The Miss Elaine-ous Life

Oh So Silly - i heart faces

2012-01-30T22:58:00.001-06:00

I immediately thought of this photo.

I mean, who wouldn't?!

All eleven cousins on my side of the family... being OH, so silly! (well, most of them anyway...)

Back

2012-01-30T11:25:00.000-06:00

So the kids and I drove off to Big D (Dallas) on Thursday afternoon for some visiting of family and friends.

The main reason we went was because one of my "besties" is about to have her second son and we girls surprised her with a shower/dinner. She had absolutely NO idea that it was happening or that I would be there all the way from a neighboring state. She was a tad surprised. ;) And our time together was wonderful but all too short...

While in town (OMG Dallas is B.I.G. after living in small-town LA!!!), we also got to see my MIL and the kids' Great Grandparents and some other great friends. (Of course a shout-out to the Clarks is needed for letting us stay at their house - thanks y'all, as always)

And the "mom mobile" served me well, lemme tell ya, on our first official road trip. Although since the toddler is obsessed with "Finding Nemo" and there are only 2 sets of wireless headphones with the van, I now have that movie memorized.

"Mount Wannahockaloogie" is pretty funny, but not eight times... (okay, just three, but still)

When we arrived back home last night my husband was HERE. And we were able to spend the entire evening as a family. And when the kids went to bed he was still HERE so I left the internet ALONE and that's why there is no Miss Elaine-ous Monday and why my post is later that usual.

But I don't care because man, I missed us ALL being together. It's amazing what family time can do for the heart and soul...

Now for some pics from our trip.

Every time we visit the kids' Great Grandparents the kids help G.G. Gordon "feed the birds".

Just hangin' at The Clark's house...

Playdate at Mickey D's (and Little G is not in this photo because he threw an EPIC tantrum, wanting to take his pic alone with Ronald. I was THAT mom taking him out of the restaurant. P.S. He was just really tired and fell asleep on the way home!!)

SO good to see my girlfriends in Texas. I miss them.

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start...!

Funky Town

2012-01-25T22:41:00.001-06:00

Do you just ever feel like your life is on "repeat"? Sort of like that movie "Groundhog Day"?

he's tickling her face. gah, they're cute.

I've kinda felt that way lately.

Wake up. Feed kids. Drop off kids. Run. Grocery shop. Feed kids. Run (other errands). Compute (which encompasses many things...). Laundry. Pick up kids. Feed kids. Help with homework. Bathe Kids. Put Kids to Bed. Compute. Go to Bed.

Repeat.

Let's get outta that funk for a bit, shall we?

The kids and I are off on a little adventure tomorrow afternoon. I'll fill you in next week.

And Shhhh...... it's a secret for some.

I'm even taking The B Man out of school for a day.

Such a rebel, I am.

And apparently a rebel who talks like Yoda.

Anyway, hope you all have a fab weekend.

Be safe and love those around you.

Thank goodness I have LOTS of photos...

2012-01-24T11:59:00.000-06:00

She's growing up. Already.

Yeah I know, she's only a little over two (2 years and 3.8 months to be exact) but when she's your last? You kinda wish she could be a baby forever.

Maybe this is why I have yet to give potty training a real "go" or I am hesitant to completely pull the plug (a.k.a. the paci)...

She talks (a lot) and runs and rides her scooter and hollers at the boys and gives her opinion about clothes/shoes and her hair style. She tells me she wants to go to "my school" and plays with her "babies" and draws (sorta) pit-chures and demands what she wants (we are working on that... ), especially to play "An-ree burrs" (Angry Birds) on my phone.

I have no idea how all of this happened so quickly and all on my radar.

So... in order to feel (if only for a few minutes) that she IS still my baby, I edited a portion of the scads of photographs I took of her as a wee one and now I'm sharing some with you here because, wow, she was so damn cute (and still is, of course) and we can all use a little, darling "baby" in our life, right?

I think so...

Where's the "rewind" button??

Also, Lightroom is SO awesome...

*these were all taken in the 5-6 month time of her life. There are MANY, many more from other months...

Listable Life {Fave T.V. Shows} & MEM

2012-01-22T22:40:00.000-06:00

Today I'm linking up with my friend Nicole for her Listable Life series...

