An update for when I'm old.

Okay, I'm sorry for the long update to everyone on the happenings at our house! Actually it's an update for me to look back on years down the road. I need to be better about documenting these precious years with Little Mister. And this blog feels like the place to do it. So consider yourself warned... this post is a peek inside our home life.

I swear this child is doing something for the first time each day. I tried to brush his teeth earlier and he screamed, "NO MOM!!!" which is new for us. He doesn't really speak in sentences. Especially when he's frustrated. Sunday over breakfast, he casually said, "Thank you, Mom" when I set his breakfast down in front of him. It was the sweetest sound ever.                                                                          
Of course, as with most toddlers, he makes some not so sweet sounds, too. When he gets frustrated at something and can't figure out how to verbally express himself, he just grunts or screams. Loudly. It can be quite deafening. But overall, he's a happy little dude.                                                                  
Although he loves watching golf and football - and learning to swing his club/kick a ball - he also happens to know choreography for more than one Wiggles song. I have to admit, this kid's got rhythm. He can "Rock-a-bye Your Bear" like nobody's business. But for Mister's sake, I hope he takes more of an interest in sports than kick-ball-changes and shuffle-steps.

He loves to run. Fast. If I turn my head to say hello to the neighbor, it's highly likely I'll turn back around to see him halfway down the sidewalk, arms out screaming, "Birrrrrr" at the pigeons he's about to scare. Or whatever they are.

Okay, that's enough for now. Don't be surprised if there's another one of these in the not-so-distant future. I can't trust my brain to recall these mushy memories when I'm old.

Anyone in Dallas wanna buy a home?

We're putting our house on the market, and my back aches. I wasn't prepared for the prep work needed to make a home ready for the world of MLS. When is the last time you cleaned out your bathroom drawers? Or the pots & pans cabinet? Or the laundry room? Or that musty space under the deck where who-knows-what is lurking? It's eye opening. I'd rather be at the dentist.

A. We clean our house every week.

B. We're sanitary.

C. After what I saw, I was disgusted with myself. Mostly for the amount of dust and grime, and a little for the amount of huffing and puffing required from cleaning places and things that (clearly) get overlooked.

D. One could assume (correctly) that a couple spots in the house hadn't been cleaned since we moved in.

E. And I seriously swear...we clean the house every week. Mister is a bit of a neat-o cleaner.

F. I sincerely hope by the time we move again, we'll be silly rich and can hire someone to come in and do all this for us. And for the record, if I am ever silly rich, I would very much like to hand it out - Dumb & Dumber style...when they're in Asssssspen.

We had to take photos to post on our listing...and I played around with a couple of them. I'm easily amused by with the app store.

Sissy's Southern Kitchen & simply splendid vintage

mom in '74  & me at Sissy's Southern Kitchen

Thank goodness my mom held onto this most cherished little dress of mine. Or hers, I should say. And is it weird that I've named her Ruby? Yes. Regardless, Ruby made her debut in the photo above at my dad's 10 year high school reunion. Fast forward 30 years to me...in her closet...hunting for treasure. Blammo! What a treasure, indeed! I love this dress. I look for excuses to wear it. But on Friday night, no excuse was necessary - it was the perfect dress for dressing "in my southern best" for Sissy's Southern Kitchen's Grand Opening Party. (And by the way, I think my mom wore it best!!)

On a side note, Dallas locals…I can't say enough about the mouth watering food served that night. I couldn't stop eating the crab cakes, deviled eggs, spare ribs…and perhaps the best fried chicken I've ever had. You must stop in at Sissy's…it's simply splendid.

in a different light

I love good conversation. Especially with loved ones. And I'm rarely the one with nothing to say. I always have something to say, which I'm sure is annoying to the Mister. But the other night at my parents house, I was the weird, quiet one in the corner...the whole evening. It had been forever since I'd looked at old photo albums and I seriously think I spent hours on the couch, head down and knee deep in pictures. It was fascinating.


1. My mom was beautiful. She is beautiful. But I'm used to seeing the 65 year old mom each week. Seeing her at 20, 25, 35...she was so pretty. And stunning. And I don't think she has any idea.

2. She had great taste and wore her style well. I'm devastated she didn't hold onto more of it for my sister and I to fight over.

3. Why didn't she keep their furniture & decor, either?

Which brings me to my next point. Yes, that's me in the picture...but more importantly, how cool is that headboard??? This is a good reminder for me to hold onto things so one day, my grown children can have them. (I sound like a candidate for Hoarders.)

Anyway, I wanted to share how cool it was to see my parents in a different light. I found myself wanting to go back to the 70's and be friends with them. The looked to me like they lived life to the fullest and had a ball doing it.

DIY Advent Calendar

Sometimes Christmas decorations are, well, not exactly in line with our chic taste for decor. Speaking of chic, Finley at Mommy Chic shares a fabulous idea for a modern, DIY advent calendar. It's definitely appearing at our house next Christmas...Thanks, Finley!

Read more about it HERE.

Go-go gadget legs...

