Happy Half Birthday to Gracie!

All I can say is this has been the greatest, most rewarding, most exhausting 18 months of my life! This little girl makes my days brighter and more exciting just with a smile and a laugh!
I love you doodlebug past the stars and back!

Wisdom from a 4 year-old Independent

We let Lucy stay up a little later last night, so that we could watch the beginning of the debate. I decided to try and explain to her what was going on. I told her both the men talking wanted to be president. That they had these debates, so that people in America would be able to decide which one they wanted to vote for.

After watching for awhile, she made a very profound statement...

"Maybe they should take turns being president."

This is not the best idea, but you have to give her credit for the simplicity of her solution. To a little girl, it makes sense. Mommy always tells her to share and not be selfish. To work out your problems together and not argue. And to try and make decisions that are fair for everyone.

Van Gough and the Screaming Sisters

Lucy has become obsessed with coloring. She would color all day long if I let her. She is getting really good at staying in the lines and is very creative with her color choices. Grace on the other hand, spends more time eating the crayons and writing on the table... Oh well! She loves doing whatever her Sissy does, and I love watching them together!After the colors became boring, we ventured outside for a little sunshine. It has been so pretty here this week. Anyways, the girls proceeded to have a screaming contest. I am sure that we could probably be heard all the way to downtown. At one point, we had all the neighboring dogs barking... I am sure I will win Neighbor of the Month now!

I swear these kids keep me on my toes all day... But they sure are cute and completely full of personality!

100 posts in 1 Year - It's my bloggy birthday!

I can't believe I have been blogging for a whole year. It seems like I just started. I can't believe all that has happened, all that we have done and all the friends I have made. This crazy blog thing is so addicting, but so great.

I hope that each of you has enjoyed reading along and experiencing our days with us.

Here's to many more blogging years!

Current Addictions

Current Addictions - The Rules:

1. Write a post about five current addictions (with details)
2. Mention the person who started this meme (Being Brazen) and also the person who tagged you.
3. Title your post “Current Addictions”
4. Tag at least two people and pass on the above rules

Thanks to Sabrina at Just Flossing the Teeth I Want to Keep for tagging me... This is my first meme, so I hope I can handle it!

1. Getting Ready for Fall - Every year I look forward to fall and all the decorating that it means for me and my house. I am especially excited about this year, because we are in a new home and all my old things will seem new again! Plus, who doesn't love a good old pumpkin and some mums... They will be making my front porch, oh so pretty!

2. My birthday - I love my birthday... I know it is really childish, but I have always gotten so excited. I have already picked out several gift ideas (see number#3), and have started a new work out plan to get me back into my skinny jeans. I can't believe I am going to be 32, but if I am then I want to at least feel good.

3. Photography - This is pretty much an ongoing addiction, but it is really on my mind with all the upcoming photo ops that Fall brings. I even picked out a new lens that I REALLY need. Hint, hint (see #2)!

4. NEW Fall TV - This is a guilty pleasure for sure, since most of the time our TV seems to be tuned to Noggin or Disney or PBS. I cleaned out the DVR, so it would be ready for all the new episodes of How I met Your Mother, ER, Law and Order, and THE OFFICE!!! The kids have been in bed much earlier lately, and my dishes don't seem to get done until the morning, so that I can plop myself on the couch and enjoy some very entertaining TV time.

5. Finishing projects around the house - We moved into our new house in May, but there is still about 100 things on my list of to dos. I still haven't picked a paint color for the family room, and I am starting too really loathe our kitchen counter tops. Unfortunately, our money tree isn't doing to well in the backyard, so I am going to have to put this addiction on hold for a bit longer...

That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be... I actually could have added a few more, but I don't want to look over addicted!

I am tagging Kristen at Our Crazy, I mean Wonderful, World and Natalie at Three Girls and a Guy.

Countdown to the big Three-Two...

Well, for the last month I have been setting my alarm for 6:00am, to get up before Chris leaves for work to go running and attempt to lose the last few (actually way more than a few) pounds I have been holding on to since little Gracie was born. Every morning for the last month, I have snoozed right through said alarm, and promised to start tomorrow, that is until Tuesday. I finally got my lazy butt out of bed and made the first steps toward my goal. I have committed to every other day. I am starting out slow and short. And hoping to work up to about 3miles. I know it is no huge feat, but it is alot for this out of shape, lazy mama. I am also considering joining a gym.

I really enjoy working out, but I find it hard to go run with the kids and I am not much of a morning person. This is where all my friends and family come in... I need you guys to make me accountable. I have added a counter below. It is only 5 weeks until the big day. I know that I won't be able to lose all the weight I want by then, but I hope that in 5 weeks I can at least establish a pattern and a habit to get me on my way. I want to fit into my skinny jeans by 2009. Do you think I can do it?

Bubble Babies

We bought a new bottle of Mr. Bubble this weekend and the girls had so much fun taking a bubble bath. I think it might just be Gracie's first time in a bubble bath. She is so mistreated. Anyways, it was so funny watching them playing. Gracie was eating them and Lucy thought is would be great fun to try and swim under them.... Unfortunately, the tub is not nearly big enough. The last one was taken about 1/100th of second before I almost had to jump in and save Gracie from a slippery hug that went to far...