gratitude tuesday: week one

silence, a soft pillow, and security are the ingredients for a sweet sisterly slumber <3

scratchy, scratchy, itchy, itchy...

Online shopping is such a blessing and a curse. I have found no better way to deal with a double dose of laryngitis and bronchitis and an ongoing case of hives than to visit my favorite stores from the convienience and comfort of my bed. Most of the time, it's harmless window shopping, but every now and again, I find something I feel like I need to have, hit the darned submit button and end up with two cute pairs of buckled vintage sandals at my doorstep. Ooops! I either need to get better soon or find myself a new sick hobby.

In other news, I finally started hanging a frame ensemble on our blank staircase wall. The pictures in them still need to be replaced with some old photographs of our families, the girls' sonograms, wedding pictures, etsy prints, and other sentimentals; but for now, I am adopting the cute little fluffy blonde that greets me on my way up the stairs as my own and pretending that I am the hot mama sitting on the beach and enjoying the waves.

Hope your new year has been off to a productive and healthy start!

What projects are y'all itching to complete?!?

Goodbye, 2009...

2009 was a bumpy year for me so I guess it's only fitting that I cap it off in 5 days worth of stress-induced hives. Yikes! I like to joke and blame them on the ugly plastic black & decker tool-set Nick bought Haley for Christmas, it's enough to make any girl break out into an itchy fervor, but I know it's a lot more than that and I just need to learn to let things go.

I've been knocked out and drugged up for the past 5 days and I am looking forward to ringing in the new year, awake and alert, with our little family of 4. I had originally wanted to go out with friends, but I really can't see myself starting off this new year without my two little pumpkins and their daddy by my side. Afterall, they are what helped me push through this year despite everything. I want this year to be all about us.

I'm normally not big on new years resolution hooplah, but this year, I am totally embracing a fresh start and making several promises to myself. I am sending this year off by putting the finishing touches on my 101 to do in 1001 and am ready to check things off one by one and give myself mental gold stars as I complete each task. Maybe I will make myself a reward chart, haha, I am a visual person indeed.

My biggest desire, to make each day count.

Have a safe and wondrous New Years Eve, friends!

<3

I love spending Christmas Eve with the Rakes side of Nick's family. I swear Mema and Poppa Rakes are everything Nick and I aspire to be when we are older... minus the cigarettes and flashing colored christmas lights, though I wholeheartedly cherish those little details about them too.

Mema is so cute in her green velvet two-piece ensemble and wobbles around all liquoured up in her kitty slippers and Poppa is very laid back and gentle yet ready to give someone a piece of his mind when it comes to the well-being of his family. Their home is full of traditions and storytelling and the same songs year after year... lots of warmth and sausage balls and two big ole mismatched broken in recliners to boot!

Oooh, my heart is just so happy right now, my soul truly needed a night like tonight and I pray my deepest prayer that God continue's to change and mold my heart and send more light and love through the remainder of his Son's birthday. After so many weeks of trials and fights and being upset and crying and things breaking apart, I finally recieved my christmas miracle in the form of a Statler brothers song. The greatest christmas present, is something you can't buy....

Merry Christmas to you and yours <3

Let it snow...

Am I the only person that is a bit scared of snowmen? Ours is a horrifying cross between an awkwardly dressed Adam Sandler and Michael Jackson and I am keeping out of the front yard until the sun melts him away. I don't think Haley was a fan and I don't blame her. If you ask me there is nothing inviting about coal eyes and long twiggy arms just waiting to get ahold of you. We probably won't be watching Frosty the Snowman anytime soon ;)



Bless her heart.

xoxo

My Little Snow Angel...

We are officially snowed in on our little street and I couldn't be happier and more miserable! Happy because Nick gets to stay home and snuggle and help with the kids so I can get a lot of work done and and "miserable" because I wasted all of Haley's super sweet winter clothes on yesterday's delicious hobo in the snow winter outfit and will have to concoct something extra magnificent for today's little family photoshoot.

My darlin' little snow fairy, a million kisses for your little frozen pink toes!



My darlin' big dork of a husband, a million kisses to you and your weird lizard tongue too!

xoxoxoxoxo

Baking with a two year old...

Today I am grateful for sticky fingers, chicklet teeth, a daughter who calls every cookie cutter shape "triangles!" and the imperfect cookie cutting methods of an inventive 2 year old.

Haley is presently passed out on the couch, belly full of cookies and cookie cutters still in hand. I love that girl! <3