh!I truly have a thing about everything being in a spot! Everything has a spot! I wouldn't call myself nuts... just particular & I like organization! Plus... I think it helps the girls learn about putting things away!

I will be a busy bee today... doing some things I love! Dremel here I come!

Have a cha cha cha of a day!

for the love of red...

way back... wednesday

Back when... it was just the two of us!

This was actually taken a few months before he proposed! I must have thought he looked mighty cute in his hat... and he isn't even a Texas boy! Indiana through & through!

We were at "Dallas"... in Austin. I think Thursday night was the night to be there. I wonder if that place is still around. It sure was fun!

I have always liked this picture... looking at it... we were as happy as we could be & had the world at our feet!

sophie surprise

I had a great BIG surprise Thursday night! A BIG surprise... packaged in a petite frame!

Todd ran out the door to a rig emergency. The girls and I made a quick decision to cuddle up in my bed & watch a little House Hunters (yes, the girls love that show too). We heard a noise... the girls got up... "it's daddy". I thought... that's impossible... as he walked in I started to say "you're already back"... when I saw a shadow walk right behind him AND run to jump on my bed! Shock... would be the best word to desribe my moment! My friend Sophie was jumping on my bed! I thought I was dreaming! She flew ALL DAY from Houston to come see me! I could not believe she was here! It was total out of body! An unbelievable surprise! A much needed delight!

The fact that she was standing right in front of me took some time to really wrap my head around! What fun!

We were treated to a very special weekend!

All I know... boy howdy... we ate some serious food! I'm feeling a bit hefty in the step! I have had enough carbs to last me the rest of the month! I'm serious! The girls had a ball... of course they love Sophie! She even took them to a movie... just the little gals... completely wore out little bit!

Sophie is a gal filled with radiant light! She is good for your soul... healing for your heart... uplifting for your spirit! I am truly thankful that I have such a gift in my life!

friday smiles...

squashed!

Excuse me... I believe you have something I want! I NEED to get on the computer... atleast it feels that way. I feel "out of touch" when I do not have access... crazy! Do you ever feel that way? It has become like my morning coffee... and that is a must! :) I look forward to my morning spin.


So... last night was the second night of American Idol. Have you been watching? It is amazing to me how they keep it fresh year after year. We find it soooo funny & so well put together. Some of the contestants they feature have really inspiring stories. You can almost feel their desire!

The girls LOVE grilled cheese & tomato soup... ask for it all the time! We did not have any tomato soup... SO... it made us try something new! Oh my gosh! If you love soup... run to the store fast and get this! It is soooooo yummy! Campbell's Select Golden Butternut Squash! The great news... hubby even liked it (he is very meat & potato)! It was perfect with the grilled cheese & the "almost at zero" temperature outside!



Today is Thursday... time to get busy day! Housekeeping calls and the shop... the shop... the shop! Oh the shop! I am so very happy to say the marvelous Leila over at Lightning Bug Designs fixed my website issue! She basically rocks! The shop will be up & running soon! Yeah! I will be having some serious fun & doing some crafty creating over the weekend!

Here's to a hip hip hooray of a day!

Amy Butler... divine

Take a peak at Amy Butler's awesome collection for Spring! If you have never visited her website... oooooh... you should. Loads of inspiration!

Awe... the fresh look of Spring!

way back... wednesday

Back when... Glamour Shots WERE cool! You know you have some too... I think we all did it. My gosh... some of those outfits they put us in or wait... did we choose them?

I was 22 years old here and my word are those earrings BIG enough? That WAS in! The earrings had to be big & shiny... I owned some real beauties. The funny thing... with me big hair... this was not even the 80's. Really!

I guess if I could have retained anything from this time of my life it would have to be elasticity! Time & gravity do a number!

But... I truly believe... with time... it only gets better! Sure... I may have acquired some wrinkles... stretch marks... scars... gray... BUT they are all part of the map. The map of my life's journey. A journey that I wouldn't trade... it makes me who I am. So NOT perfect... but learning every day.

sweet victory

My little one is a super star! She has been a real trooper!

We have now been over three FULL days & nights with no accidents! I believe we have come over that hill... that mountain! I really think... like with big sis... she just had to be really ready & decide all her own!


I am one really PROUD... happy mommy! yippee!

now thaaaat's attractive

I am looking "hot" this morning! oh yeah... oh yeah. All I know... I am comfy & warm!

You know I was so frazzled yesterday... wore myself out... literally. I was exhausted. Late last night I realized... it hit me... I am right where I should be. Right in the middle of it all. There is so much to embrace. It may be hectic... chaotic at times... but... this is my life! It is a gift... all of it. The dried up cheerios I find on the kitchen floor... the endless dress-up clothes that don't make it back to their bin... the basket full of laundry that never ends... the temper tantrums on the floor... the muddy-snow boots that just ran through the door... the spilled cocoa... the screaming... THE HUGS... THE KISSES... THE "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH mommy"... it's all mine! I am right where I should be! Right in the middle of it all!

Mini me came walking in...

on a tight rope

Welcome Monday! This is one of those days where I am waking up thinking "where in the world do I begin"! So much to do... my head is spinning!

Wearing many hats and always wearing a hat! You know what I mean... that 24/7 of being mommy... wife... woman! My word... my girls are a precious gift... the loves of my life... I just need time to breathe by myself! Only me. Trying to balance it all is my current challenge. Sometimes it feels like I spend all my time just "keeping up" that there is no time to do what I enjoy most. I know... whoa is me... little miss pity-party... I need to suck it up and get over it! Really!

