Slow Down

Is anyone else feeling like their life is on a runaway train, speeding and careening rapidly out of control? That has been me lately. Too much to do, not enough time to get it done...this week as I hurried to get the kids lunch & was busily running about the house completing this task or that, I happened to glance over at little B who fell asleep right here:

This is something each of my kids has done about ONE time in their little lives...they like to sleep in their BEDS & pretty much no where else. So I was surprised to see her like this. Poor sweet baby. So scooped her up, cuddled her, buried my nose in her chubby little neck, smelled that delicious baby smell & then tucked her into bed.

I think it is time to get off the train, or at least slow it down.

April Fools

Miss Z was WAY into foolin' this year. In fact this is the first time she has actually really "got it". She came home from school yesterday saying, "Guess what??? Tomorrow's April Fool's Day! We get to trick each other!" Then she proceeds to gear up with all her silly jokes. Here is a small sample of what we heard today...

(as we are driving) "Mom, there is a lizard crossing the road!!!! ..........April Fools!"

"Hey Mom, there is a tree growing in our house.......April Fools!"

"Mom, look out the window, it's snowing! .............April Fools!"

"Watch out Mom, there's a spider on your head! ..............April Fools!"

"Moooom, don't look now, there is a monster behind you! ...........April Fools!"

(in case you were wondering, it was crazy hair day.)

Silly girl. :)

A Good Day

I must say it has been a positively lovely morning for me. Why, you might ask...after all it is Monday...weekend is over...back to the grind. Actually I really like Mondays. Monday is usually my cleaning day & I love a clean house. Monday means we get back to our schedule & I love being on schedule. Monday means family night, which our kids LOVE & which always brings me back to what is most important. HOWEVER today is an unusual Monday.

This morning I got to hang out with one of my VERY bestest friends in the world...the divine Miss J...who has been my friend for over 20...yes 20....years. We got PEDICURES!! I love pedicures, but never get them because I can't justify the expense. However, today I had a gift card from my birthday (thanks R&C!!) and so I indulged. I even got a flower put on....oh frivolous me.

I am eating chocolate covered strawberries at this moment, which I received yesterday from a church friend...mmmmmmmmmm!

I steam cleaned the carpets over the weekend and so, even though I haven't done my usual Monday cleaning, my house still looks good.

My babies are napping peacefully and the house is absolutely still...minus the sound of my fingers tapping away on the keyboard.

The weather is still absolutely HEAVENLY, breezy & 75 degrees.....blissful!

I've even had a chance to read a chapter from my latest book club book, the ORIGINAL Phantom of the Opera while snuggling with little L as he fell asleep.

Just now my sweet friend Jenny O. dropped off the most darling little dress for Baby B that her little girl has grown out of. I'm so excited cuz Jenny has GREAT taste.

And all is right with the world.

Happy Monday!

Bursting

Her smile, so big it seems to be just bursting out of her with unbridled joy.

You know that feeling when your heart is so full, it feels like it is about to burst? That is how I feel when I see this face...bursting.

I have always loved this quote & I think it is appropriate for me today:

"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart walking around outside your body."

~Elizabeth Stone

So true. Love you B.

Happy Birthday Daddy

31 years ago today I was a birthday present for a very special person, my Dad. I was the first, you see, and born only 5 days before his birthday, talk about an awesome present! ;)

Through the years my Dad has taught me much about life...especially hard work, persistence, a positive attitude, faith, family and forgiveness.

Not to mention the joy of shoe shopping. ;)

I love you Dad, thank you for the example you are to me.

Happy Birthday!

P.S. As I prepared to write this post, I discovered that the only pictures I have of you are carving the turkey at Thanksgiving...which, as you can see, leave a little to be desired. heeheehee. Watch out, my camera & I will be on the prowl!!

Easter EGG-stravaganza

I love Easter. I love its meaning, I love that spring is in the air, the flowers are blooming & the world is reborn. New dresses, egg hunts & lots of family time, what more can you ask for.

One thing I really enjoy each Easter is coloring eggs with the kids. I love the great colors, I love watching my kids faces light up as they watch an ordinary white egg turn to pink, purple, blue and every color in between. Plus it is a great opportunity for picture time.

