Trail Mix - and tons and tons of Trix

Neil was gone this week traveling to Atlanta, and anytime he is gone, I really don't get much accomplished, hence why I haven't posted. I've also been spending a ton of time in the car driving back and forth to town where my chiropractor is. I'm not sure how much longer I can do that because I'm spending an extra $100 a month just on gas, not to mention the actual cost of my visits. I love my doc and I love seeing Beth 2-3 times a week, but but but . . . I don't know. It's just a ton of driving.

But I'm not posting to complain but to post some happy trail mix bits about my past week. It's definitely been a good week. Let's start with last weekend . . .

It was warm. Very warm. The nicest day we had seen so far this year. (Today it snowed!) We bought a new outdoor table to go with the outdoor chairs we had purchased last year, so we set all that out while Noah "raked" the yard, as you can see here,

and the little miss was on the lookout for bugs. She's so into bugs right now!

Frankie really enjoyed the weekend, too. And aren't her pearly whites beautiful?! We had her teeth cleaned professionally a few weeks ago for the first time ever and they look so good and I know she feels sooooo much better. See how perty?

I think I have mentioned before that my parents are looking to sell their house and buy a new one. Well, they've been getting their house ready for about a year now. Suddenly a (perfect) house just came along and mom went alone to check it out. She loved it. So the kids and I went with her to see it again the first of the week. I loved it, too. The kids adored it. It seemed too perfect for them but there was a lot of "buts" and "ifs" involved. However, dad agreed to see it near the end of the week and THAT NIGHT he just threw out an offer and the people TOOK IT! Today they signed some papers and in less than 2 weeks, they can move in! I'm sooooo happy and excited for them!! I just can't explain how happy I am for them. The deserve it so so much. Congrats mom and dad!

On the way to see the new house that day I drove into this. While it didn't amount to anything bad, it sure was a pretty picture I couldn't keep from taking.
If you didn't know what Illinois looked like, well, there you have it!

Thursday the kids and I made brownies for daddy's return home. Brownies are his favorite and the kids (and myself) love licking the bowls!

Friday night we drove up to Peoria, IL to visit two pairs of great friends of ours, Kristin & Chris and Andrea & Rusty. To make a long long story short, Andrea, Rusty and their family are moving sometime soon to El Paso, TX. We don't want them to go, but well, what can we do but be super happy for them because it's a really good move for their family. So we went up to visit them just in case their move is soon and we don't see them again for a long while (*sob*). We had homemade yummy pizza, salad, dessert and wine :c) Kristin, Rusty, Neil and I went to grade school through high school together and then Rusty, Neil and I went on to college together. Rusty and Andrea started dating and she and I became super great friends. Then Rus and Andrea moved to P-town and she and Kristin got to be good friends. Anyway, it's all so very cool. It's been an incredible blessing having Andrea in my life. I can't imagine her not in it. And then Kristin, well, I think it says a lot that after what seems like a gizillion years, we're still the best of friends. So here we are, Kristin, Andrea and I.
Kristin has a boy, Jackson, who just turned a year and has another baby on the way. Andrea has a girl, Audrie, who is 3 and Anderson who is 6 months. And you all know who belongs to me! We had such a great time Friday night.

Then Saturday evening I set up my backdrop and lights for my shoot with Corie on Sunday. Well, the kids wanted to help with that. Maia put on her ballerina tutu and the kids actually wanted me to take some pictures. They didn't have to twist my arm or anything either!

So the shoot with Corie and Keith went so fabulously perfect. I've had the pleasure of taking pictures of both of them many a times, so this was just another very fun time for me with a couple of my favorite two people, plus this time, one more (!) because of the bun in her oven! :c) We had such a fun maternity session because of Keith making us constantly laugh. I've only had a couple minutes to peek at the pictures and then allow you have a peek, too. Isn't Corie beautiful!?

The ice cream pose is one of my favorite ideas ever! I wish I could patent it . . . hehe. I love how it turned out but if I were to do it again, I'd put her in a color because the white on white really fades into each other but I still really love the concept and how it turned out.