If you have found the answer to keeping all the balls in the air... please share!

I will continue to march forward... onward & upward!

Some pics from our duck pond visit yesterday... I think this guy wanted to come home with us to sit by the fire.

Okay... so here's to a "look on the bright side" Monday! I'm off to divide & conquer!

it's here

Yippee... yippee... yeah... yeah... it's friday! Here's to having a fabulous weekend! To doing what makes you happy!

What do you have going? Do you have a big plans or just a relaxing time at home?

I hope to do a bit of both! It's a winter wonderland outside so I am sure we will be building a snowman and making a few snow angels. As long as I can have hot cider once inside... I'm good. I'm a chicken in the cold... I am so Texan! As I sit here... it is 16 degrees outside! Brrrrrr!

And here's to my mama! She had shoulder surgery this morning... and I pray for a speedy recovery! It's done... you will get better each and every day!

I love you so much... wish I were there. I know you're in good hands... the best!

celery... onion... check... check!

dinner... check

I've got the beans on for dinner... except for a couple major ingredients that I need to run and get (onion & celery)! Who runs out of onion? I am usually pretty good about having onions... I love onion! I love it when dinner begins in the morning. It takes a bit of stress out of the witching hour... you know that time. Well... at my house around five the kids start going bonkers. So woo hoo... I've got dinner... check!
The only thing I was missing while slaving over the stove (ha) was one of these pretty aprons! I came across these the other day and it made me WANT to cook or have a party. You know... just to show it off! How great are they? I favor the full apron so when I sneak a taste test... I don't get all a mess! Run over and see these aprons at PresentPast Collection. Who doesn't need a fun apron!

I have another full plate today. Of course. Who doesn't. I guess the key is to take it all on with a smile and cheer! So here I go... hip hip hooray!

way back... wednesday

I can not believe I am actually sharing this picture! But it is snowing like CRAZY outside so... what better than a... ridiculous... what was I thinking with my hair... thought I was so cool... 80's... picture! It pains me to look at it! But on the other hand... it reminds me of great times! This picture was taken in Crested Butte... obviously in 1980 something. Kind of funny how we live just a hop, skip and jump from there now! We have many fun memories made in Crested Butte on ski trips... my gosh... silly fun!

In case you really want to know which one is me... I am the dorky one on the left! Holley is next to me and then Beth. I have known then since first grade! I am happy to say... we are still the best of friends! They're family!


I think it is time for a ski reunion really soon! Who do you think will be the first to pee in their pants from laughing too hard?

baby steps

We're in potty training mode over here! Just waiting for that little light bulb to go ON above her head. She is very stubborn and is on a time table all her own!

She will be doing GREAT and then we have big steps backwards. She'll get it... one baby step at a time! May be taking a bit longer than it did for big sis... but oh how they are their own person! Wow! Two very unique chickadees!

I am eager as can be to get my hands busy again for the shop. I am facing a server issue on my site right now. It is a big pain in the 'ol rear! I hope to have it resolved very soon... it's making me nuts! I am unable to access my site at all!!!

School was back in session today. Big sis was super excited to get back! I will say... I am so proud of her. She LOVES school... loves being around her friends... and thinks her teachers are the best! She is one smart cookie... always ready to take on the day! What a blessing!

Okay... potty training emergency... gotta run! FAST......

If you see a crazy lady running down the street... pulling out her hair... screaming at the top of her lungs... it"s ME!

loads of it

laundry... laundry... laundry.


So this was my view today (a glimpse into the laundry room)! Do you see the poster... I so love. How perfect could it be? I got it a while back from the awesome Victoria of bohemian modern style from a san francisco girl. She now has an Etsy shop (LOVE Etsy) where you can get one too. She has many colors from which to choose... see! I think we can all use the reminder to "keep calm & carry on"... I know I can!

We have a really exciting night scheduled... it's popcorn & Ratatouille! :)

Hope you are having a super weekend too!

well shoot...

i've got a great view right now...

i've got a great glass of wine...

but i don't have anyone to share. where is a girlfriend when you need one! i think i was spoiled last week... so many fun women in the house! what a joy! now... could you come back please!

it's Friday! yeah! enjoy!

i am going to go dial up some dinner... kiss on my girls... and kick up my feet!

someone stop me

Step away from the cherry cordial kisses sista! I have a real problem... if it's there... I will eat it until it's gone! Have you had them? My goodness! They're divine! Simply divine!

I have soooo many things to tackle! I bet you do too!

I need a little kick in the rear. Need some focus. I keep jumping from thing to thing to thing! Do you know what I mean? I just want to complete one thing! My head is spinning with a to do list ten miles long. My struggle today... as silly as it is... is to just check a few tasks OFF my list.

Just wanted to send a quick "cherry" kiss & smile... I'm off to jump in a dirty laundry basket!

long underwear required

A day full of fun! Powder was up to our ears at Powderhorn! I thought I might not even make it up the hill! Can we say... "time to ring in the New Year with a new rear"! I've got to get in better shape to keep up with the little chickadees! My goodness!

Big sis had a ball... even went down all by herself. She is ready to go back immediately! Little bit's first comment was... "that was so cool"! She really said that! Soooo funny! Little tough cookie!We bundled up as best we could and really had a blast. It was a brisk 7 degrees! If you ask me... it felt more like 7 below zero... I'm a chicken!

After sledding some of our group went skiing and some of us hung out... had refreshments... and laughed our butts off! I did alot of deep belly... good for the soul... laughing! It was great! I couldn't have asked for better company or a better time!

happy new yeeeeeaaaaarrrrr...