Visitors

I forget to mention that some monkeys stopped by yesterday. They were cute, and squishy, and I just couldn't get enough.

Just today

So today started out looking like it was pretty much gonna be a dud. I was bummed about that too, because we are having some seriously PERFECT weather, I mean PERFECT! Sunny and breezy and....wait for it....COOL! That's right, we had our first fall-ish day today, and it was wonderful. And the sad thing is the kids and I almost missed it. But, after Brady woke up, and we saw that we had so many hours to play until Dad was going to be home, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and we decided to head outdoors. First we had to go to Target for a few essentials (and the kids may have gotten to pick out a treat too!) then one more stop and it was off to the park.

We spread out the red and white picnic blanket and I rested in the COOL shade while the kids ran around and kicked the ball. Then we all snacked on some yummy Teddy Grahams, Ritz cheese crackers and mini Chips Ahoy! What a fun snack! Anywho, it was so nice to get OUT and enjoy the seriously awesome weather. I wish every single day could be like today was! Instead here in Texas I feel a sense of urgency to utilize every day like this because they seem so rare! I can't WAIT for fall to arrive, and I hope it lingers!

Oh! And that second stop before the park? I got my new fall shoes! Woo Hoo!
I got them at Famous Footwear, and did you know that if they don't have your size they will order them AND ship them to your house for free! No shipping and handling if you order from the store. And OH MY they have the CUTEST shoes out this season!

A year of Sundays: week 2

All my hard work at making them look nice for church looks like this about 2 minutes after we get home.

A pretty french braid.

Snow White playing with the Cabella's toys.

Brady's new every day request. "Make me like Superman."

Messing around with Daddy.

I love these monkeys!

Go potty first.

Alright. So there is this blog. This very, VERY funny "Mormon Mommy Blog" (whatever that is) and I read her every day. It has gotten to where I feel the need to share her blog with others. She will make you laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh.... Anyways. She's funny. And if you are bored you should check her out. Trust me. You won't be able to stop clicking on past posts, and links, and reading all the little bits of hilarity. Oh yeah, you need the link! Navel Gazing at its Finest. And a huge thanks to Cheree (I think is who it was at first) to bringing this blog to my life. I love it.

And if you don't want to search the whole blog right at first, here are a few posts of hers that are sure to make you giggle.

The Birthday Party- A Parable

Family Bulletins

Things that are making me Grouchy

Enjoy!

Just in case...

...the phones go out I will post here for all my family (of worry warts) that we are just fine! I have been watching the Weather Channel all night while at work today and they are really making it sound like we here in DFW area are going to have it bad. We may have wind and rain, but honestly we feel so safe. I just know that all my family will be watching and worrying over us, so no fears! We have water and food (just in case) and cash and full tanks of gas (just in case) and lots of fun indoor things planned for the kids tomorrow! Just keep all those, even those that made it out, in your prayers! What a scary thing to leave your home and not know what you will find when you come back.

Oh, and I have to give a shout out to those HILARIOUS reporters that risk their lives, so that I can sit here and watch 24 hour coverage of the storm! And you have to love the graphics, you know what I mean, they make a graphic to flash every time they start talking about HURRICANE IKE. Cracks me up.

Ugg! And just know when searching for an image to post I learned that all this time I have been missing Anderson Cooper on CNN! Much better than The Weather Channel, but I can't switch NOW! I have vested interest in how these TWC reporters make it through the storm. Blast!

Ice Cream Makes it all Better!

Yesterday Natalie and I had a rough day (and that is putting it mildly, if I want to be honest) and it just wasn't getting better. After much crying and stomping and door slamming and hugging and kissing and more crying we patched up the issue. Keith was able to come home which allowed Natalie and I to go out for some special time. Of course we went shopping (my infamous Tuesday Morning run, to which she was completely oblivious to the purchasing of that fairy house! Woo Hoo!) and then snuck over to Baskin after hitting up the rest of our errands. She was so excited to get her own cone, and it was nice to just eat without worrying about Brady making a mess! She loved her ice cream and it helped smooth out the rest of the day. I love this little girl so much. And though we have our battles, I know she loves me too!

I need to learn how to make her eyes twinkle like Pioneer Woman does over here. One of these days I will actually use PSE to edit my photos and not just digiscrap!

Christmas is coming!

So, I have tried it both ways. I have shopped all year long for Christmas and squirreled stuff away in the closet after purchasing, and I have waited until after Thanksgiving to do all my shopping and in my experience we get to have better Christmases (gifty wise) if I shop early. So September to me is the mark of the shopping for Christmas bargains season beginning. Everywhere I go I am on the hunt for good deals on gifts for the kids and family. This year I am being really gung ho because earlier in the year I decided we are gifting to as many people as possible. I want to give, give, GIVE! I love how it makes me feel when someone opens up a gift I have lovingly made or bought just for them. Especially my kids. There is nothing greater than seeing their face light up in total happiness because I hit it right on the mark.

That brings me to my first official purchase of the season. (I already have a bunch of other little things hidden away!) I am SOOOO excited for this toy! It is a fairy garden/forest/wonderland! And I found it at Tuesday Morning for 50% off what it sells for online, plus I got BOTH accessory sets that they offer. So Nat will have the whole set. This will be her "Big Gift" this Christmas, and I just know she will LOVE it! I can't wait to give it to her! Now the real question is who is it going to be from, Santa or me? Because I hate when Santa gets the credit for the best gift! Oh and if you love it you can check it out online here, but DON'T buy it there! It was in the add for Tuesday Morning so most stores should have all three pieces!

Fairy Wonderland

Fairy Children

Blossom Friends

Going Green(ish)

A while back I bought myself 5 of the large reusable grocery bags that they have around, and to my credit I have been very diligent in using them. We rarely have any plastic grocery bags in the house, and most of the ones we do have are from when Keith runs to the store (I can't imagine why he wouldn't want to take my reusable ones, lol). Anywho, I have been very proud of myself! The trick is to keep them in the front seat of the car so I don't forget to take them in, and I also bought one of the Target ones that zips up to pocket size and I keep that in my purse for those smaller trips. That one has saved me so many times. If any of you like to use the reusable bags, but forget to take them in I suggest getting one of those, they are cheap, like a buck or so, and so very, very handy.

Anywho, one thing that was driving me CRAZY was when I got to the produce section, my cart would just FILL UP with those thin green bags full of veggies. ARG! I was trying so hard not to use the plastic and then the healthier we were eating, the more plastic bags I was bringing home. So I caved. I gave into my inner hippy (much to Keith's dismay) and I bought some organic, reusable produce bags! I am so excited! They just arrived today, and I can't wait to go grocery shopping tomorrow. I bought mine from here, and they were definitely more expensive than the grocery bags (which were only a dollar), but I figure it evens out. That was the best prices I found if you are interested, I will save you all the comparison shopping I did! I got the medium ones and if I like them as much as I think I will, I will be ordering a set of the large ones too

Again! *Updated*

Brady went before shower this time, in the potty! Woo hoo!

Though this means I really can't put it off anymore. Gotta pull out the undies. Ugg.


*Update* here they are. Of course I have a million billion pictures, but this is really the only appropriate one for the blog. Keith is pretty convinced that the undies are laced with sugar. Oh, and they are cars. So Brady is prancing around with a big ole Mater and Lightening McQueen on his baby butt. Kill me now with cuteness.

So I don't forget...

...the last 2 nights right after bath time Brady has asked to got potty, and has consequently gone on the big potty! Woo hoo Brady! Now I have to start potty training, dang! Looks like I am going to have to bite the bullet and pick a week to stay home and try out the big boy undies.