Fingerprint Friday by Martha

Fingerprint Friday....

I thought I would share a few recent pictures that are dear to me...and especially have been moments this week that have helped me get through a difficult time since last Friday (only explaining this again so you see why Fingerprint Friday below)...I said I would move on to the best of my ability...but it was hard this week to be honest especially when I saw them twice in which they were just down right I guess "cold" {is the best way to put it} to me {and my husband on one occasion too}...so I just tried to smile and moved about my way knowing I will continue to be me and do what I know is right...{and no it wasn't intentional to see them}

last week I said I would move on ~ but WOW is was difficult this week when they were unexpected moments
...So WONDERFUL moments like those above made me surely smile and forget those times...

On to more importantly Fingerprint Friday...

I saw God in my girls getting joy out of watching the hummingbirds outside...the wind blowing in their hair...nothing like fresh air...and nothing like wonderful hugs between your children...

I decided to take part in Fingerprint Friday today started by Pampering Beki so check it out if you would like to participate...pretty neat...but I will share what she has to say about it. The following taken from Pampering Beki's site ~ but kind of where the idea started for her from this song...

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says

"I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god"

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them?

Happy Friday Everyone!

And....well...we hit the jackpot...with a gift from the smoothie place

Last weekend...well...we had a lot of items to check off that list...but you won't believe what we were just given at one of our stops...maybe the best "tell all" gift we were just given...to date...plus this post for warning is a bit scatterbrained...you'll see:)

Some back story...Friday night...we drove around everywhere "trying to get shopping done" but it just wasn't happening...we went to the wrong location and well...then when we got to the right one the kiddos just needed a break...

So we took a break...my girls LOVE smoothies...so we stopped to get them...another way to keep them occupied and happy:)

{side note....Trader Joe's has wonderful frozen fruit...that is preservative free...and just so wonderful...our favorite to make smoothies at home...well I add their vitamins to it too...Trader Joe's forzen mango pieces....a little bit of vanilla protein powder...frozen raspberries...although we sometimes get their fresh ones too but makes for a great smoothie when they are frozen....then add Trader Joe's organic strawberry yogurt....and some water and a few ice cubes....by far the BEST one the girls love so far...although their fresh blueberries I love to put in there too....but using their organic yogurt....and less ice...and some water....well it is perfect consistency for them in their Dora (it has to be Dora in our house) straw sippy cups...just mixes really well so it doesn't get clogged in the straw...that's a big deal you know if it does}

....anyway....so we stopped to get smoothies....I went to rinse out one of the girls cups because for the kiddos...we just got one for them to split...it was a one size deal...and way too much for the girls to have their own giant one...plus the lids had that circle opening on the top...and lets just say...that would have been not a good thing with Hayley if you get my drift:)....so I come back while Bobby is paying...he turns around...and not even kidding...is holding a gift from the store clerk...I guess it looked like we needed help:)....I lost it laughing...Bobby said...."I have no idea!"....he looked at what they had given them and said...

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"Well at least they are for sensitive skin...and no chemical fragrances...right up our alley!" Gotta love him...he was absolutely right...but never in my dreams did I think we would be given such a substantial amount of wipes...from someone we don't know buying smoothies...I guess and realize this is one of those stories you had to be involved to find it truly funny...

....He must have just known it was just one of those days and thought all four of us would get messy enough with smoothies to enjoy that many wipes...I mean we buy these in bulk...but never have we been given them when ordering food...I hope that wasn't some sort-of message...ya know...just kidding...we know they were just being nice...but it just made us laugh pretty hard!

Friday night trying to shop....since we couldn't find anything we needed or out of everything...Bobby breaks the news...looks like it is shopping all day tomorrow...hmmm....not really what I wanted to hear....just because clothes shopping is not my favorite thing....so as we were leaving...we came across this sign...and after the Friday morning with that not-so-friendly incident...I wanted to check out that day...and thought this sign was perfectly fitting...

