Her Cup Runneth Over

It had become very apparent that Grace was needing some "alone time". Two years of being big sissy was wearing thin. Her cup needed some fillin'. So fill he did. Daddy stepped in with a Daddy/Daughter camping trip. One night. One tent. One child.

She did a little runnin'
And some jumpin'...

And some climbin'....

They treated Mother Nature to a Clean Up....

.....and her cup was full again.

I don't blame her. Being a big sis is kind of hard sometimes *(so I've heard!)

kid riting

i luv kid riting. its so kewt. Grace luvs to rit lists for me win i go grosere shoping. She wil rite thangs lik alppol joos, sireol, and cuchup. Defunetly a mommy in traning.

Grace & friends doing "Big Girl" homework.

Sophie...not so much.

So-Pee's Birthday!

January birthdays are a little challenging. Grace's May birthday is easy - great weather, everyone's ready to be outside, they've been a breeze to plan. So far, both Sophie's birthdays have been at home, inside, with just family. I'm glad she's still too young to realize swimming parties and picnics outside aren't gonna happen without some relocation!

It didn't matter though. As soon as she saw her cake, she yelled, "Happy!". That made momma happy. I was glad this sweet snowy cake could make her smile.

Cousin party goers

About to Blow!

She had no trouble feeding herself this year - sniff....

We love you very much, So-pees!

To Build a Fire

One of my favorite short stories is To Build A Fire by Jack London. Today, we did build a fire. Not for survival. Not out of neccessity. But simply because....it was cold and we wanted to hear the embers crack and the flames simmer. It's our first fire in this house.

It's been a long day. Norah Jones wrote her song strictly about my day today. Birthdays, family, workout.....all of which I'm going to post, but just not now.

On tap right now? Me. My "uniform" (pj's, sweatshirt, and thick socks). My hubby. A glass of vino. Maybe a dvd. But definitely some fireside time. Sounds perrrrrfffeccct.

Two Years

How can two years fly by so fast? It seems like I was just looking at your sweet profile on my sonogram the other day. You had the sweetest face. We picked out the name "Sophie" so quick. It wasn't a name I had ever thought about, but somehow, we just knew it would fit. Carrying you was easy. You would roll in my stomach. Wait, scratch that. Not roll like a gentle wave. More like tumble, like a budding gymnast. I knew you would be very different from your sister......she tossed and turned in even, smooth motions. You are feisty. You are sweet. You are quick to give a kiss, but only to those you really love. When you cry, we all cry. It's so hard to see that face in tears - sissy hates it. And talk.....you talk. I can figure out most of it, but not all. I just know it's very real to you... and listening to you sing in your bed at night. The highlight of my evening....

You love your sissy. Your blanky. Your bed. Your sleep.

And we love you. Happy Birthday (tomorrow!) Sweet, Sweet Sophie Girl!

Not My Story To Tell....

...but since my father-in-law doesn't have a blog to share it, I'm certain he won't mind me hijacking his story. It paints a perfect picture of how God IS into the small things. We often....okay, I often....cast Him aside until I "really" need Him. Something is wrong. Someone's sick. I need direction, and so on.

But it's clear....and gettting clearer everyday....that God masterminds the tiniest details. The smallest note. He gives us glimpses of His perfect sonnet with stories such as this:

My husband hadn't been hunting with his dad in several years. It was a tradition of theirs to travel together down to Sonora, where I've heard, the stars are so luminous at night you can't even fathom you're still in Texas. Their trips began when he was eight, and the trips down were as memorable as the actual hunt. In Sonora, Boog's dad had over time found a collection of arrowheads....big, small, perfect, imperfect.....so much so, that they now fill about four large drawers in their house. They're beautiful. But Boog had never found one. Not one in all their hunting years. And my husband is a spotter. He sees everything.

Finally in Sonora together after a few missed years, they were each in a different location on this five thousand acre ranch. My father-in-law said he was by himself, and prayed to God that his son would find an arrowhead that day. That alone floors me. Simple prayers.

That same day (and they figured afterward around the same time) Boog stepped out of his stand, looked down, and right in front of him perched on top of a rock....so clear he couldn't believe he had missed it climbing into the stand....was a beautiful, perfect arrowhead. His first in over two decades of hunting down there.

I have no doubt that God enjoyed hearing the simple, sweet prayer of one of his own. Like I enjoy hearing Grace's innocent prayers. And He graciously bestowed a blessing....as little as it may have seemed. In my mind, I picture God making it all happen with a smile, too. Delighted to give simple joy.


I love this story. I'll always remember it.....

Giada!

There's no denying that I'm a little envious. This lady can not only cook, she has her own cooking show where she travels the world, and she's perfectly beautiful. Well, I might not can travel the world for a living.....I might not be drop dead gorgeous....but I can try to cook like Giada.

And try I did!

Giada's Chicken Tettrazini
(I actually chopped up Italian parsley! Ha!)

I made it! It was pretty good, too!

I had a few friends over to help chow down.
Thanks Giada, you can keep your day job!
You can find the recipe here.

Saving Grace

Many of my friends know that I have been plagued with mouth ulcers for more than a year now. I've tried everything. Salt water, lysine (worked for a bit, but didn't last), prescription mouth washes, zinc, Vitamin C, you name it. My doctor, and everyone else, blame them all on stress. I have to believe that, yes, stress is a big factor. But that just couldn't be it....I'm really not stressed out! I don't walk around frazzled.....