Thanks, Cor, for such a great day and for coming back up from St. Louis for ME!!

Once my lights and backdrops were put up, I helped hubby unload the groceries which he and the kids got while I did the shoot with C & K. Noah wanted the "Trix" opened, so I opened them for him. A few minutes later I hear "oh-oh" and a huge spill. I turn around and see this. It absolutely could be worse. It was a great week, spilled trix and all :c)

Trail Mix & Spilled Coffee

Sorry no posts from me this week! I don't have any really good excuse except that I haven't felt motivated to blog because I've been busy with so many other things.

Sunday was my great friend, Corie's, baby shower!! It was so fun. I got to see my other dearies, Beth and Tracy and Beth's mom, "mommy Pat" and Tracy's new beautiful little girl, Abby, among other familiar faces. It was fun and Corie looked flawless and beautiful! I am so excited because she is coming back up from St. Louis next week just so I can shoot her maternity pictures! (Woot!)

While Tracy and her family were here visiting from North Carolina, I was going to shoot their family on Monday afternoon, but it ended up raining, so we postponed the shoot until they are back home again in June and July. Which actually works out better because there will be green grass, trees with leaves and flowers. Plus, Abby should be sitting up well on her own then. (Speaking of Trace, darling, you NEED a blog!)

So, I have to drive 35-40 minutes each way to the town where my chiropractor is 2-3 times a week. While I loooove him and love going because I feel so good afterwards and because I get to see my friend, Beth, each time I go, I am so tired of the driving already. I think mostly because it's so expensive for me to get there and back with gas prices the way they are. That's a lot of driving for me each week in the van. I'm not really sure what to do because I know it's really benefiting me. Anyway, that's just something on my mind.

So while in town this week for my chiro, during the time of my son's preschool, on both Monday and Wednesday, Maia and I ran errands. I bought some organizational things for my very un-functional closet (it's tiny tiny), we got a baby pressie for our friends Danielle & Dan (my roomie in college whom I've talked about who had a girl March 20th!) and we went to the cat vet and made an appointment for my cat, Heinz (yes, he's named after ketchup and if you didn't realize how much I like ketchup, welp, -----> now you do!) for his hair problem that he STILL HAS. (It's driving me completely batty.) I also dropped off some pictures at a client's home. Aren't they the cutest "clients"?

But then while at home this week, I spent a good number of hours sorting through winter clothes and adding them to the "winter clothes" boxes for storage and picking out all the items that the kids can no longer wear. Then I put out the new spring and summer things (note to file, still need to do mine) and then I piled up about 10 piles of Noah and Maia's clothes to send off to friends who can use them. We got all the stacks of clothes but 1 mailed off. So I also spent a lot of time in the United States Post Office this week. But I'm so happy to have done that because the clothes are being put to good use and they're out of my house -- the most important thing, right?! :c)

Speaking of clothes, I went through a lot of my own as well, and I have a lot to give to whomever speaks for them first. And they are a lot of very very nice things. Anyone interested?

So don't dis me for this because I cannot help my size. I'm blessed to have great metabolism because yes, I do like to eat, and yes, I eat a lot! Believe me, there are a lot of things I don't like about my body, however I am very thankful that my size is one thing I don't have to worry about ---- yet.

Before I got pregnant with Noah, I was a size 0-2. After pregnancy I was told by some people that I'd never be back into a size 0. And they were right, I wasn't right away. I began as an 8, then went down to a 4 for about 6 months, but then suddenly I could wear my 2's again. (Never say never!) They didn't fit exactly as they had before, you know how our bodies change, but the point is, they did fit! Well, since I am not having anymore babies, I have no need to hold onto these 4's. So if anyone is interested, I have probably 15 pairs of brand new J Crew jeans and dress pants and I will sell them super cheap just so I don't have to spend the time listing them on ebay! Some were worn once or twice. I also have some Gap in the pile.

