Summer Wanderings

In the last 2 weeks I have had 4 of my readers ask me where the heck I've been. I didn't know you cared. Okay. Since most of you are my friends or new friends, yes, I knew that you cared. I just haven't been around to sit down and write anything. It's been one of those summers that on the days I'm not working outside the home I've been working inside the home, having guests, traveling to the grandparents respective homes and just cleaning my house and getting the errands done. It seems like there have been more and more things to do, but it probably just seems that way because I haven't been here on many of my days off recently to keep up with everything. But. I think things are settling. We'll see. We have a vacation planned in September and that will probably throw things off again.

So, to update you a little on a few of the things that we've been doing this summer, enjoy the following:





This is our neighbor, Thomas. Lexy is somewhat in like with him. She is always beyond excited to see him, and he always hugs her and gives her the best toys. I'm still more than a little concerned.






I had completely forgotten how much fun puddle walks can be. We've had a few rainy days where if I didn't get the kid outside to burn off some of that energy I may have run out in the middle of a hurricane to escape the amount of toys on the floor. Hence, the puddle walks and the cleaning of mud off of clothes, shoes, legs, and from up the shorts (mine not hers) after particularly well aimed and monster stomped splashes.



This pool is one of the most awesome gifts that we've received. The whale is a sprinkler, which I would think most kids would love but Lexy hates. But, as you can see, she loves the whale. Oh. And the pool is more than big enough for me to get in with her. Which I have. On many occassions.



I'm not sure what to say about this one. Evenings have become creative in our household.







And Lexy's first carousel ride. She held on so tight with both hands I could see white knuckles. She had a stone face the whole way around the entire ride. She was busy watching the other kids to see what they would do. And when it was done? She came racing over to me, slammed into my legs and proceeded to tell me how much she loved it. Who knew white knuckles and no smiles translated into pure enjoyment.

I'll try and update a little more in the next couple of days. But my house is clean. And mostly organized. It still amazes me, too. And I plan on keeping it that way even if it means being more OCD than I thought I could get. So, forgive me if I'm not back to the everyday posting.

Thanks for missing me.

C-

You Know You're A Mom When...

Howdy, Y'all!

I haven't dropped in to say hello for a while, seeing as I've been in serious mourning since the USA lost to Ghana in the World Cup on Saturday. I'm talking serious mourning. Flag at half-mast, not eating for days, crying into my pillow at night, wearing black for days straight (okay, I do wear black a lot anyway) mourning. I shunned all media not wanting to be reminded of the terrible loss I was coping with. Okay, that last part isn't true. I completely had the t.v. on and did find a cute and cheesy made for t.v. movie on the Hallmark channel Sunday night.

So, that's my story. Where I've been hiding. Now, on to more important things. Like my birthday. You see, my birthday is in September and seeing as it's June and that means only 2 1/2 months until my birthday I need to be planning my lists and getting all applicable parties involved in shopping now. Just kidding. I'm not that crazy about my birthday. My parents just like to be ahead of the game. They're the type that have Christmas presents purchased over 6 months ahead of time as well. So, they've been asking what I want for my birthday.

Originally they had talked about a Vera Bradley handbag. Usually Vera Bradley bags are WAY crazy for me. Too bold, too bright and I just don't dig most of the designs. I do have one wallet and the lunch bag in a more sedate pattern, but I really kinda dig this new one:
However, as cute as this design is I couldn't find a bag that I like enough. I guess I'm just a Coach girl at heart and can't stray from my line.

So I've been thinking about what to ask my parent's for for my 21st birthday. Yes, I'm only going to be 21. Again. For the 13th time. And then, on my last trip to the mall to celebrate my mother's birthday with a fattening and sinful lunch at the Cheesecake Factory I saw the sheet set and quilt that I want for Lexy's room at Pottery Barn Kids. I know. Champagne taste on a beer budget. But, it's beach theme girl stuff. And I haven't found very much of that since I had the brilliant decorating idea 2 1/2 years ago. And everything was ON SALE. Now, as you probably now, ON SALE at Pottery Barn Kids means selling one kidney instead of two. So, instead of buying everything that wanted while I was there and it was there, I thought I'd be responsible and talk to Josh about it first and look at the budget seeing as how we have big expenses in the next few months.