SO. This past month it got to a breaking point. I counted sixteen ulcers two weeks ago. SIXTEEN. In my mouth. Something had to go, or my sanity would. So after Googling even more....and getting past all the "you're dying" diagnosis......I came across a blog of a lady who's story sounded like mine. Lots of ulcers, no remedies. And she had found her cure.

To make a long story short, I am now on week two of following a regimen of: 1 Pearl tablet a day (see picture...it's supposed to put the "good" bacteria back in your system that can be diminished from antiobiotics and such), taking a 1 a day mulitvitamin, and swishing twice a day with a non-alcoholic mouthwash. I feel 90 years old, but lo and behold, within a week....mouth ulcers are down to maybe one. Two if I really try to tongue around ; )

So....I don't have a huge blog following, but I thought I would at least post this just in case you 'know someone' who might suffer from these terrible, irritating creatures! (A side note: We are also mostly finished with the remodel....as I was telling my hubs...I'm not sure which one to attribute the cure. Remodel finished or this routine.) I'll keep on doing this though...just to be sure.

Flo Funk

You ever just had one of those days where not much could make you smile? Now I smile alot. Alot, alot, alot. I probably smile too much. It's not a fake smile (I hope), but it comes from a place of why not smile? I'm usually thinking about the great blessings I have...like my kids. My husband. My health (minus my many mouth ulcers!). My home. Good things. Great things.

But, if I'm gonna be honest folks, these past few days I've been more of a Debbie Downer than a glass half full type gal.

Honk if you've been here. My job stinks right now...kiddos are not behaving according to my standards (will they ever??). My hubs and I are in the "wearen'tquiteconnecting" phase (tell me I'm not the only one who's ever there). I haven't worked out in days - strike that...weeks. Strike that...months. I just got my new Athleta catalogue and boy did that make me feel good! And.....I'm just going to say it. I've been avoiding God like the plague. Ironic. He sends plagues...I'm treating Him like one.

It's a nasty place to be. That bottomless pit that you let yourself sink into.

I know I serve a God who can look past my mess and say, "Flo....get your booty back in tune with Me" and somehow make me see Him - and look past ME.

I know I have a wonderful husband, who even when we aren't 'connected', happen to be 1,000% devoted to each other and our marriage/kids.

I know this year of teaching will end. (And I know prayerfully working on my own patience will help my class 1,000%.)

I know all these things. Yet, I've been a Debbie Downer. My friend, Jenna blogged about starting her "Gratitude Journal" with a goal of 1,000+ gratitudes. I have a journal she sweetly gave me....now I just need to gain the attitude of gratitude!

So I'm apologizing via blog. Yes, via blog. I'm letting myself off the hook. Lovin' the lyrics from old school Nichole Nordeman's Mercies New. Sounds like me right now....

Is it fair to say, I was lured away?
By endless distractions and lovelier attractions then
Or fairer still, my own free will
Is the better one to blame
For the familiar mess I've made again

So I would understand, if You were out of patience
And I would understand, if I was out of chances

But Your mercies are new every morning
So let me wake with the dawn!

Snickerdoodles & Snow!

When you say those two words together, you know it's not a bad day. The girls sat and watched...or rather ate dough...while I made some snickerdoodle goodness.

So much fun to cook while watching them!

Trying to help out...

Then, the snow started falling. It didn't stick, but Sophie's first realization of "Snnoooowwww!" as she called it was fun to watch. She immediately wanted to eat it - on the ground - dirt and all.

Starting to fall in chucks!

Smiles from Sophers...

Trying to catch one ...

Very big snow ball....

It didn't stick or stay long, but it was fun while it lasted!

Thank you Lord for a sweet snickerdoodle snow day!

Before & Afters!!

Now who doesn't love a good before and after? I am not going to be the one to say "it was all worth it" because really..... I had some near melt downs during the process. But it is nice to be done with it. And showing before & afters are the most fun! It's not all decorated....haven't gotten around to hanging pictures....but it's up, functional, and pretty darn fabulous to me!

BEFORE: Kitchen - 70's hit hard.

AFTER: Kitchen - yea! Open shelvery love!

BEFORE: Fridge....huge and in the way

AFTER: Fridge Removal.... nice space!

BEFORE: Dark Living Area

AFTER: Lighter, Brighter, Removal of 70's Lighting!

BEFORE: Outside needs help

AFTER: A little paint & new roof does wonders!

Bathroom renovation up next.....sigh.

Almost 2.

I almost can't believe it. Two. It's flown. Sophie is at an age where she can do no wrong. Well, I know she does wrong. But she's just so darn cute when she does it, that it's hard to get mad at her. ; )

Some things I hope I remember about "almost 2":
* You don't understand questions. If we ask, "What's your name?" Your answer? "Name" or "How old are you?" Your answer: "You". It's adorable.
* Turkey, Cheese, and fruit. That's about all you eat. That's it.
* You've learned how to communicate. You can say "Mmm hmmm" for yes or nod your head. It's great. I can finally understand what you want now. Hallalujah!
*I love your "head downs". That means you want your head on my shoulder....sweetness personified.

We love you!

Sophie loves to put on other people's stuff....

Flyin' High with "Shock" as she calls it


Lovin' her some Sissy!

Hooray, It's Granite Day!

I've never been so excited about a rock before....(well, once before, when Boog gave me an engagement ring.) Granite bar top - finished! We have two more steps before kitchen/living room remodel 2010 is done. And it couldn't come at a better time....2011 is here and Boog & I both are excited about renewing and refreshing our minds......

but we are delighted seeing our home vision come to fruition.

Eating our first dinner of White Bean Chicken Chili!

Two more steps to go - kitchen window replaced & open upper shelves~