Where is your Mother?

'Mini, what are you doing to your brother?' Walks in on her flopping her brother all over as he refuses to cooperate. 

'I'm teaching him how to dab.'

'I don't think he wants to....' as he goes full limp body onto the floor.

Thursday mornings are always a treat..... 

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So.... yesterday was day one of braces. 

Mini and I got in a little tiff. 

I just want to be honest, I feel like y'all deserve that. 

Yesterday wasn't a 'facebook' posting kind of a day.

It was a.... 'I wish parenting had a mental health day' day. 

My daughter got upset at me because I told her that her tongue will get used to the braces and the lisp will go away. Apparently that is.... NOT OKAY. [she wants the lisp to stay?]

She gave me the silent treatment when I informed her of that... after she let me know I was dumb... with her eyes. which is the worst feeling ever. Moms of tweens.... you KNOW.

and then there is the toddler.

THE TODDLER.

He was almost banned from the Y yesterday.... he was standing his ground not to leave after two hours, and they were not amused.... neither was I.... it.... was.... humbling.

I think toddlers continually provide their parents with humbling moments.... and I'm honestly not here for it. 

-------------------------

Then this morning I wake up to the MOST angelic face in the world asking to climb into bed and snuggle and I just melted.... I realized in that moment, as I have many times before that I rather be 'silent treatment-ed' by my tween and 'humbled' by my toddler every single day than have even a moment without them. They are my people. 

Happy Thursday!! 

The toddler and the tween.

Fashion Friday Mishap.

Sooooo, I was going to do fashion Friday, and then I didn't because I'm sick and I felt gross... and the only thing that makes me feel un-gross is my loves, and since Mr. S is at work the pressure fell on Mini :) Thank goodness she had the day off to play. Here is our morning in pictures.... yes, she is amazing. I know.

My cuddle butt.

Lip Gloss Problems.

Kisses. 

Love her snuggles.

My Mini.

Missing our Plus 3 :(

Hump Day. Dump Day.

I am dumping a big load of awesomeness on you guys today.... actually I am just going to post some pictures of my happenings so far this week. Sorry. Not Sorry: 

This kid. We experimented with curls this week.

Today was part one of getting me back to a blonder life. Thank you Melissa!

There was a lot of snuggles between these two.

We've been super serious.

Fell in love with this idea! Thanks Emily :)

Seriously?? How cute?? Mr. S?? 

We got into the SPIRIT of things :)

We matched. We like too.

I've been hooked up to a Bubble Tea IV.

So there. WA-BAM.... dumping some images on you. Happy Hump Day... don't get too crazy. I'm going to hang with my pet snake now. Be Jealous. 

Today is the Day that the Lord has Made.

[Thoughtful Thursdays]

Today we snuggled. So. Very. Much.

We made cupcakes.

We danced. We had a dance, dance party.

We studied our sight words and did our homework [both of us].

We sang songs to Jesus and we sang songs about Jesus. 

We read our devotions and learned about love, peace, and blessings. [we are super, duper blessed].

We played with our puppies and fed our fish. 

We. had. fun.

Giggles. Wiggles. And sassiness galore. 

Today we must DANCE.

Yes sometimes you get....tired.

But the world around you is still spinning and life is still happening. 

You cannot stop what you are doing, not always, but in those moments of PURE exhaustion.....

You should just dance.

Yep. Dance. 

I have found that it is the best stress reliever, the best happy motion you can do immediately that can change the course of your day.

So stop. Get wiggly. And Dance. 

You go girl (or boy)! 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Oh my!

It has been a while since I have had the time to post anything. Sorry for that! 

Well it is officially 2013! Can you believe that? It still is funny to me when I write the date and realize 2012 is already done  and over with. 

What have you been up too? 

We have been healthy first and for most! After an entire month of doctor visits and coughing and feeling gross we are finally healthy and that deserves a HUGE amen! We have been trying to keep warm, potting training our newest fluffy addition, and just having fun. What better way to bring in the new year than to laugh a lot, hug a lot, and love a lot? I cannot think of anything that could top that.

I hope you all are having a peaceful and blessed beginning of this new year that is full of amazing opportunity, God's unending love, and happiness that is just waiting to be used. We are going to be trying are darnedest to embrace every second of each step of this beautiful blessing of a new year! 

Well here is to getting back to blogging, doing my crunches, and snuggling all of my loves till they get sick of it! 

2013. 

 Yesterday was our history. Tomorrow is still a mystery. Today is our present, it is our gift waiting to be opened. 

2/52.

60 degree out days in January= time to play. 

Just Thinking....

There are things that people say that get old to hear over and over again....but there are somethings that give you butterflies every time you hear them.

'Mommy, I love you.'

'Mommy, you are my best friend.'

'Mommy, can we cuddle.'