One of the choices for this week was to list your top 5 movies or television shows and I chose t.v. shows, so here's my ~~sorta~~ short list:

1. Friends - this is kind of a no-brainer for my generation, I believe. I still miss this show. I kinda wish it could be on forever. I cried when it ended. Funny thing was, I didn't start watching it from the very beginning. I remember being in my dorm and passing by one of the common rooms to go do some laundry, and a bunch of students were in the room watching it. I popped in on my way back from moving the clothes to the dryer and sat it on the rest of the episode and was like "that show's alright..." I had to go back and re-watch the first couple of seasons... :)

2. ER - I was a die-hard fan and watched this show from the very beginning until the bitter end. I'll never forget the episode where Noah Wiley's character and the actress from Life Goes On got stabbed by that crazy guy. That will stick with me forever. And when Dr. Green died I cried SO hard. (I also have to give NYPD Blue an honorable mention here because it was one of my favorite dramas as well).

3. Three's Company - I could never get enough of Jack Tripper and his antics as a kid. I can still see him getting hit with that swinging kitchen door and Mrs. Roper's awful mumu/robe/dresses and later, Mr. Furley's crazy polyester leisure suits. I'm pretty sure there was nary a situation of misunderstanding that this show did not explore. "Come and knock on our door..." Also? I wanted Chrissy's hair.

4. Modern Family -This show makes me laugh OUT LOUD every single week. If I have to pick a favorite character it's totally Phil. That man kills me! I love how dysfunctional yet sweet they all are. Maybe because I can relate. *cough*

5. The Wonder Years - I loved this show because even though it was set in a different era, I was about "Kevin Arnold"'s age while it was on and could relate to so many of his feelings, etc. And I loved the family dynamics and the friendships - oh, and the theme song "With a Little Help From My Friends". (other honorable mention sitcoms I loved - Growing Pains and Family Ties. Oh and Who's The Boss... And anyone for some Facts of Life? Okay, I'm done.. I think... )

6. Lost (the first season) - Lost sorta "lost" me during season 2 but every episode of the first season BLEW me away. I was hooked from the first one with the plane crash, until "Walt" got nabbed by "The Others" at the end of the season.

Other shows I thought of while typing this list: Two and Half Men, before Charlie sheen went totally nuts, was REALLY funny when it first started. I also loved Cheers and Dallas in the 80's. Oh and Happy Days, before the Fonze jumped the shark of course, and Dynasty. Anyone remember Knots Landing and Falcon Crest? Yeah, my parents let me watch these shows! Can you believe?

*I realize this turned into much longer than a list of 5 or 6 but I watched a lot of t.v. as a kid. If you couldn't tell...

It's also Miss Elaine-ous Monday, so please link up!

Remember, ANY "miss elaine-ous" post will do, something from your archives or something brand new! :)

Do you have a post that meant a lot to you but wasn't read by as many folks as you'd hoped? Or one that has great pictures and you want more people to see them? Or do you just have one that you really want to share!?

I'll also choose a random post from those who link up to feature on The Miss Elaine-ous Life Facebook page (please "Like" if you have not already) so even more folks will see a new post every week! Grab the button and link up! And please visit some of the other linkers as well...

If you do not post the button, please still link back to my blog, even if you just put a little blurb at the end of you post such as "It's Monday and I'm being "Miss Elaine-ous" over at The Miss Elaine-ous Life!" - Thanks!! Oh and extra bonus points to anyone who puts a tweet out there, that would be awesome too! Thanks for linking up!

And if PLEASE go visit Nicole at Moments That Define Life and check out her Listable Life prompts for this week (linky goes up on Tuesday)!

She's So Random

2012-01-20T14:26:00.000-06:00

I'm *pretty sure* I want to ~~will~~ run another half marathon in Austin at the end of March. Like really, THE last day of March. I've started training again like I'm going to do it but I've been eating like a pig lately ~~peanut M&Ms are good~~. (I must be making up for low-carb lost time) and feeling kinda weird lately too, probably for that reason alone!

(Additional motivation is that my friends Lisa and Kim are going to be running the race and I really want to join them...)

Anyway, I had a massage (FINALLY!) on Wednesday morning and then yesterday I had this weird dizziness ALL morning and I basically laid on the couch while the kids played around me. I have no idea if those 2 things are related and the massage was FAB. But I have NO motivation, so far anyway, to run more than 3 times a week and I've also had some pesky headaches lately. I plan to get up at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow and go run with a local running group for a 5-miler and I feel like I MUST step it up this time if I'm going to beat my time and be more prepared this go 'round.

