Silly Seats

Being a mom can be challenging, especially when it comes to figuring out how to keep a child busy and entertained, (and safe!), while one tries to do one's hair!!!! Not an easy task, that's for sure. But luckily, I've found a special little spot for my little one that she loves! I plop her right in the sink, on a towel to make it a little more comfy, and toss in some hair elastics for her to make a mess with, and a comb or whatever is within reach, and she stays quite content for as long as I need! She always gets her turn too, and loves getting her hair done. I've had so much fun trying out little hair dos! Her other favorite thing is to do her makeup while I do mine. She grabs a brush and MUST dip it in the powder, and then put it on her face. She is always so proud of herself!

Had to include the super cheesy smile....



And of course the cute little hairdo..... I love the curls!

She also found an interesting place to sit today at our playdate. She sat right on a mini soccer ball at Tiffany's house. I don't know how she balanced, but she wiggled as it moved, and stayed on. She's just trying to strengthen her core I guess!

Painting (Again!)

Well, those of you who have known me for a while will not be the least bit surprised to hear that I've been busy painting! I am pretty much notorious for not leaving any walls white! It's an addiction, there's got to be a name for it.... Anyway, this time the victim was my piano studio. I've actually been needing to do this for a while, since almost two years ago (wow, I can't believe it's been that long) I painted the walls half-way up, intending to paint the top half a different color and put a chair rail, but never did, and also put up home-made drapes that never got hemmed!!! It's been a really sad sight for a long time, and it's just one of those things that's been last on my priority list. So the other day, we went to Lowe's to price out carpet-- (Cecily spit up A LOT when she was tiny, and we've got the stains to prove it)--and we ended up walking out with a gallon of paint! It happens. So I've included some before and after shots. I would love to hear what you guys think!! I would like a rating of 1-10. (I'm just trying to force everyone to leave me a comment!) Thanks!

BEFORE (ignore the candid photo of me, Tiffany, and Lizz)

AFTER Yes, I did sew those drapes all by myself, just don't look too closely....and I'm not done with the wall decor yet...waiting for more funds

And the bathroom is under contruction, stay tuned for the update (I know you all just can't wait!!!)

All I am, or can be, I owe to my angel mother

This mother's day is the first that I cannot personally hug and kiss my mom and tell her how much she means to me since she is in South Africa! But I wanted her and everyone else to know what a beautiful and sweet mother I have!!!! I really have the most perfect and wonderful mom in the world!

I have a fond memory of my mom that seems really simple and insignificant, but represents so much for me. It was about 3-1/2 years ago, and we had planned to attend the Women's conference in the conference center. In order to get a seat you have to arrive 30 minutes early, but I had to work that day and would be cutting it really close to make it on time. We'd just planned to meet there, at the fountain in front at a certain time. Well, I left my shift a little late, and traffic and parking were horrible, and I was a mess having been in the sun all day, and was so stressed and flustered trying to run to make it in the doors. I couldn't call my mom because she didn't have a cell phone at the time, and I thought for sure she would have just gone in, or at worst was looking around anxiously for me. Well, as I was running up, there was a break in the crowds just enough for me to see her, sitting so calmly and patiently right where we were supposed to meet. She wasn't looking around, wasn't even looking at her watch. I don't know how to describe how sweet that was for me to see my mom amidst the chaos, sitting there knowing I would come, and knowing she wouldn't move until I did. Then she saw me coming and smiled and didn't even ask why I was late or looked like such a mess. She was delighted to see and just gave me a hug and we walked in together.

That moment flooded a lot of emotion of me because it represented what a rock my mom is for me in my life. Amidst all the ups and downs, the chaos and confusion that life can bring, my mom has always been my rock and my sanctuary. I've always known that I (and my siblings) came first above everything else. I have never felt like her job as a schoolteacher or anything has taken priority over us and our needs. I can't tell you how many times she has dropped what she has planned to do to help out one of her kids in some way, whether it be to go shopping, or watch grandkids, or whatever.

More than anything she has been my spiritual rock. Everything she has taught me I've learned from her example. She is one of the most faithful and valiant members of the church that I know and loves the Lord with all her heart. Where she is right now is a perfect example! It was so hard for her to leave her family and go on a mission, but she wanted to do whatever she could to serve so she went! I only hope to be half the mother and person that my mom is!!

I love you mom! Happy Mother's Day!

Girls just wanna have fun

So I had the funnest weekend with some awesome friends: Keelee, Lizz, Brooke, Tiffany, and Melissa. We've been talking for a while about how fun it would be to do an over-nighter at a hotel, and figured this weekend was perfect since we were all planning on doing the Race for the Cure 5K the next morning. So we got a room at the Radisson and made it happen! I definitely think this is going to have to be an annual thing!

For all our husbands who wondered if we were gonna have pillow fights and braid each other's hair, we just couldn't disappoint, so.....

I've been blessed with some incredible friends! I feel so lucky! Thanks for a fun weekend! Love ya!

Enjoying Springtime!

Well, since it's been over two weeks since I last posted, I thought I should update our little blog!! I swear I'll get the hang of this, don't give up on me yet. But I got some cute pictures of Cecily at the park at our play date with Tiffany and Brooke. And Camille and Miranda joined us this time, fun stuff. The more the merrier! Sayer and Ceci had a great time in the swing together. And Cecily loved the slides---in fact she climbed right up the stairs and went down the big huge swirly slide herself! She got to the top before I could reach her, and then sat right down and she took off. She plopped right onto her bum off the slide, and seemed pretty alarmed, but didn't cry or anything. Needless to say, she steered clear of it after that, but had a fun time crawling all over the jungle gym. We are just trying to enjoy the beautiful days when they decide to make an appearance!

Cecily's 12 month photos

Ok, now that Cecily has turned 13 months I am going to post her 12 month pictures. Makes sense right?! Anyway, I had to include a look-alike comparison with me when I was little. See the resemblance?

Check out my Slide Show!