My heart melts just writing that. When I hear her say those things, I am a puddle. When you are a parent you learn how to love in a whole new and amazing way. I think that this must be how God must feel when we talk to Him, when we tell Him how we appreciate Him, how we believe in His word. It makes my heart giddy knowing that God must experience that feeling a million fold, don't forget to talk to God. Every moment is the right moment to reach out to Him. Have a wonderful day! 

Oh MY Desserts....

Yesterday we had our second (third) Christmas party and it was my time to make some tasty (hopefully) desserts. I gave Mini the choice to pick out exactly what she wanted when it came to what we were going to bake and she definitely knew exactly what she wanted to make....and it almost all was a first for me. So we ventured into our baking with some wonderful Christmas music playing and only the freshest of ingredients.

Here is what we ended up with these three amazing desserts: (Recipes to follow! Along with our second day of baking adventures)

Our Peppermint Kisses

Fresh Raspberry Mini Cheesecakes

The most amazing Open Faced S'more Cookies

Starting to bake in a few minutes for our second set of recipes!! Cannot wait to share!

Making the Most.

As Christmas gets closer and I get more excited, I love to reflect on the year that we have had. A personal account of what I loved, what I want to do different next year, and what I want more of in the following years to come. Do any of you do that? I don't do goals. I don't do regrets, I just like to do plans and memories. This year was ethereal for me. I loved the quiet moments, the exciting moments, and I loved that I was able to experience each of those moments with the people that I love and cherish. Today was just one of 'those days' that will go in my book of BIG memories for years to come. I love those days where you just know in your heart, this is going to be a keeper this memory will last a life time. I had that thought today over and over again. The laughter, the giggles, the awe, the joy....yep, it was all there. I hope you all have been able to experience those moments this year, and I hope that next year brings you memories you couldn't even begin to imagine being a reality. 

We all have our memories....

We all have our dreams....

And in the midst of all of that, we have our realities....

                           

  Those cousins that are just the best.

That horse that thought your hair was a treat.

That place that you can't wait to go back too. 

Those friends you love with all your heart.

That kiss goodnight that makes you know you are home.



These are a few of my mementos to this year for my own special reasons. I am blessed. We are blessed. 

And then the list grew.

This weekend Mini decided that she needed to do her own online shopping for herself....how is this happening?? She took over the computer and she made her selections for what she 'needed' for the new year. I think it goes without saying that she has fabulous taste.

Mini's Clothing Christmas List: 

Love my girls style! Happy Shopping :)

So very Thankful.

What an amazing Thanksgiving. This year might just top the books for the best ever Thanksgiving. There was amazing food, amazing giggles, amazing fun, and so much relaxation.

We truly are blessed with a fabulous family (that really knows how to cook!)

Here are some of my favorite moments from this week:

My Princess 'Dragon Hunting' in the backyard.

Our Mr. he was guarding his Princess. 

After. Dessert. 

My Pecan Pie Cheesecake (recipe too follow)

The two Amigos. (This is their relationship perfectly.)

Cute (Girl) Baby Shoes

I loved, loved, loved buying shoes for Mini when she was a baby and I still do. Now that the next serge of adorable babies are on the horizon with many people I know I thought I finally had an excuse to look at ittle shoes again! Here are some of my favorites! Enjoy :)

Thanks.giving.

I was snuggling up with Mini today at work and we were chatting about life, and she had overheard someone talking about how when Christmas comes around they give less fortunate children toys. She was confused. She then told me about how just this month people talk about what they are thankful for. She was confused again.

The reason for her confusion? She said it so perfectly, "Mommy, we give all year round to people and donate what we can, and we tell God what we are thankful for all year round, not just November."

Out of the mouth of babes.

I am blessed every day out of the year. We all are whether we acknowledge it or not. I try so hard to make it a point to show my thankfulness and teach her to do the same. I believe the old adage, 'To much is given, much is required," And Mini and I have been blessed abundantly in love, grace, peace, monetarily and spiritually and because of that it is my joy as a roll model and parent to teach giving and donation to instill a servants heart. And let me just tell you, Mini has the sweetest heart out there. Goodness she is amazing!

So I may not partake in posting what I am thankful for, for a month, but I hope that I show what I am thankful for year round. I hope I make it personal, and I let those around me know my inner gratitude. I hope everyone embraces thanks.giving. Even maybe past Black Friday :)

Even the smallest of gifts count...

The Cookie Cure.

I have always believed that there is cure for pretty much anything if baked goods and giggles were involved. I am sure there are those out there that disagree but for me today I believe that we must try. The weather change/being in school/life have brought on a bit of a cold to my Mini today and I am ready to take that cold on!

First step surround her with the animals that she loves, favorite toys, blankie, and snuggle the cold out of her while watching her favorite movies....next make a pile of homemade gluten free cookies.... and then some more loving to top it off. I think it sounds like a good plan. Hope you all stay cold free and have a great weekend, I know we are!

Great Gluten Free Cookie Options in a Pinch