I tried to narrow it down to eleven images, but I just couldn't do it. Happy 11th Anniversary to my favorite. Every year is the best with you. 7 year post // 8 year post // 9 year post // 10 year post Just case you aren't Facebook friends with my sweet husband, this was his status this morning: I admit. I have a secret smile. Eleven years ago today we said “I do” and I had a secret smile. I smiled because I knew she was the one for me. The one that would make me happy and the one that I could make happy. I smiled because she was fun. I smiled because she was true. I smiled because she knew me. We started our lives together and we laughed and we cried. And I smiled because no matter what we went through, she was there and that’s all I needed. We had children together and I smiled. ...
Another Beach Post
Remember back in June when I blogged about our disastrous Father's Day experience? It seems that is as far as I ever got with the vacay recap, so here is a quick tour through our annual camping trip. There was a lot of DVD watching and iPod playing, plenty of beach sitting and ray catching, a few serious faces thrown around, lots of smiling and laughing, some white powdered donut breakfast-ing, some beach sleeping and ice cream cone eating, sunset watching and cousin talking. There was even some dancing and tank top wearing by these two, and lots of goofing off by these two. There was splash pad playing, and picture posing, daddy burying, and even some mommy burying, couple cheesing, and family loving. ...
Ebb & Flow
I've gone through many friendship changes in my life, both challenging and rewarding. I had girlfriends growing up and in high school, but I don't see most of them at this stage in my life and our contact is sporadic. I talk to my best friend several times a week, but we don't get to have much face time. We do the best we can with children and careers and an hour's drive between us, but I miss her. I had many great friends in college, some whom I still talk to regularly and some I haven't heard from in years. Earlier in my marriage, I was a part of a wonderful women's group at our church who really mentored me as a young woman. I learned so much about life and marriage and children and they held me together during a really dark battle with infertility. As much as we needed each other at ...
Dailies / Week 31
211/365: On Monday, I finished up Ella's birthday invitations and added folding laundry to her chore list. Can we talk about what a REVELATION it has been to have her folding tiny laundry. #lifechanging 212/365: Seriously. It must not have happened. 213/365: On Wednesday, Ella had her first eye exam. We were worried after observing her over the summer, that she might need glasses. Fortunately, everything looked normal and we only left with plastic sunglasses. I couldn't decided if she was disappointed or not! 214/365: On Thursday, I made this cute little graphic for my August goals and got a Fitness Friday post all ready for the weekend. BECAUSE, I was headed to the beach. 215/365: The Hangout in Gulf Shores with friends. 210/365: Lulu's for dinner with friends. 211/365: Shrimp ...
Girls of Summer
I love to travel with my husband and there is nothing like introducing your children to your favorite places on earth - but, there is something to be said for weekend trips with your girlfriends where the only person you are responsible for is yourself (and your friend, but only if a man in a bandana tries to pick her up on a Harley). I had the immense pleasure of spending this past weekend in Gulf Shores with four of my favorite friends. There is no possible way to recap the entire weekend and I'm not sure I would want to if I could. We waited two plus hours both nights for dinner, we danced, we misplaced debit cards, we walked miles for an ice cream, got kicked out of the pool by a security guard, got pulled over and yelled at by a real cop, bought clothes, had a couple of near-death ...
My Little Thief
People ask us all the time why we call her Taz. Sometimes they seem a little offended on her behalf that we would do such a thing. Just look at her face. Can't you see it? That little sparkle in her eye. The hint of mischief in her smile. The wheels are always turning and you can tell she's just looking for something to get herself into. We don't have to discipline her often. Beyond taking out every single toy she owns at once and running around with the cat by her neck, she doesn't get into much trouble. She minds well enough for three years old, she is perpetually happy, sleeps well and is fiercely independent. We've noticed over the last several weeks, however, that she's a thief. In the beginning I would have said she was a hoarder. Every purse and bag or anything that has space to ...
Dailies / Week 30
204/365: I was FINALLY able to do a freestanding headstand by myself at yoga! I had some friends spotting me, but I was strong enough to hold it all by myself. 205/265: On Tuesday, Josh & I helped the girls make a body parts chart in Spanish because he wants them to learn a second language. After they were sound asleep, I ran over to snuggle the little one all by myself. 206/365: On Wednesday, I ran a virtual 5k at lunch to celebrate Marta's birthday! She's my beachbody coach and a wonderful fitness inspiration. Then I grabbed Urban Cookhouse for dinner on the way home and we took it over to K's. Again. And there was more snuggle time. Are you sensing a theme. I honestly have no idea what happened to Thursday and Friday. They disappeared. I mean, we must not have done ...
Dailies / Week 29
197/365: After a week post-vacation, I finally felt like I was in the groove of things. Shakeology for breakfast and good runs for lunch. 198/365: Tuesday night was our cousin Molly's birthday and we had ice cream and cake to celebrate. I can usually say no, but when the chocolate cake/white icing makes an appearance along with mint chocolate ice cream, I have no restraint. 199/365: Wednesday morning I got in a few more miles. I was getting ready for Mayer's newest album and had been listening to my favorites that week. Those are lyrics from one of my favorite songs. 200/265: Even though Killer the Cat lives outside, she likes to come in and play when we get home in the afternoons. She is such a cutie and we've not had a single accident inside (that we know of). I caught her lounging ...