It's also been a busy or exciting week for some people I know. My brother-in-law, Brad, had his birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday, Bradley. Hope you liked Ella's "pink cake"! And then Neil and Brad's cousin, Kara, had her baby boy, Spencer, on the 1st. She was 3-4 weeks early and he was close to 8 lbs and Kara is a tiny size 0 girl! I can't believe he was so big. I saw her a few days before and she didn't look that large! (Spencer must have been hiding well.) I am still waiting to see some pictures. Anyone, anyone?? Congratulations to Kara and Josh! It's their first child.

On the flip side, my friend, Jennifer, is dealing with her grandmother's body beginning to shut down (bless Jenn's mom for taking care of her dear mother), and then my dear friend, Kristin, lost her grandfather yesterday. She had a relationship with her grandpa like I did with my own. He was a fantastic person and I am so touched that I had a chance over our long years of knowing each other to have met him. Again, I'm sorry, K. It's never ever easy. And a really hard thing is, Kristin's birthday is Sunday on the day of visitation. If you know Kristin, please send her a card. I know that would be extra special for her during such a rough time in her life.

And please think of my very dear friend, Alexis, as she is on an airplane RIGHT NOW flying to Thailand for her and Matt's 10th anniversary! She is nervous and upset to be leaving her kids as they didn't make it easy on her to leave. And if you know her, you know her anxieties are already way up there. So think of her and say some extra prayers for her that they make it safely and that they have an amazing time.

Finally, know how my week has ended?? I got home from picking up Noah from preschool and I brought the kids upstairs to the kitchen for lunch. Maia got up on the island area where my laptop was open and where my old cold coffee was sitting next to it. And I'm sure you can guess what happened.

I was doing something in the sink and I kept hearing "I'm sorry, mommy, I'm sorry, mommy, I'm sorry, mommy . . . " and I turn around to the sight of spilled coffee all over my keyboard. Oh.My.Lord. And that's exactly what I said, too. I quickly turn it over and let the coffee drain out on the floor and wipe it up with a towel. I figured I'd look at the screen and see it black and dead, but it was still on!! Praise the Lord! So I'm praying still that it doesn't eventually die on me, but so far so good. Cross your fingers for me! This is a scary situation on my hands! I swear my computer luck is not good. I am usually in dire mac situations at least once a year for whatever reason.

I just hope to never ever mention spilled coffee on my computer again. Lesson learned: don't put your coffee cup near the computer and don't leave the computer open. Ever.

A photography post coming soon!!!! Maybe even today!!

"Trail Mix"

We just had Easter (probably like most of you) yesterday afternoon on Neil's mom's side. It was really nice. Lots of kiddos. I made fruit pizza which was too pretty not to take a picture of! I had a piece for breakfast this morning. Mmmmmm . . . (All the food and conversation was very good! Hope you all had nice Easter celebrations as well.)

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Remember my face pain a week ago? It turned out to be a sinus infection! I have 2 or 3 more days left of my antibiotic. I feel sooooo much better. That was absolutely no fun at all (and very scary)!

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Today I finally see a doctor for my back pain. I'm now seeing a neurosurgeon. Hopefully it will all go okay. I'm not really nervous because I don't think it's anything serious. I just want to get it fixed and the chiro isn't helping that area of my back at all which tells me it's not mechanical?? I'm just ready for today to be over with already. (I also have my "yearly". Blech.)

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Last week was a really successful week for us with potty training. We went all week long wearing big girl undies with no training pants or the like! We either went bare booty or underwear. (Maia, not me! I always try to be clothed!) Night time is a bit harder, so we're wearing diapers to bed still. But I know we're on the right track because this is how it went down with Noah. Noah was trained when he was ready, and I think Maia is following in his same "I'll do it when I'm ready" pattern. Yayyyyyyyy!!! What will we do with all that extra diaper money?!

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The kids got an Easter package in the mail from their cousins,
Ella and Adi. And guess what?! Mommy got a little treat, too, from Chel. It's the cutest little giftie ever and I can't wait to plant the seeds :c) Thank you, darlin'!

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My weddings start back up in 3 weeks!