The best part is...this was taken in a parking garage...and it was pointing back up the parking garage...all the way up...so....I thought....hmmm...the only alternate exit would be to go off of the parking garage...right....very...interesting...so I had Bobby do a loop around again...just to get this shot...and I told him...that option doesn't sound so bad right now...just kidding...all in good fun that one:)

Another check we needed to get done was getting Bobby new sunglasses...his last ones broke courtesy of our oldest...non-intentional LAST summer...I know...we obviously got behind...but I had to get one last picture of him in his beard too...the bet is over I guess...kind of miss it:) but he looks great without too.We had also stopped because I wanted to get a bit of a dressier dress...to me that means "not a cotton dress"...so don't be thinking formal or anything...for an event this coming weekend...let's just say my dress finds have been at a standstill because I haven't purchased any but you can see after the next week...it's black and white...so I love that it won't go out of style...at least I think right?...and we have a wedding to go to the week after...so trying to get two weeks done in one...

Of course...it was the weekend to stop by Trader Joe's since our refrigerator didn't look like it had much...bare minimums and since we were in the area....we stopped...well since we needed necessicities from there too:)...plus we can never help ourselves...Bobby made a point to say before we even got there...minimal this time Martha...well I guess he shouldn't take all of us when we are hungry huh?...they just have great finds...of course the kiddos love the free balloons and carts....juice samples...wine samples this time...

I bet you are shocked I haven't talked about Lowe's in awhile...huh?....well yes...we made that stop this weekend too...we did one last bigger reward for Madison for the week...a hummingbird feeder...she loves the one at my parents...and thought for a little treat for her reward we would do one more bigger one...and go back to the simplier ones after that you know...two more pictures demonstrating their personalities...Madison caring for it...while Hayley was trying to take it off...:)

But I tell you Bobby and I almost didn't make it last weekend...too much "trying to shop" wore us out...but it wouldn't be a weekend in our family if we didn't jam pack it....we did one last HA-RAH on Sunday at the pool...is that even how you spell HA-RAH...hmmm....water was freezing...and Bobby had to climb the fence since our lovely HOA cards didn't work...I won't even start on that topic...and you may be thinking...THANK GOODNESS:)

Just a tid bit I wanted to include from this morning...

This morning...Hayley told Madison "something"~ similar to "good" "Mornen" for "Good Morning"....it just made me smile so...and Madison smiled...I cannot believe Hayley is growing up just so...she is obsessed with Dora...Map (Dora)...shoes...her babies..dogs...belly button and everyone elses (have no idea where that obsession came from...)...she even watches Dora on her tummy now like a big girl...except I couldn't get that caught on camera yet...but I did get this of her watching Dora...all grown up...it's difficult her not being a baby...baby anymore you know...but I do LOVE how verbal she is now...

And her....well...putting Dora stickers all over her body....she was so proud of herself...

And do you want to know one of the best parts is?...she knows what trash is and where the"trash" goes...and walks our trash to the trash can and throws it away...do I have my 17 1/2 month trained or what?...but she did literally got up after I changed her diaper...said "trash"...picked the diaper up...and walked right over to the cabinet and threw her own diaper away this morning...oh YES!

Now Madison on the otherhand...well...she freaked our Parents as Teacher lady out last night...I missed it...yes...I had a mom's night out and well went to that instead of being home...hope that doesn't sound bad...but I am there for everything and well...the mom's night out sounded fun and Bobby is home for right now...so I just politely asked my husband if he would do it...I knew they both would have fun with her...they always do...and she had fun of course with her.....but other than that...she is catching on to so much...and is probably a big help training her sister how to throw trash away...and pick up toys...I can't take all the credit for that you know...Madison is a great help:)! Her biggest thing right now is this response...

"Madison...what are you up to?"(me saying that...I guess you figured that one:).....

sigh (from Madison)...."NOTHING MOMMY!....leave me alone please..."

...WOW the privacy thing already starts at age 3 1/2....but all in all the sweetest little girl...she has just been coming up to me with a hug and kiss...so nice...

On a side note...another side note...I read a post this morning...now this person's blog was up for awards and such...I didn't even know that was a possibility until I read Kasey's blog telling us we should check Blondie N' Sync out to vote for her friend...anyway...if you have a blog her post is pretty neat today...she asks her readers why they started their blog...and their blog style...I don't quite have a blog style since still just kind of starting...but I thought it was interesting nonetheless...and just made me think a bit about mine...

How many topics can I fit into one post?.....hmmmm.....one last one I promise....caught Bobby being a nosy neighbor with a solicitor going around....so had to get a picture....he's going to kill me for posting this...but I just had to do it....

Blessings from all of us...

What I like about you...

What I like about you...

Madison...

Your sister had difficulty holding her babies and moving on the riding toy at the same time...so you pushed her around the living room so very excited that you helped her...