But it's HARD. Tim has been working practically non-stop this week and taking care of kids is exhausting in itself sometimes...

I'm a little bummed to be missing out on Blissdom this year. It was SO great last year and now the tweets and posts and general talking are gearing up for this year's conference and I just wish I could beam myself over for at least one night. There is talk on twitter that a "Flat Elaine" may make an appearance so if you're going, keep on the look out for me, k? Also, I told the girls (@BeccasCrazyBoys @prairiemama @ErinMargolin @angelaamman @Missy_Stevens) that it better be a FLAT Elaine and not a FAT Elaine. *ahem*

Are you people watching "Revenge"?? I love this show. Which is really kidna funny becuase when I originally saw the previews I remember saying to Tim, "why would anyone want to watch such a mean spirited show??" and I can fully say now that it's to escape from the "real world" for a bit. It's kinda like the old soap operas that I grew up with, so there may be a bit of nostalgia there too. Tim said he read somewhere that they had to re-write the show from the original script because they didn't think the show was going to last this long! Anyway, I like it A LOT.

Lastly, just want to thank Dumb Mom for the awesome Snapfish credit I won over the Summer for winning a photo contest at her place. So far I've ordered a photo book of mine and Tim's trip to New York City and a canvas from our Florida trip this past summer. I adore them both. So, thanks girl. Please keep up the contests! ;)

Happy Weekend everyone...

Just Flowers

2012-01-18T22:30:00.002-06:00

Our winters are warm here. They just are. The temps usually only get below freezing 2 or 3 times each year.

Which I'm really fine with. Our weather lately has been more like early Spring or late Fall. 65 to 70 degrees? Yeah.

And as a bonus we have these beautiful camellia bushes all around the house. I think we have six or so bushes that I pick from (although some belong to our neighbors but they don't care if snip from theirs too...) and then I place them in vases around the house.

They keep the winters bright and pretty.

Can't beat that with a stick!
(that's southern talk for "awesome")

Life is Messy

2012-01-17T22:55:00.001-06:00

Her face is rarely clean.

In order for it to be I would have to chase her around the house with a wet wipe or wash cloth. ALL. DAY. LONG.

So instead I just take a lot of photos like this.

But it's okay because those baby blues seem to overshadow the messiness and she does get a bath at the end of the day.

When she's DONE eating.

You know, until the next day...

yes, that would be my 2 year-old daughter lying on the floor with my phone in hand, looking like a teenager, thankyouverymuch

Memories Captured - Little G

2012-01-16T23:04:00.000-06:00

It's hard to choose just one child to post a picture of when you have three.

But sometimes you just happen to snap a shot of one of them that you feel is perfect for the moment.

This is one of those pictures.

My second little boy, wearing his Cars jammies, standing in front of his name that he LOVES to spell and sporting that dimple that gets me every single time he smiles.

There's no "big" memory here, except that he's at THAT age - the one where we as parents just know so much is going on in their precious coconut shampoo-smelling heads as they learn and play and grow.

He still has all his baby teeth and wants me to say "I love you too" and hug and kiss him many, many times when I tuck him in at night.

It won't always be this way so I'm taking it now. Ten fold.

My Space & Miss Elaine-ous Monday

2012-01-15T23:00:00.002-06:00

Last week you all saw the desk that I cleaned up and out. Since then I acquired a new BFF (also known as a new laptop, and no, it's not from the apple family, don't start) and two photography actual, legitimate ~~paying~~ customers. So... I decided that I needed to sit at said desk instead of parking my hiney on the sofa while blogging, tweeting and photo editing. I even use a mouse now and my back is supported.

This is what almost-37-year-old computing looks like, peeps. Ergonomic support IS essential, just FYI.

Anyway, as I was sitting at my lovely and rejuvenated space, I realized there was nothing on the wall above it. I happen to be perusing Pinterest at the time and thankfully the internet idea gods aligned and I found inspiration there. Since I had yet to use these frames, the light bulb went off in the ole noggin, I kicked my creativity into high gear and I now have this display above my desk:

Yeah, I kinda love it.

I just put nails in each side of the frames and then used random scrapbooking supplies I had around, including yarn and ribbon, and tied pieces of them from nail to nail. Then I found these darling little "clothes" pins to hold the pictures.

