Back from my little bloggy break

Aaaaahhhhhhh...

That's me stretching and breathing a deep sigh as I return from the world of fresh air, quiet country living, and no internet.

My great computer fast is over.

I took way too many pictures and consumed far too many calories. I'll start fresh tomorrow on my blogging.

And my diet.

Oh, and here I am yucking it up with the livestock:
















Please ignore the horrid face because, in reality, these girls weren't yucky at all; they just wanted a snack.

I can totally relate.

Whoa...Wait a minute...Who's that?!

It's Sutton! She came home from college today after 3 1/2 loooooong months. We watched her plane land this afternoon and were waiting excitedly at baggage claim. She was attacked, literally ATTACKED, by her brothers and sisters when she walked through the gate. They've been playing chase and wrestling non-stop in an attempt to make up for lost time. We've got seven days to love on her before she goes back.

Baby steps

I cleaned off the changing table and moved it into the garage.

I moved her baby blankets into a closet out of view.

I touched baby headbands and baby bows and reminisced about the times they were worn.

I stroked the fabric and smelled the sweetness of outgrown little girl clothes, breathing in the moments that are no more.

I fought back tears.

Watching my children grow is painful and wonderful...and painful.

Life

Sometimes life is a tidal wave that knocks me over and leaves me wondering what the heck just happened.

Sometimes, in my knocked-over stupor, I sit and think that maybe sittin' and thinkin' is the best thing for me to do.

Sometimes I am in awe of the fact that all this time I've been chasing after God, He's been right here beside me.

Sometimes I just need to look beside me...and listen.

And sit.

And think.

And enjoy the waves.

Caillou makes me cringe

Have you seen the show Caillou? This little bald-headed boy is the whiniest child I have ever seen.

I mean, seriously, the kid is WHINEY.

Like fingernails on a chalkboard kind of whining; whining that makes me recoil in disgust.

The parents? Equally is irritating. And if they weren't cartoon characters, I think I'd have to write to them and say what a disservice all that coddling is to those children and FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, STOP THE BOY'S WHINING.

Of course, it's her new favorite show.

Dang whining.

She's a snow bunny

Yesterday, here in Texas, it was a balmy, mid-70's, beautiful kind of day.

Yesterday in Virginia (where Sutton is), it looked like this:





Gorgeous.

Oh my elliptical, I believe thou art the devil

Elliptical, elliptical,
How I do despise thee.
You glare at me as I cross the room,
while you criticise and chide me.

My fluffy butt you find pathetic,
My jiggles so amusing.
A sleek body I would have,
If you I were a using.

So I drag myself, flab and all,
begrudgingly I ride you.
The pain, oh my, is so intense,
I huff, puff (and deride you.)

Elliptical, elliptical,
Oh, how I do despise thee.
But I'll endure your taunts and jeers,
Because I need less hiney.

*sigh*

My little mod tod

I've had some questions regarding Peyton's dress shown in a post last week. The dress is actually a pillowcase dress made out of a modern flower print from the Alexander Henry collection with coordinating dot trim along the bottom. A really neat seller on eBay made it for us. I love it because it can be worn now, while it's still warm out, or it can be paired with a turtle neck and some leggings for cooler weather; hence, a year-round dress that crosses seasonal boundaries. And if you're cheap like me, clothing versatility and longevity is a must.

I promised several readers a few full-length pictures so here they are:























And the great Bubba take-down:





The sellers name is aimrenee, and while she doesn't currently have any listings up, you could contact her for a private listing. We have another dress from her that is just as adorable. Tell her Devin sent you!

I interrupt my regularly scheduled fluff piece for this...

This little blog has never been for anything other than a fun way for me to document my children's lives; a little seriousness here and there surrounded by a whole lot of fluff.

Today I have to ask a favor.

Reagan (13) has been selected for the top team at her volleyball club and she must raise the funds ($3100!) to pay for the fees. She is on a travel team that will be going to two out-of-state tournaments as well as eight in-state tournaments. I have been driving her to local businesses to ask for donations, as well as checking into other fundraising opportunities with the club.

The favor comes in here: If, during your Christmas shopping, you decide to purchase anything from Amazon, please consider clicking through the following link so Reagan can get 5% of your purchase price to help cover her volleyball fees. It won't cost you a cent! She's raising all of the funds herself so every little bit will help.

Reagan's Amazon link

Also, if you are planning on subscribing to or renewing any magazine subscriptions for yourself or as a gift, please check out Reagan's online magazine fundraiser to see if the prices are competitive enough for you to consider purchasing your subscriptions; 40% of your purchase price goes directly to Reagan for her volleyball expenses.

This little girl loves her some volleyball and we're doing everything we can to help her raise this money.

Now, back to my usual ooey gooey my-kids-are-kinda-strange totally-AMAZING post.

Needy nappers

Mid-afternoon sinkin' spells that happened simultaneously:

All that talking really wears a girl out.










A perfect opportunity to try out your sister's Christmas socks.

















The tae kwon do take-down.












And why the carpet cleaning guy knows us by name.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful I look like James Brown

Statistically speaking (according to her check-up yesterday):

Length: 32 inches (75th percentile)
Weight: 22 pounds (20th percentile)
Head circumference: 18 inches (15th percentile)

So, she's tall, skinny and has a teeny, tiny head...a fact I totally appreciated the day she was born. You'd never guess her noggin is small, though, by looking at her wild head of hair today; which looks strikingly like the Godfather of Soul himself.

Notice a resemblance?












I mean, seriously.








Poor kid.

The dreaded 18 month check-up

Poking...





















and prodding...





















...and shots






OH MY!














Excuse us while she sleeps the day away on mommy.

Wordless Wednesday: Harvest o'alls making the rounds OR My mind is mush and I have nothing to say

She loves her some Bubbas

Poppy

Pleased





















Proud





















Perfectly paternal





















Pretty in pink





















Playful















Peaceful














Happy birthday Dad. I love you so much.

Zoo dudes

There was another school field trip last week and this time it was to the zoo. Hayden was thrilled to be out of the classroom while Landon was thrilled to be in a uniform. I, however, was thrilled with the three hour nap they took when they got home.

We all love field trips.

Hmmm...

Declared, out of the blue, from the back seat:
"Mom, I never lie at church."