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Remember how I said I wasn't going to do anymore weddings or else very little?! Well, I really do have a hard time saying no. I have nine. Totally better than 15+ which is what I did every year for a few years. But it's still too many. I really seriously am not taking any next year. (PLEASE hold me to this, friends!) Neil and I both decided last night that it would be a good idea. Now if you're a friend or someone who has lots of really different fun ideas, I might possibly be swayed. (hehe)

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Next weekend I get to see Corie! She's coming home for her BABY SHOWER! Then 2 weeks after that I get to do her maternity photos!! (She'll be such a beautiful subject, too. Okay, so will Keith, her hubby, but I think Corie's going to be glowing a teeny-tiny bit more?)

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Over the weekend I got my hair cut (only like a 1/2 inch) but I also got it colored and thinned out. I have soooooo much hair so thinning it out totally changed how it looks and feels. I love it. Noah told me I looked "pretty". If that doesn't make a mommy feel good, I'm not sure what else would! He's such a sweet boy.

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Neil and I rented our first movie in probably 2 years . . . the Holiday. I remember Corie and Keith telling me about it a while back, so that was the one I chose. I can't wait to see it. The last time I saw a movie at the theater was with Alexis and Jamie. How long ago was that, girls?! Well over a year, wasn't it?

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I was about to buy this chair last night, but then thought I'd ask your opinions on it. I always feel confident in my purchases when it comes to cameras or lenses or clothes or paint colors. But a desk chair which could change the way my back feels forever because I practically live in it, well, that's a different story! I tried out a whole bunch after my hair cut at Office Depot and Staples on Saturday. I definitely do not like the big frumpy cushy executive chairs because they are not made for sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen for hours on end kind-of-work. At least not for me and my back. I need high lumbar support big time. I hope this one will work. I want to order it online because it's free shipping and I have a $30 off coupon when ordering online. (at Staples) You can't beat that. Any suggestions or advice? Why am I so nervous about this purchase?

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Oh, and I forgot to add that I hope to post an entry this week on something photography-related! Alexis's gizillion trillion questions to me when about to purchase her new (awesome DSLR Nikon) camera a while back stemmed an idea in my head to turn those questions and answers into an informative post for you. So look for that this week!!

"Trail Mix" part 2

{I guess I have a lot of updating to do since I have been without frequent updating for so long . . . ha!}

• This weekend we put up a gallery on our wall coming up the stairs. It looks cool. I'm really happy with it. I uploaded pics to flickr. Tell me what you think! (Erin, did we do okay?)

• We also cleaned out the garage this weekend. First time doing so. And when I say clean, I mean we literally took everything out and scrubbed the floor. Looks like sparkly perfection. (Not really, but tons tons better than it did a week ago.)

• Two days ago I got really frustrated with how scraggly Maia's hair looked and since she has only had 1 haircut ever, guess what I did?! I cut her hair myself and I have to say, it looks pretty good for my first time. It's still piggy-tail doable, don't worry!(More also on flickr.)
  

• Earlier in the summer I went to my "adopted" grandmother's estate sale. As you know, I won (yay!) one of her beautiful old upholstered chairs. I also won an antique "brownie" camera. Then I bid on some other boxes . . . where i wasn't sure exactly what was in them, but I knew I wanted them. And so I took a few pictures of my finds. I'm so excited about it all because they were things of hers, but also because I think some of things are pretty rare. For instance, there was a Newsweek from when Reagan was shot, a copy of "The Grapes of Wrath" from the early 1900's, and then some storybooks which were of some ladies from my hometown who could have been grandmothers to Marie (my adopted grandma), so they date from the middle 1800's. I also have Marie's Home Economics textbook which has recipes in it and little notes in her handwriting. She doodled all through it and would write notes like "very good", etc. beside favorite recipes. There are also pictures of women cooking in this book over old stoves probably in the 30's? I'm so excited I have these things. I have a few showcased in my dining room hutch. Check out the pictures which I uploaded to flickr. There aren't a lot of pics, but a few.