Since the frames were ready to go this only took me about 20 minutes and I'm so happy with it and excited that I FINALLY used them! WOOT!

So, have you done anything inspired by Pinterest lately? I just love the ideas and recipes and I hope to use more of them this year.

And Guess What!?!?

It's Miss-Elaine-ous Monday!!

Remember, ANY "miss elaine-ous" post will do, something from your archives or something brand new! :)

Do you have a post that meant a lot to you but wasn't read by as many folks as you'd hoped? Or one that has great pictures and you want more people to see them? Or do you just have one that you really want to share!?

I'll also choose a random post from those who link up to feature on The Miss Elaine-ous Life Facebook page (please "Like" if you have not already) so even more folks will see a new post every week! Grab the button and link up! And please visit some of the other linkers as well...

If you do not post the button, please still link back to my blog, even if you just put a little blurb at the end of you post such as "It's Monday and I'm being "Miss Elaine-ous" over at The Miss Elaine-ous Life!" - Thanks!! Oh and extra bonus points to anyone who puts a tweet out there, that would be awesome too! Thanks for linking up!

Just Another Awesome Reason Why I Blog

2012-01-13T10:40:00.001-06:00

I've been doing this blogging thing for a while now and SO very many bloggers have come and gone and stayed and some that I used to be enthused with I no longer am (just bein' honest) and some new ones just blow my mind with their awesomeness.

If I had hours ~~days~~ I would tell you about all of them.

Blogging it so crazy really, when you think about it. We put ourselves out there on the daily and ANY person with an internet connection can find us and see photos and even read our words and ultimately KNOW what is in our hearts. Without even having met us.

Thankfully we do get the chance to meet those who do this blogging thing along side us and we can sit next to each other at a table with our laptops and iPhones, posting pictures of our stout coffee or THE cutest new pair of boots on our feet and those around us won't scoff or make fun. You know, because they are doing the same thing. ;)

I'm so thankful to have this community because let's face it, still to this day, not everyone understands this "blogging thing". Even my mother has a hard time wrapping her head around it, I believe. (Hi Mom!) So it's just so darn great to have other people doing this who I know "get me".

See, I got a comment on my blog this morning from someone who said "I'm visiting from Momma Made it Look Easy" I thought "Huh, wonder why they are visiting from Jen's place" and of course I clicked over.

Turns out she put a list on her blog this morning of some of her favorite blogs and I am on it (!!) and she said some really, REALLY nice things about me and I almost ~~did~~ started to cry.

Me and Jen's first meeting, Bloggy Boot Camp, Oct. 2010

Here's the thing. When I started this blog 5.2 years ago. I NEVER had ANY idea that I would make friends doing it. NONE.

I started it because I knew I loved to take photos and talk about my kids and I thought it was a good way for family and friends to keep up with us. And for me to exercise my writing chops a bit (although if you read my firsts posts you would have NO IDEA that such thought existed in my head - ha!)

BUT THEN.

Something tragic happened in the life of one of my best IRL friends and I met Nicole that way (she is a mutual friend) and in an email to those of us concerned, she linked to her blog. And on the sidebar of her blog...a list of a bunch of other blogs.

Me and Nicole's first meeting at our friend's baby shower, September 2008

It was in that moment that I had this crazy "OMG, lots of other people do this too!?!??!" epiphany and...

...as they say A LOT, the rest is history.

I'm not sure why I write all of this. I guess I'm a bit pensive about the fact that I have made some very good friends JUST because I write this blog. People that I truly love and adore and that enrich my life. And these two ladies are JUST the beginning (and are both so wonderful!!)

Anyway, it simply amazes me the friends I've made.

I think I'll keep blogging. I mean, who knows who I have YET to meet, right?

Yeah I'm here to stay.

The A.M.

2012-01-11T12:35:00.001-06:00

The day actually starts pretty lax around here but I attribute that to the fact that I currently have only one child in full-time school. I'm thinking next year might be a different story once G starts Kindergarten (ACK, G will start K next year!!) but I hope it can stay this way.

The little ones go to school 3 and 2 days a week, respectively and on those mornings I pack multiple lunches and do some dishes and no matter who goes to school I always make coffee. I wish I was one of those people who remembers to set up the coffee maker the morning before and even (OHMYGOSHTHINKAHEAD!) program it but alas, I am just NOT. But I finally ditched that HORRIBLE coffee maker and got myself a trusty Cuisinart with a nice carafe so my morning is much better and less full of "artful" words now. :)

Anyway, I'm not probably considered a "morning person" (Hi Honey!) but I do actually like that time of day. I would just probably rather spend it still under the covers. But, as we all know, that is NOT an option...