Then you decided you wanted to join in on the fun...so you made room for 2 on the riding toy..."Look Mommy...we both are on here!"

You are the best helper with Hayley...when she gets hurt from falling or asks for her drink and you are closer you grab it for her without me saying anything...but "thank you" too you for being so considerate...

Hayley...

You looked at your sister with so much love because she was helping you out and you thought it was fun to ride with her...it made you smile and laugh...

You carry your babies in a headlock most of the time...

You LOVE to receive hugs and kisses from Madison....it always makes you smile...

I adore this picture of you two...it is so wonderful to see how most of the time you get along...you laugh so much together...those giggles are the best to hear...you play well together...you help one another out most of the time...

I love how you both just melt my heart with all the sweetness you give each other including me too...

And I cannot forget to mention those happy smiles when I compliment the both of you and tell you how much I love you...nothing compares to that!

Blessings from all of us!

Thankfulness...

I have redone this post possibly a million times in my head...and notes written down...and somehow I find difficulty in finding the right words for this...but I have decided to just let it come out as it is...sometimes the rawness is the best way to put things...not always...but possibly for this...just maybe...

I am so very thankful for my great friendships I do have...my friendships in my neighborhood...my childhood friendships...my friendships in my business and from my clients who I have gotten to know...my friendships from church...my friendships from family...so for all those reading...don't for a moment think this is about you...

Friday...was such a pleasant morning until a situation came about that was unkind to me...over time I have felt it has quite possibly become apparent it could be in fact intentional...I felt pulled backwards...I felt disappointed in them...and MOST of all disappointed in MYSELF. You ever have those kind of feelings?...

I will be honest...those initial feelings of feeling hurt crept up on me so very quickly...why did it bother me? To be honest the hard truth is...because I let it bother me...someone else perhaps hurt me...but it comes down to that I made the choice where I allowed it to continue to hurt me...just a little bump in my life...I emphasie "little" because in retrospect it is "very little"...let's face the fact...the disappointment is with me not saying..."oh well...move on"...it was just one of those things I wish I could hit the "delete" button from my life...but it isn't always so easy when your feelings are involved...

I always turn to my husband and parents for advice...my parents have always taught me to give kindness to others and even when you feel hurt by them...my husband teaches me it is about choice and not allowing things to get to me...but we all have our points when we ask ourselves when is enough...enough?

I am so thankful for that advice and for my loved ones reminding me of that with those types of situations...but my mom asked me recently..."is the friendship still worth it, Martha?"...hmmm....my initial response is "No" just because the hurt was still there from the situation...but everytime I simply come back and always say "Yes." I typically always look at the good in people...perhaps too much I sometimes am told...but when I think of it...I see so much potential with this person...because I have seen this person be great...but I have also felt the moments where I have felt put down...not good about myself around them...

So after this little "incident" I just turned to my girls who were with me...and just looked at all I had to be thankful for...them...my family...my husband...those friendships I adore...whether they are just starting...whether I have had them since I was in 3rd grade...those I have had since high school...the unconditional friendship in family...

I felt the extremes on Friday...so much thankfulness from so many people that love on me and continue to lift me up...and the other extreme of a hurt from someone...so I had to make a choice that day...to talk about it (a little bit of venting too I will admit)...to pray about it...to seek advice...and to give thanks...and to let it go...to the best of my ability...

It is funny though because I received a wonderful gift that day...from a friend in my business who always encourages me...it literally brought me to tears...she sent me a passport cover for my upcoming trip...and a beautiful book about how Encouragement Changes Everything by John Maxwell....I opened the book and read some...and came across a quote that said..."Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." ~ Albert Schweitzer

WOW...and that is why to me thankfulness was so important that day...thank you friends...all of you...and thank you family for all that you give me in return...

Again I worried about doing this post...but I did tell myself to use this blog as a tool...just as in my profile it notes...to share some of lifes not so best moments too...I didn't want this blog to always be about perfection...because I am not that at all...but I also feel there is so much sometimes we should share...even when it is difficult...

Blessings to you all...and to all your great friendships too...

THE BET....and it's for a dollar....