• While Erin was here we went shopping. I mean, how could we not?! We adore all the same things, dress alike, decorate alike . . . and she came across some fabulous ceramic vases which she just knew would look great in my (still being transformed into) VWC "presentation room". So I bought them. 3 of them. Plus a little suitcase thingie and she bought me a bowl. Looks awesome! I have some pictures of Erin "Vanna White-ing" off our finds on flickr which you must go see (if you haven't gone there yet).

• An old friend and I just got reconnected through facebook.com (I love that place and it's sooo addicting!). Right about when her daughter was born, she started up an online scrap booking store. It's really awesome and I'm very proud of her. I know how hard it is to keep a small business going, so I wanted to give her a little plug. Please check it out. She has some really cool things (even though I don't scrapbook) and I looked on her sale page and from what I know about scrapping, her sales are a must to check out!

• I forgot to mention last week that the first day Erin was here, she gave me a fun "thanks for having me gift". Which I think was more of a "R&R" gift for after the day full of parties. Inside the cute paisley turquoise bag were some coasters that she made herself (she's very creative, ya know? -- I love them!), a candle, body cream, leg gel (for my tired legs), lots of yummy Canadian chocolate that we don't have here (which is better than most chocolate we have here!), and my very favorite . . . TWO bags of ketchup chips. Oh my gosh, I love those things!!! (Unfortunately, so do my kids. Thankfully, Neil does not, which means I get his portions.)

• We did trick-or-treating tonight and the kids had a blast! Maia was way way more into than Noah EVER was at this age. And Noah had a really great time. He went on his own up to houses and said "trick or treat" which is really big for him; he's really really shy. Anyway, O'ma came over to see the kids and walk around with us. Then we went to dinner. It was nice. We had a really good time. I'll post pics another day. Happy Halloween!!!

Purple Valley "trail mix", part 1

I'm going to call these kinds of posts, "trail mix" posts because trail mix is comprised of lots of bits and pieces of stuff, some of it yummy and some of it not-so-good (at least in my opinion). That's basically what my "bits and pieces" or "random thoughts" are, but "trail mix" is just so much cuter.

Today's trail mix thoughts . . .

• My children like to be naked. Even when it's 35 degrees outside. And I let them. (Is this just a kid thing or are mine messed up?)
• (Parenting brag) Maia told me she needed to poop today and she then pooped on the potty again. If only she'd tell us when she had to pee-pee. Arg. She did tell me later today that she wanted to wear "big boy underwear". Is that funny or what?!
• I still haven't called my last client. I'm too nervous. (I need some encouragment! It's the lady in town who owns the fancy restaurant and it just sorta makes me really really realllly nervous)
• (Parenting help) Noah is starting to talk back a lot. Isn't it too young for talking back? How do you put a stop to it?
• We got new beds delivered last Friday. They were birthday gifts to my son and husband. What's so nice is, I get to take advantage of this super duper great gift of Neil's! We went from a full to a king, and man, is it fabulous. I have slept the best I have slept in probably 20 years. Thanks, Martha and Bill! Noah really thanks you, too. He's been wanting to go to bed early just so he can sleep in his new big boy bed. He loves it. (And we love that, also!)
• I got to visit my friend, Lindsday, Sunday night. She and the new baby are doing so well. Caelin Scott (they call him "Cael") was born on Neil's birthday, October 22nd. He is so adorable and just the best baby! And guess what?! My losing of her maternity pictures has inspired her to maybe possibly try for baby #4 just so she can get the maternity pictures that she's never had. Oh!, and hopefully, maybe, also give her the chance to be a mommy to a baby girl! Check out how cute Lindsay and Cael are.
  And . . . do you remember the pregnant hick who was at my halloween party with tattoos and cigarettes? This is her! Isn't she pretty?! So many people asked me what she looked like in real life and when I told that to Lindsay, she laughed. I don't think she'd mind my posting her pictures for you to see her "before" and "after". Actually, she'd probably appreciate my showing you ;)
  Hehe . . .she SO played it up! She was awesome!!
  
• Please keep my friend, Erin, and her family in your prayers. Her father had surgery yesterday to remove part of his jaw due to a cancerous area. He made it through but will have a long recovery (Thinking of you, Erin dearest.)