And at least I get to wake up to and be with the family I always wanted, so it's all good. :-)

My awesome mug from @mycrazybusylife #MugSwap2011

And yes I do still have a snowflake table cloth on the table. What? It's Winter. And I can promise you those are THE only snowflakes we are gonna see around here!!

Some Same Something

2012-01-09T22:35:00.000-06:00

I woke up unusually early to go to the gym since my schedule was packed for the rest of the day. As I came to the end of the street where I turn onto the main road I saw two teenage girls standing in the dark morning, waiting for the bus. They stood about 15 feet from each other both in their own space, not taking, just looking at the ground.

And just seeing them tugged at my heart and my first thought was, "just talk to each other, you're more alike than you know." Part of me wanted to roll down the window and holler at them to tell them. But it was cold and I knew they'd probably think I was just some crazy lady.

The thin one stood in the chilly air with her cute outfit and perfect ponytail. The heavier one was dressed all in black and her long hair covered part of her face.

I knew those girls. I knew them years ago when I was their age. I could probably read their minds. But teenage telepathy is a dangerous thing.

I wanted them to talk to each other because I bet they had something in common, some same insecurity or crush. Some same need or favorite. Some same something. Maybe they had the same birthday. It could happen. One in 365 are not bad odds, if you ask me.

And who knows, maybe someday they'll be best friends anyway. They might meet again at a workplace or a Mom's group. Their babies might have the same colic or reflux or diaper rash tendencies. Maybe they will sit over coffee and commiserate about how badly potty-training is going or the best chicken chili recipe.

Who knows? Certainly they have something in common because well, don't we all?

If only they knew it now...

Y'all Are Gonna Laugh HARD at this Photo of Me & Miss Elaine-ous Monday!

2012-01-08T22:06:00.000-06:00

Y'all.

I'm tuckered.

I barely stopped this weekend. I don't know how many of you saw my Instagram pics but I CLEANED out some stuff ~~sh!t~~ this weekend!! Here are the pics for those of you who did not see... (this is in our bedroom, btw)

BEFORE

AFTER

This took me ALL day. I put my mitts on boxes I hadn't even seen since we moved here in July of 2009. And I'm betting I didn't even touch them then because I was 7 months pregnant and those bee-atches were heavy!!

Anyway, after a minor coughing fit from the layers of dust, I dug deep and got my crafting/sewing/whatevering desk organized and clean. And I'm SO happy I took the time to do it! :D

I now have an entire box of card-making and scrapping supplies that I need to get rid of. I was thinking of putting it on Craig's List but not sure I would get very much for it. Any other ideas? Does anyone scrapbook anymore?

I wish I still had time but I guess this blog is mostly my scrapbook, at least for now anyway. I still love paper crafting and do make cards so I kept most of the tools and some supplies.

As you may have guessed I also came across a lot of memories and random things as I was cleaning things out. I read a lot of letters/cards/notes for the last time and then tossed them into the recycling box. I saved some too. I couldn't get rid of them all. Going through them did make me a little sad and a lot nostalgic for the written word, ON PAPER. We just don't do that anymore, do we? It's ALL on the interwebs, even our birthday messages to each other.

But, it was also fun to weed through it all and I also found a photo for me from college that you all just MUST see, complete with some sort of smudges there, on the middle right.

Check that 'do, you guys!!

And someone PLEASE shoot those couches, OMG!!!

If I remember correctly, they were free so...

Anyway, this was taken circa 1995 and this was my "skinny" picture. I used to have it on the fridge as something to aspire to when I was heavier. My roommate and I had terrible decorating abilities at the time. I was a Fashion Merchandising major. Can you believe it? Uh...no, Elaine, we cannot.

Anyway, when I showed this picture to The B Man he said, "Mom, I DO NOT. like your hair that way."

OH kid, me neither. But it was the '90's.

Anyway, here's to cleaning out and getting organized in 2012. I moved on to the desk in our kitchen today and it's all nice and neat now too. We'll see how long it lasts (damn school papers...)

And now....

It's Miss-Elaine-ous Monday finally again!!