After Bobby came home from his work trip last time....he hadn't shaved and was just too tired to do it since he got home at 2:00 from a delayed flight and usually gets up at 5:00 to leave for work...so he just didn't shave...no complaints from me because I like him if he doesn't just as much as when he does shave ~handsome either way (mentioned in our anniversary post). Someone from his work kidded with him if he was growing a beard...well that is how the bet all started {AND with me also liking that little bit of scruffiness on my husband...I'll be honest I have been encouraging him too since I know it is hard on him...it has been interesting to see day to day with him...}.

I wanted to give his family a little peek at what their son {or brother} looks like with a beard...it's funny because his sister and mother would say "shave it off already"....and I say "keep it...just a bit longer"...for now that is...because I know Bobby isn't a big fan...

Anyway ~ he was bet a dollar he wouldn't actually grow a beard because they just know how he typically is...now when he told me he was challenged with a bet I said he definitely should do it...so he has gotten some encouragement from me since I know he is ready to trim it off. It is all about the challenge {for both of us} ~ I want to help him win...so for a dollar or not ~ I think my husband looks terrific and really like it on him!

I asked him yesterday if he was getting closer to what "winning" would be with whom he made the bet with...I guess he was told "not quite yet"...which is driving Bobby crazy because he is ready to trim it off...

In order to get some shots of him...I followed him around the house for about 15 minutes or so to get those shots {I had to come up with funny things to say in order to make him laugh to get that real smile because he kept asking me what in the world I was doing} because I KNEW he wouldn't just LET me take his picture...I told him it was a surprise...

PLUS I wanted to give him some MAJOR PROPS and share something he gave me last month or so ago....that he took the time to pick out while he was away...I thought it was really special and neat for me...and I am completely in love with it! Plus...I think he perhaps just KNEW somehow for the past year or so I have been trying to accessorize better {even before I said it in my "Dress" post}...he knows me better than I do myself....anyway... my 1st jewelry box that I am completely in love with...plus Bobby says I have no excuse for "misplacing" my rings, bracelets, or necklaces...yes...I am one of those persons that has difficulty remembering where I put my personal items like my keys, wallet, etc...definitely someone who needs a key finder because I misplace my keys EVERYDAY not to mention I forget where I take off my jewelry sometimes too...for sure on my Christmas list from my hubby...which Bobby says completely baffles him since I am so organized with everything else in my life...well a little secret...cannot seem to keep my purse/diaper bag organized...partially where I lose my keys too...you never know which pocket they may end up:)

So here it is...it has so much unique detail I just love it so....it's a beauty...the detail is my favorite part...I just stare at it sometimes and still remember he gave it to me first thing Saturday morning after coming in town...and he lugged it home on the airplane just for me...thank you again my love!

Blessings from all of us...and for all of Bobby's family who may read this...hope you liked seeing him in his beard:)

A Belated Welcome Home....

Bobby has been home most of August now...knock on wood...and I meant to do this last week...but just never got around to it...hope that doesn't sound bad...but schedules you know...Madison had a bad cough today ~ I think it is allergies but she doesn't sound good nonetheless so today was cancelled of any errands...soo....that got me thinking...we need to do something fun....get everyone some fresh air...

So we haven't painted outside in a long time...so today was the day...and in between the rain storms today...it was a blast and the kiddos has a TON of fun! I loved watching them and they made great "Welcome Home" and "I love you Daddy" signs....just perfect! It was great to just see them go at it...although it wasn't very long just because...we only had so much paint and paper...plus I was using all my potters and container outside since it was just a little bit windy to hold down the paper.

Hayley started off picking up the paint brush to use but that was about it...and then it was all over...exactly why I picked old clothes for painting...Madison used both her hands and paint brush for painting...she was concentrating much more on painting in the beginning and especially liked making Daddy something. I really think Hayley's goal was to cover her entire body...which obviously was the point today:) They started painting each other...can you guess who started that? Oh yes...Hayley started painting on Madison's leg, and Madison very much returned the favor to Hayley and put hand prints on Hayley's back too. Really cute and just innocent fun.
And the hand prints on her back....
The mess was easy because it was outside...and the kiddos went straight to the bath! The second thunderstorm washed away the paint on the driveway too. But we hung the signs which you see above...we were going to hang them outside but the rain would have ruined them...so we stuck to inside when Daddy came home...Madison was with me when we hung them and got a kick out of running underneath them in the house...and Hayley was so surprised and bent down like she would hit her head on them if she walked under them which she was 4-5 body lengths from touching the signs when hung, but she loved it too....Bobby of course was happy to see the signs hanging when he walked in...who wouldn't be...of course...I told him "Welcome Home for August!"...sorry that it was belated of course.