This year we hung out at grandma's house with the cousins & had a great time coloring eggs & ourselves in the process.

Group shot of my kiddos...don't you love how they all look my way???

Sweet cousin E's first Easter...

My bunny, little B...ain't she cute?!?!

Little cousin A always runs away when I point the camera his way, caught this one though. He & B look so much alike, they could be siblings...

Now we get down to business...

I LOVE this face!!!

Now, why does it seem like I always get a shot like this??? Hmmm, wonder if my kids ever get sick of being photographed?

Little A managed to color his toes too, and his face and his shirt, etc, etc, etc....hahaha, good times had by all.

Happy Easter!!

31 Things About Me

Soooo, yeah, it's my birthday...gosh they aren't quite the same as they used to be when I COULDN'T WAIT to get another year older. These days I'm happy if the kids are good & I don't have to cook...both of which are working out pretty well so far, minus B not feeling too well...but that is the life of a mom, right? Anyways, I thought I'd share a few tasty tidbits about myself, just in case you wanted to know. (I know you are on the edge of your seat, aren't you?) So without further adieu...31exciting insights into yours truly. (Betcha can't guess how old I am can you)...

1. My favorite color is green...pretty much all shades.

2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE photography...but you already knew that.

3. I clip coupons & subscribe to CouponSense.

4. I watch VERY little TV, but my one guilty pleasure is Grey's Anatomy, however, since the writer's strike I've been enjoying American Idol.

5. My favorite thing about people is their EYES. The windows to the soul. It is my favorite thing to capture in photographs (second oddly enough is feet--especially baby feet). They tell so much about a person (their eyes that is, lol).

6. I very much ENJOY silence...I hear it soooooo rarely.

7. I will buy anything generic EXCEPT Tide, Downy & Bounce...there is NO substitute for CLEAN, FRESH smelling laundry.

8. I wish I had a better sense of style....sometimes I just feel dorky.

9. I have a bad habit of beginning projects & never finishing them...thus my new years resolution of "being a finisher"...its going....uhhhh....ok. :)

10. I LOVE bubble baths, especially when its cold outside, with a treat & a good book.

11. One of my favorite nights of the month is Book Club. I LOVE to read & I LOVE my book club girlfriends!! They are sooo fun.

12. My worst habit: Biting my nails, especially when I'm anxious. I hate that I do this.

13. I am VERY nonconfrontational. I hate to fight or hurt people's feelings.

14. I think scrapbooking is fun...I especially love the paper, but I can never find time to do it.

15. I waste most of the little free time I have on the computer, especially on photography boards and blogs or playing around in PhotoShop.

16. If I could afford to decorate my whole from Pottery Barn....I SOOOOOOOOO would.

17. There are few things more satisfying to me that a clean house, especially the refrigerator, kitchen sink & toilets...who knows why.

18. I LOVE date nights with my husband. I talk his ear off.

19. Someday I want to travel the world (& take lots of pictures of it).

20. I have a HUGE sweet tooth. Dangerously huge, especially for chocolate, so I was seriously excited when my kiddos brought these (hand picked I might add) into me this morning...

21. I love surprises, giving & receiving....lucky me my sweet hubby surprised me with a night out tonight! Thanks honey! I even got to have my favorite food which is...

22. LOBSTER. I LOVE lobster. I also love scallops & crab. Seafood ROCKS!!

23. I love just talking with my kids. They say the most hilarious, thought provoking & surprising things everyday.

24. I am a registered nurse, specializing in Labor & Delivery, although I haven't worked in 2 years. Someday I will go back.

25. I LOVED school, especially college.

26. I am obsessive about gift wrapping. I love cute wrap, matching ribbon & making matching handmade cards.

27. Although I only have it a few times a year, I LOVE Cherry Coke...mmmm had one today (for my birthday of course!)

28. I love color. I have NO white walls in my house. Ok, actually, the closets are still white.

29. I enjoy burning yummy smelling candles, especially Gold Canyon ones. My favorite scents are spicy ones like Cinnamon Vanilla.

30. I am astounded by beauty in the world every day, from the mountains to the clouds in the sky, to the color of the flowers, to my baby's smile, I notice.

31. I'm ok with being in my thirties. :)