Remember, ANY "miss elaine-ous" post will do, something from your archives or something brand new! :)

Do you have a post that meant a lot to you but wasn't read by as many folks as you'd hoped? Or one that has great pictures and you want more people to see them? Or do you just have one that you really want to share!?

I'll also choose a random post from those who link up to feature on The Miss Elaine-ous Life Facebook page (please "Like" if you have not already) so even more folks will see a new post every week! Grab the button and link up! And please visit some of the other linkers as well...

If you do not post the button, please still link back to my blog, even if you just put a little blurb at the end of you post such as "It's Monday and I'm being "Miss Elaine-ous" over at The Miss Elaine-ous Life!" - Thanks!! Oh and extra bonus points to anyone who puts a tweet out there, that would be awesome too!

Newborns are From Heaven (but a tad hard to photograph)

2012-01-05T21:11:00.000-06:00

My good friend here in town had her third baby boy a few days before Christmas and he is just the sweetest thing. But then aren't all babies, fresh from Heaven? Oh yes, they SO are.

You may remember I took some maternity shots for her several weeks ago (scroll down to bottom of post). Anyway, we gave it the ole college try at some newborn shots the other morning (my first go at it!!) and we got a few good ones despite the fact that he was a tired little one.

I already love him but then I love the whole family so... :)

And I totally understand if this made you want to have more (or some) babies because it did me too ~~but I am SO DONE~~!

Happy weekend all!

Sharing a Moment at Kir's Corner

2012-01-05T07:47:00.000-06:00

Today I am at Kir's Corner sharing one of my Proud Mommy Moments and I'm SO honored to be posting at Kir's place! She's an amazing writer and one of THE sweetest people I've encountered on the internet to date. Her heart is SO big and loving and that's why she's so good at sharing. :)

Won't you please come read about my Proud Mommy Moment? I'm betting you've had some like mine too...

p.s. It has to do with these three stinkers. Can't you tell I have SO many reasons to be proud?! ;)

Yes, that is G's finger in his nose. For a more civilized picture see yesterday's post. I kinda like this one though. Just keepin' it real.

Three on the Fourth

2012-01-04T16:51:00.000-06:00

I never publish a post this late in the day but I got out of bed this a.m. at 6:05 to go to the gym and I've hardly stopped since. Well besides the fairly relaxing hair appointment I had this morning in which my stylist massaged my neck during the shampoo and it took her .053 seconds to mention how tight my neck was and that she would recommend I get a full-on massage STAT. I would SO recommend it too girl, trust me I would. Actually, I would recommend a masseuse on call 24-7 but that's never gonna happen so...

Anyway, ramble much?

The very pretty and exceptionally sweet Stephanie (I know these things to be true since I've met her, although her blog pretty much tells the tale too...) has been taking pics of her kids at the first of the month for a couple of years now and I keep meaning to follow suit and do so on the THIRD of the month since i have THREE kids. But I didn't get to it yesterday but somehow I squeezed it in today.

So here they are my monkeys, on January 4th (hopefully next pic WILL be on February 3rd) and yes, it was snack time...

p.s. have you seen my new ride? Tim calls it my "bimbo box" and "grocery getter". I call it a dream come true. Never knew I could be this happy about a moving vehicle! There's SO much space... (used to have 3 kids lined up in the back of a CR-V - NOT ideal...)

Anyway, I love her and I think we're going to call her "Vanette". He He!

p.p.s. had my first newborn photo shoot this a.m. with my friend's two-week old and although challenging (and making my uterus do flip-flops) we got a few good ones. I hope to share at some point...

p.p.p.s Anyone reading ever done a juice cleanse? I'm considering it and just wondering...

okay, bye for now...

Last Night of the Tree

2012-01-02T22:49:00.001-06:00

I lounge on the couch with my feet uncovered. I can feel how cold my toes are but I'm too tired to get up and get any socks. The rest of me is warm so it seems to compensate for the freezing digits.

My not getting up to get socks reminds me of all the times when I'm too busy to go pee and then when I finally do go it is such a relief. Maybe I should get the socks.

But I still sit.

I look around the living room that I just picked-up and it is finally quiet since all the kids are in bed. All the pretty twinkle lights are gone except for the ones on the Christmas tree that we have yet to take down. There are just so many ornaments and I was too tired to do all of that today. I kinda like that it still remains.