Possibly that could have been a GREAT segway into refinishing the dresser (see last post if you are wondering)...I should have just had the supplies ready to go...no just kidding...but this could have worked for buttering up Bobby for that....right? [Please don't tell me you have never done that before with your spouse? Well...actually I don't recall me doing that either...unless of course Bobby recalls a time...] Obviously you should know that wasn't my intention for painting today...but I just thought about it...see I am NEVER good at thinking about those things beforehand...I think men are better at buttering us up for something don't you think?...to think of it I cannot remember the last time or a time I even did that sort of thing...but the best example of that I can come up with is my Dad doing that with my mom...he had my sister and I wait outside on the front porch when my mom got home with smiles and welcomes...my Dad came across a "FREE" [I say "FREE" because my parents eventually said she was a couple grand dog by the time they had to put a fence in for her] black lab at the time and wanted to add her to our family...well he knew my mom had to agree since you know...she would eventually do a lot since my Dad was gone with coaching and such...just funny...my Mom says she still has never forgotten that moment because she knew something was up.

The picture below is where the painting on each other started... Hayley eventually just wanted the paint squirted on her hands to squeeze between her hands and occassionally get on the paper...after the girls were done on the paper they just had fun with paint all over themselves....

Blessings from all of us...

A little of this...a little of that...

What do you know...a little behind in updates...but since the dress post...I don't really feel like I have anything to say...well of course my kiddos have some cute stories...but nothing really exciting to post...so here we go...just a little of this...and a little of that...

You know it is bad when...and I really stink at putting away laundry when...

I am getting Hayley dressed for the day and ask Madison to help me out by getting a clean pair of underwear for herself...she walks straight into my bedroom to look for a pair in the clean laundry on the floor rather than her drawer in her room....I just about died when I saw her walk into my room and grab them and made me feel kind of bad that I never seem to get the laundry put away...but then I remember I am pretty good about having clean laundry...that part I always get done which is the most important. She then tells me..."I can't find a pair Mommy..." Oh I about died all over again because I certainly knew in all that laundry she had to have some clean...and she did....can't blame her for not being able to find any though...

I keep telling Bobby...you know I could quite possibly have the energy to keep up with the laundry if we got rid of that stinkin' bed in our bedroom that I cannot stand....yah right...I don't foresee that in the near future:)...but I dream right? I thought it was worth a shot mentioning it though...I cannot complain too much since it is really nice to have a bigger bed since I seem to take up most of the room when I sleep...it's just not either of our styles...it's a bit too dramatic and bold for us...I am slowly trying to freshen up our bedroom so I have a relaxing place in our house to go to at night...especially when Bobby travels.

Over the weekend we did an impromtu stop at a Pet Store that Bobby has never been to on Sunday....we usually take the girls to Pets Mart in our town when we pick up Cadence's food to just look at the birds, fish, and whatever else they may have that day...but this one has a ton of different animals. We are just looking around...when an employee asks if we are doing okay. Madison starts saying something to us or him...I cannot even remember who she was talking to and she completely flashes him by lifting her dress up...Madison gets so fidgety sometimes and cannot stand still...my face turned red because it was a complete flash...of course Bobby stands there and doesn't say a word acting like it didn't happen...the employee (kid) just didn't know what in the heck to do and thankfully walked away...while I reminded Madison that dress lifting is not appropriate [in a nice way...she didn't mean to do it obviously...]

So I have an itch to completely redo a dresser in our bedroom. I want it to look worn, beachy, maybe a little bit of color ~ a beachy color ~ so I think that may be my new project I would like to do for fun. I have never done it before but would LOVE to do it myself...I am not quite sure in the details ~ it is a small little dresser that used to be my Dad's when he was younger so I would like to keep it just update it and change the hardware...our room is brown, tan, and a pacific wave color so I would LOVE more color...so I have looked up these colors...can you help me choose? It may be my week project to do at night when Bobby is out of town next...darn...shouldn't have mentioned that in case he reads this...SURPRISE honey!

So I have also read to sand....prime the dresser...and that Benjamin Moore paint works the best on dressers because it doesn't chip when giving it that worn look when sanding again...but do I put anything over the color to protect the paint? Anyway...these colors will go in our bedroom...which do you like best? I cannot decide to go between a tan or cream color or do an actual color....because we have an almost pacific wave color in our bedroom right now...with tan...