How is it that, despite always wanting them, it's my son that got them. Long legs. I've come to appreciate the not-so-long variety. I mean, might as well. They're not going anywhere and if they ever did, I would sure miss these shorties. But back to the story - Little Mister has what I like to call, go-go-gadget legs. And today he used them to crawl out of his crib.

crawling & climbing all over the stairs
at our family photo shoot.

*photo courtesy of the
lovely lady at Recently

Just like any other day, I put him down for his afternoon nap, and immediately retreated to my favorite stomping ground (my desk, not a bar.) He cried for a minute or two and then...quiet. About five minutes later, I heard a big bump, and I considered going in his room to check on him - but with no teary sounds of pain...or any cries whatsoever...I went back to work on my super import (insert a little sarcasm) tasks, as usual.

It was about that time that I heard a sweet little noise, and turned around to see him peeking around the corner at me, with a grin the size of his pillow pet and a bright red, left cheek...which I later realized was the party favor from trying to party outside the crib. I truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Oh mercy, what do the days ahead hold for us? (please say they hold at least a little bit of sleep!!)

Little Mister

I realized yesterday that I haven't posted pics of Little Mister in a while! So I'll make up for it with the following 38 photos from our trip to the Arboretum this week. Just kidding. Although I don't think the number is all that far from 38.

Hey, Bert...

Four years ago tonight was the best night of my life...with the exception of the night Little Mister was born.

September 22, 2007 was the day I became the Mrs. to my Mr.

Happy Anniversary, Mr. We go together like Bert and Ernie.

No really.

You're Bert. I'm Ernie.

big, brown eyes...

I couldn't help myself. I had to have a post exclusively about Little Mister.

A couple days away and time for myself is necessary, I realize. And don't get me wrong, I've loved every second of sitting waist-deep in the river with a cold beer in my hand, good company around me and old country music playing in the background. But I also have moments where suddenly I think of him and those big, brown eyes...
and I just want to squeeze him.

Incredibly grateful for my Labor Day weekend. But I'm anxious to get my hands on this kid.

to your health...

vintage
thirst quencher

let's cheers, shall we? to our health. loosing it, all be it temporarily, has been a huge reminder to live each day to the fullest, not taking an ounce of it for granted.

our entire household was hit the stomach bug over the weekend. i'll spare you details, because i know you little lovelies can conjure up plenty of (unsightly) images all on  your own. myself, mr. and little mister all suffered through several days of unpleasant discomfort. i finally feel back to normal today. praise God!

this post is my reminder. to live each day with a grateful heart - for my health and the health of loved ones. i have a new determination not to take it for granted. with this being said...i have a sneaking suspicion that in a day or two, i'll be back to making the same old excuses for not exercising, not being mindful of what i put in my body...not embracing the awesome fact that i'm able-bodied to tackle those projects around the house i deem "heavy lifting" - sigh.  this is discouraging. but He who is in me...is GREAT!

dear heavenly Father, 
thank you for blessing me and my family with our health...and thank you for those times that remind us not to take this gift for granted. please help us to live with an awareness that the health You've given us so generously enables us to do amazing things. please empower us to take full advantage of our abilities and strive towards greatness through your strength...

someone fix me a chicken dinner...

'cause I'm a winner!  Thanks to Real Posh Mom for sending me On Becoming Toddler Wise - I can't wait to read it. Visit her blog to find great recipes, daily deals and "in-the-know" info on Dallas. Enjoy!

splendor in the grass

this photo makes me happy.  it also encourages me to continue working on a spirit of gratitude.  it's so easy to focus on the negative and lose contentment. someone else's grass will always be greener, bigger, prettier more together, less of a mess, more disciplined, less lazy, wealthier, in better shape - i'll stop here because this list is long.  but when i see this photo of my son and husband, i'm reminded that God has placed some amazingly green grass in my very own yard.  today i choose to be thankful for what he's given me...his word, a healthy child, a husband who cleans the house, a healthy marriage strengthened (not shattered) by hard times, a soft bed, loving parents, siblings and in-laws...and the most amazing friends a girl could pray for.  oh and four days in destin with a few of them - starting tomorrow. 

lakewoodstock 2011

My first editing project!  It's a little shaky...so don't watch if you're going through morning sickness.  I have a lot to learn and hope to get better software one day...but for now...here's my first video using iMovie '11.  Practice makes perfect...I hope.  

      

splendid early morning walk

love is in the air

Happy Valentines Day! This is from my post on www.dallaschildbaby.com - ENJOY!

There’s a new valentine in town. Tell your significant other not to fret, they’ll still receive your standard gift of golf balls, boxers and a letter of love…hand-written and heartfelt, of course. But a new baby in your life means you’ve fallen in love all over again. Why not send a bold sentiment to your tiny valentine this year with Jonathan Adler’s L O V E pillows. Creative, colorful and consistent with his ever-amusing and witty design style, they’re the perfect way to express just how nuts you are about your baby. Not to mention just how nuts you are about the cheeky flare of cheer they add to the nursery.

Available online at www.jonathanadler.com