I glance over at it and I see bulbs and ornaments my kids have made with their teachers at school and the ones I helped them with at the paint-your-own-pottery shop. I see some with their pictures as babies. Also still hanging are ones in the shape of Texas (which is such an awesome shaped state) and the fleur-de-lis-shaped ones for living in Louisiana. They do LOVE their fleur-de-lis symbol here.

Angels and Nativities and glass also circle the faux fir. Memories hanging in all sorts of shapes on the tree and in my mind.

I spot a glittery little bird house I bought last year, just because it was cute, which I've done with so many of these. Then I see one of my very favorites, which is a frame that contains a picture of Tim and me from our honeymoon, when we were 12 years younger and less wise. Twelve Christmases we've spent as a married couple. So much has happened and changed.

I sit with my cold toes and my warm heart wondering what 2012 will bring and hope and pray it will be a really good year. And I enjoy the lights of the tree for the last night until late November...

Cookies are Always a good idea

2012-01-01T22:25:00.001-06:00

I was feeling a bit of "mom guilt" since the kids and I never got a chance to bake cookies together before Christmas, what with all the traveling and such.

So... we made some post-Christmas, Christmas cookies. Which I think was a stellar idea and we may do every year from now on since we were totally chill about it and just had fun.

The boys and I did all of the baking and decorating while K was napping because let's face it, toddlers and flour just don't really mix. No pun intended. And she was cool with just eating the fruits of our labor. Trust me.

Here's my right-hand man in the baking department...

And then the chief flour-catcher and beater-licker came on the scene (also known as Little G).

I decided to limit our cookie cutter choices to only three and we made snowmen, "ginger men" and Christmas trees. The boys did a really great job and The B Man was especially proud of his creations, as was I. He is my little artist after all. And Little G was really good at putting the cut-out cookies on the pan. I'm thinking in the next couple of years I can just sit in the other room with my coffee while the kids do all the ~~work~~ baking. Right?

And just because I fee like sharing here's the recipe for the super easy sugar cookies I make every year:

2 sticks butter at room temp

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp kosher salt

Beat butter and sugar together in bowl of electric mixer on medium until smooth. Add egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and reduce mixer speed to slow. Mix flour and baking soda and salt in a bowl. Gradually add flour mixture until well blended and dough thickens. You may need to add a little more flour. Shape into a 1-inch flat disk, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll dough out on floured surface to 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes. Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

I found the frosting recipe on Pinterest.

You know, if you want to make some New Year cookies... It's never too late. ;P

p.s. Miss Elaine-ous Monday will be back next week. Hope you will all link up! Any post will do!

Wow, What A Year!

2011-12-30T15:42:00.000-06:00

Going through an entire YEAR's worth of photos is fun, time consuming and brings forth so very many emotions. I think I said in my head "Oh my gosh look how cute and little "so-and-so" was!!" about a bazillion times, possibly with a tear ~~or three~~ in my eye.

Even The B Man seemed smaller and more like a little boy at the very beginning of the year since he lost his first top tooth back in January. And now he's getting a mouth full of big person teeth and is well on his way to EIGHT years old. Crazy.

And we went from having a baby to a full-on talking, semi-bossy toddler and a pre-schooler who knows how to write his name and started playing soccer.

All in all it was a great year. We did some traveling, we spent time with family and friends, we grew (or lost weight!) and changed and we made the most of it. And I ran a little... and took other people's photos for the first time(s)...

The cool thing about this life of mine? It's made up of big, wonderful moments but it's also made up of so many small yet truly amazing ones, especially as I watch my children grow and continue on this journey with the love of my life.

See, that's what going through my photos REALLY showed me - that I am so very blessed. I think I say that on here a lot because well, it's true.

And even though it was extremely difficult to choose, here's a look back...

Me and my roomies Katy & Erin at Blissdom '11

10K in Baton Rouge - COLD!

Flowers in February

My Mardi Gras monkeys

Happy Easter!

Mother's Day

Just one of those little moments...

Oh and another...

At the beach

Happy 4th!

And another little moment... yeah... :)

With my awesome roomies from BlogHer '11, Melissa and Jennifer

Back to school...

Halloween antics

Just runnin' some more...

First (and only?) half marathon.

My babies, as pictured on our Christmas card

Me and my man in New York City

Christmas family...

Here's to a wonderful 2012 ahead, for ALL of us!
Happy New Year!

Plan a Trip with your Man/Woman/Partner ASAP!