And then it hit. While checking out everything on line for prices. It was SOLD OUT. Of course. Just my luck. What did I do you may ask. I begged my mother for it for my birthday. Because she might have to make a trip back to the mall and I didn't think, even if I could work out my budget, that I would be able to actually get back to the mall to buy said items. And you know what she did... bought it. From the stores after calling the online catalog number. For my birthday. The cutest sheets and quilt in the world.





The real kicker in this situation? I asked for everything in Twin size. Lexy is still in a crib, soon to be switched to a toddler bed. She won't be in a twin for I don't know how long. I won't even be able to get the joy out of seeing these in her room for probably a year if not more.

Yes. You are a mother when... you ask for things for your children for YOUR birthday just so they can have what you dream of as perfection. I can't wait for her to be a little older and tell me that she hates it. Or that she wants to redecorate in ballerinas or skateboards or horses.

Signs of Inspiration

I have a new love. Wooden signs. I know, I know. Just what my house needs: More stuff. But, see, these are for the WALLS. They don't accumulate on top of those stacks of papers and books or toys that are scattered around my house. They go up on the wall as decoration. A loophole in the "don't add to the clutter" rule that I try and follow. Okay, I don't really try and follow that. Not even close. I buy far too much stuff for Lexy and if I want a new book I tend to figure out a way to get it. But, these signs are SO much fun and are so cute on the wall. Not to mention that they can be inspirational and centering.

This is my first one.



It was supposed to be for Lexy's room, but when it came and I arranged it with the pictures that I had ordered it didn't work. Now it's in the kitchen. It's my daily reminder that I need to smile and live my life like I'm walking on the beach looking for shells. The way I want to live my life. Walking through the sand on the beach with Josh, holding Lexy's hand, looking for God's perfect little reminders that my footprints are only temporary and His creations no matter how small are more beautiful than anything I can imagine. That and it's whimsical. I'm diggin' the whimsical.

This is the second sign.



This is my new one. This is a Monkee thing (again, check out momastery, it's awesome!)... something that can remind me at 5:00 in the morning when I struggle to wake up and get ready for work that I can do it. I can make it and I can make it beautiful all at the same time. There is more than one thing that I love about this one. First, $5.00 of the sale goes to an orphanage in Uganda. How cool is that. Second, it's a quote from my friend Glennon and she is just an inspiration to me everyday. It also reminds me of some other dear friends and some new ones, and it's nice to be surrounded by things that remind me of my friends. Third, it was handmade by my new friend Kristi. I cannot believe that someone can make something so beautiful! I'm so happy to think that when I see it every morning that it will remind me of a new friend. Never enough new friends, I say. It's gorgeous and I'm trying to decide on the perfect place to hang it. I think I have it, but I haven't quiet settled yet.

The third sign I haven't bought yet. I'm saving up for it, but I full intend to order it and have it on my wall in the next month. If Kristi can make it that fast once I've ordered it. I told you she was amazing, right? This one is all about the beach. It's all the words that remind me of the ocean, the shore, the one place in the world that I have always felt that I am a whole person. She incorporates the centering nature of the ocean (sunset, lighthouse, ocean breezes) with the light and laughter and memories of my childhood (castles in the sand). It's like she created it specifically for me. It's beautiful. Did I mention that? Did I mention that I can't wait to order it and get it in my house so that I can look at it and put myself there and center myself and remember to breathe? So, I hope that Kristi doesn't mind, but if you want to check out her amazing art hit her website... although don't backlog her with so many orders that once I get the funds in order for my beach sign I can get it fast fast fast... but, you should really check her stuff out. It's amazing.

And then. I have to figure this one out, but I have a quote that I have to get up somewhere in my house. It's from the bulletin at my church today and it's an amazing reminder to do what we can, do anything that we need to, and that those things are the things that are good and right for us. So, I leave you with this for today, my beauiful friends.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be a stonger person. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks." ~Philip Brooks

Love to you all,

C-