So I am not quite sure how to share the colors...but these are the names that speak to me in colors...that would match...no I am not just choosing the colors by the names but what colors would potentially go~ the names kind of help to imagine, right?....white sand...timid white...pont beach...Onyx White...Spring Breeze...Antigua Aqua...Tropical Paradise...if you are commenting on what color please don't take the time to look them up...I know that would be ridiculous......but what do you think we should we do...a color...or cream...tan...etc?

So another reason why I really have this itch for the dresser...yes it is because I want to slowly update our bedroom...since it is the last room of the house we have done anything with...but also because I definitely used poor judgment with myself. My husband calls me an "idiot" over it. I called him a "genius" though:) I kept running on a hurt leg and now I cannot do ANY running right now...I told him I need some frustration out with a project...no running = no mental peace for mommy...in which also I got called c.r.a.n.k.y. yesterday in which I said "hey" jokingly...he responded "well...you called yourself that already." In which I wanted to respond I wouldn't be so "c.r.a.n.k.y" if my husband wouldn't take off running right in front of me...while I grudgingly had to walk...My husband then says....you know I just got off the injured list...and haven't been able to run for weeks now....which he has a point and very true...and I was running then but actually not right in front of him...he's out of town or at work...hee..hee...hee...but all in all a fair response by him....but then I replied well at least I wasn't an "idiot" and golfed with a sore chest muscle and put in our ice maker which could have cracked his rib because he really strained that muscle there....wait....I was just as much an "idiot" as he wasn't I? So....I have been icing my quad and now my hamstring since I was running on a hurt quad for a week or so and strained my hamstring now because I was so smart you know...even I hate to say it but walking the other day made it worse....ugghhhh....I have had worse injuries before so I should know better and listen to my dad and husband...ice and rest...because I rather be running even when most of the time I have to tell the girls to knock it off from bothering each other or getting in each other's space...I definitely would rather have this scenario below than no running at all....

And really this scenario too because they actually love running with me in the morning...precisely why I probably hurt myself since I do target quite a few hills on my run....and pushing 60 pounds including the stroller and the girls up the hills I do know is how I did it because I continually did the hills while it hurt...real smart you are thinking...right? I know...you can call me an "idiot" too...but it is still worth it because they love it, and I love it with them:) First thing this morning Madison says to me...."I want to go running Mommy...." "I can't today Madison" I told her. She responded "Yes you can...just very carefully...." was that not cute or what...I love that time with them though...even when I have to say "knock it off girls."
The sad part is...I don't think I can do the dresser project this week...but if I precisely pick out the color I want...I was thinking since it would be a relatively cheap update in our bedroom to be honest...I could do the project maybe this weekend....and even maybe my husband would give me a "how to sand" properly lesson for the dresser...hint...hint...Bobby:)

I promise I won't mention not running again because I know you don't want to read it or hear it again...but the blog is partially about us...and two injured parents makes for a funny time together since we are both so smart to listen to one another...

Blessings from all of us !!!! Some favorite moments of last week...

Sweet Madison took naps this week...and oh she is a sweater too...but I haven't taken a sleeping picture in quite awhile...just it was so sweet to me...just one of those moments...even though I will be looking forward to Mondays in the fall because I won't have any kiddos since they both will be at school...I am still going to miss them...Hayley first thing in the morning....eating one of her favorite fruits...bananas...you can see how excited she was about it...love it...So...Hayley coloring...I have tried so many times to have her sit to color...but all she ever wants to do is eat the crayons...I needed something for her to do while I cooked dinner...so I thought I would try these crayons that were fun....plus it only has the point of the crayons sticking out...so I thought less she could eat, right?...she did a really great picture on our refrigerator...still ate some of the crayon...but nonetheless did the best with these crayons...it's funny the difference between even children of the same sex...Hayley I have to continually figure out ways for her not to get into things...(like her Daddy:) and ways to not eat crayons...she keeps me on my toes...

A few more...thanks Julie!

Just a few more images Julie e-mailed me from the botanical gardens...taken by her of course...so I thought I would share them...by far my favorite of Hayley and Madison....Hayley in the water just as she loves it and Madison...just enjoying herself...
Blessings from us! And Happy Monday...Monday is never my favorite day...I think I will act like it is Friday again:)

Dresses...