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-06:00

When Tim looked at me in October with weary eyes and said, "I need a break, let's go somewhere" I of course said, "Yes, LET'S!"

I LOVE to travel and have my parents to thank for this, since they do as well. We went on a family vacation pretty much every summer of my life, even if it was just down to the Texas coast. Once I was in high school it was usually just the three of us and we went to D.C., on a cruise, etc.

All this to say that I will NEVER turn down a trip. So when Tim and I decided to go to New York City in December I will admit I did some major internal "Squeeing". And outward too, for that matter.

See, we both needed a break, together. And we both believe it's very important to get time together, just the two of us, whether it's simply a dinner date or in this case, a 4 day trip ALONE. Thankfully we are blessed to have family who are willing to take care of our kids while we go. A MIL who does laundry and thoroughly cleans out the fridge while you're gone? Yeah, awesome.

Anyway, I really want to tell you all now, how wonderful my husband is.

He surprised me with a limo from the airport, got us 7th row tickets to Wicked, took me on a romantic carriage ride through Central Park and ordered the perfect room service while staying at the Waldorf Astoria. And yes, I was nice and shared.

I think he loves me. ;)

I know I love him.

And no, not every moment was "perfect" (I mean c'mon you gotta go the wrong way out of the hotel doors at least one cold morning, right??) but most of them were and this time together and these memories will last me a lifetime and I thank him so much for that. We are fortunate that we can travel together like this and take time for one another.

I recommend it to anyone who can.

Just GO.

The House that B,G & K Built

2011-12-29T07:27:00.001-06:00

The kids did a gingerbread house with their grandmother while Tim and I were out of town. I kinda missed doing it with them but she also gave them complete free reign (which I am not very good at. ahem.). Anyway, I think it still turned out pretty well. We'll just call it abstract, k?

I think it might be a Christmas dragon, what about you? :P

Apparently it was quite tasty too...

Do you have a gingerbread house tradition? Or any other baking/decorating you have to do at the holidays?

The kids and I didn't get a chance yet so I think I'll make cookies with them today...

Christmas was good... as you can see.

2011-12-27T23:11:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting here with a nasty cold, I think.

I've been a little sick over the holidays and I'm guessing that the fact that I have not formally exercised AND have not been eating an ideal diet lately (oh my Mother's Christmas treats are so good...) are probably not helping.

Wait. I KNOW they are not helping. And my right nostril has not been fully functional for days which is just down right annoying! Too bad I got rid of that "neti pot" thingy they gave away at Blogher this year, right Jen? ha ha!

Anyway, it doesn't matter how I feel physically because my heart is so full.

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with the family in Austin (never mind Christmas mass, I won't even go there, but let's just say mass after your 3 young children JUST opened their Christmas presents? NOTAGOODIDEA!!).

And when we returned home Monday night I ate some soup, got a few things squared away and then made myself one with my bed. And my wonderful husband made dinner, bathed the kids, went to the grocery store AND did laundry. All while I rested and slept. Yeah, he pretty much rocks.

I am blessed. But we all knew that already.

I am looking forward to the new year... resolving to eat better again and of course getting my bootie back on the treadmill.

I have a couple of challenges for 2012 that I am considering... I'll fill you in later.

For now, pics from our holiday.

I hope you all enjoyed yours as much as I did...

We celebrated with everyone on Christmas Eve...

I quite love this one... and these precious kids of mine... :)

My parents' ELEVEN grandchildren

In the midst of our "white elephant" gift exchange

Putting baby Jesus in the manger

Someone has post-Christmas treat face...

My parents before leaving for Midnight mass

Then, Christmas Day...

Our Christmas Card...

2011-12-24T08:38:00.000-06:00

Just a quick Merry Christmas from me and my crew...

Hope you all enjoy the holiday to the fullest.

Much love,

It Really IS a Hellava Town!

2011-12-21T21:57:00.002-06:00

New York City is simply amazing. For SO many reasons. But it's extra amazing at the holidays.

The hustle and bustle is even more so and there are festive decorations and lights and Christmas trees just about everywhere.

I have SO many things to say and could go on for days (and MANY posts!) about the things we did and saw but for now I'm just going to post some of my favorite photos.

It's the best I can do the day after I got back from NYC and the day before I leave for our family Christmas in Austin.

I hope you all have an exceedingly wonderful holiday, whichever one and ways you celebrate!

xo...