A moment to share...perhaps...

a bit nervous...just because this is out of my comfort zone to share personal things about me...so here we go...

I different sort of post today...I have been wanting to do this post for quite some time...just a topic and my personal thoughts...and me sharing a bit about me...but just never knew exactly how to do it...but after talking with my friend Julie about this...I was saying..."No, way...really...you too!?!?!?!" I told her I definitely had to do this post now!

At the beginning of this year...I didn't make a resolution...I honestly never do...it's not because I don't keep them...I just never want to wait to start things for the beginning of the year...I am just the type that normally likes to "Just do it!" if it is something I want.

Everyday I just "try" to work on things...notice "try" because I am never perfect...I don't like start dates like January 1st...I like start dates the "next day"...I just think once I want to do something...work on something...or want to change something...I want to start then typically...

BUT...this year...sometime towards the beginning of the year I "kinda did...yah...sorta...made one" ...

I think I will start wearing more dresses...I told myself....

For me...that's a BIG deal...

You see I love my jeans...and shorts during the summer because I definitely inherited the "sweating" gene from my father...and for those that know me the longest...I was a tomboy...a simple girl growing up...SO...my goal isn't to change myself...but just add a little bit...because I want to...for for fun...So this picture is just for fun...I have never taken one just with me in it...that is why my business cards aren't the best...I love my family and just want pics with them...not by myself...remember don't look too close...because I don't iron...but I felt as though I had to bring jeans into somehow...and I didn't want to just surf the internet scanning pictures...I wanted it real life...

I see it as something fun...a challenge you may say...to myself...challenges I can do...because I am NOT a great accessorizer, shoe picker outer...etc....but I wanted to have some fun when doing this post...

As for my husband...he really doesn't care either way...at least I don't think...and he still loves me...he actually doesn't quite know I even decided this...I wasn't keeping it from him...but just something I wanted to do by myself...without announcing it (I guess until now). It is sorta-fun...and a challenge for sure...because I am learning...by myself...how to do this. Some who recently know me...may wonder "what?" I didn't know anything other...part of what I do in business does deal with the "girlie" side...how ironic and funny is that ...especially to my family they have told me...I promise in a nice and fun way they joke with me...they just laugh...

But I will share a bit with you...my transition to wear more dresses...slowly but surely it is nice to be a bit more girly in a way (I know some of you are thinking you don't need a dress to be girly...but I hope you get my point...because for me it is:)...and I wanted to do something different and fun and learn how to pick them out...

So when Julie visited...she said the same thing to me...before I said anything...I just about died...not really...but my jaw dropped for sure...and a bit of relief that I wasn't doing something ridiculous...don't get me wrong...I like to think I am decent when it comes to attire for work engagements...well except for wrinkles in my clothes (we all know that is NOT my best thing ironing and laundry)...the sad thing is...Bobby isn't either...I always tell him you obviously didn't marry me because I do laundry, ironing, and folding clothes for SURE...and he has the exact same response to me...the one thing we BOTH are bad at...so we just laugh:)

So here we go...I wanted to share...some I have worn...I even have made little commitment to not add any clothes but dresses to my closet unless it is to replace a necessity...don't get me wrong...on a daily basis I love to pick out jeans...khaki type shorts...capris sometimes...LOVE my pajamas too...I will always be that way and don't want to change it...but just want to expand my thinking about my clothes above pants...dress paints... shorts... jeans...etc.

So here are a few I have worn...

One of my new fav's...I just like the cut...it's comforting:)

More cute than anything...because I wear black tights with it
A fun one...because depending on my mood...with or without the little sweater...maybe the most comfortable one I have...simple cotton...
One I especially got for my conference back in April...nice to be a little dressy with my husband

Some fun fall ones...I'll have to find brown boots for this...
I do have black boots I like to wear this one with...
What I have learned....

I may have kind of a girlie side tucked in me the entire time...

I want to share more on this blog than just about my beautiful family...real life things on my mind...I'll try...my thoughts typically aren't that interesting...

I need to expand my wardrobe beyond my color comfort zones such as brown...black...gray....however...you did see I had a pink one...the red one~ that was a big step....

Dresses are cooler to wear in hot weather...

...and actually pretty comfortable too...

...and did I even mention skirts...just kidding...I just have one I like to wear...

Blessings from me today to you! Happy Dress Shopping!