Daddy Thinks I'm Emeril

It's shrimpin' season and because of this recipe from my girl, Daddy thinks I'm Emeril Lagasse.

A Big, Big Way

My big ole' crazy family was taught a big ole' lesson in love this weekend by my Papa Clyde. I don't know if its possible for me to love this man anymore than I already do. All I can tell you is that I think my heart overflows with love for him these days.

All of us, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, siblings, have tried all our lives to not dissapoint him - the patriarch of our family. His approval of our lives means the world to all of us. That's why when he said, that my beautiful cousin's happiness is all that matters to him, we all heard him. We all learned from him.

Papa Clyde is getting old now. His body doesn't do what it used to. But his mind does. He keeps on teaching us even when he thinks he isn't. And we hear the little lessons in a big, big way.

Sleeping Giants

Our tides have been crazy high lately. And I'm blaming them for my children's behavior these days. I'm sure that the tide swings their mood like the moon does. And I'm not diggin' the latest direction they've been swung. Grouchy. Cranky. High-Maintenance. Crazy. Hyper. Loud. Unstoppable. Ag-gri-va-tin.

But now they're sleeping. And take a looksee at how sweet they are.





Careful - you're looking at sleeping giants.

You Just Have To Notice Them

You'll find your life in mud pan. After all the mulky, milky, sandy, silty, crap has washed away, all that really ever mattered are the rocks that are left behind. You just have to notice them.

Princesses Do Wear Hiking Boots

It's often brought to my attention that I'm sort of a girl who does some boyish things. I mow our grass (usually). I shoot guns (sometimes). I love to fish (anytime). I prefer beer over wine (daily). I like to play in the woods (whenever I can). Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of girly things I like but there's just a part of me that will always want to be my Dad's first born son.

There's a book I love. It's perfect for someone like Lil' who is soooo prissy but has a Mama who gets a little dirty now and again. I think it helps to put us on the same page. Here it is:



Yes Lil', Princesses do wear hiking boots.

Altitude, Attitude and Spirit

Daddy and I finally celebrated our anniversary last week. 10 years deserves something special you know. We celebrated in the mountains, walking in the woods and fishing in the rivers. We went to Wyoming and it was amazing.

There's something to be said about taking a breather. A breather from where you live. A breather from where you work. A breather from what you do everyday. And thanks to ours, I've never felt more refreshed than I do today.

I can only remember one other time in my life when I missed someone so desperately that was always just right in front of me. That was when I had Lil' and no matter what I did, I just couldn't stop missing Big even though he was right there. I just couldn't seem to get my hands on him.

When we went out west, I realized that I'd been feeling that way for a long time about your Daddy. I've been missing him for a while now too. I'm glad we took the time and I could realize that so I won't have to miss him anymore.

Sometimes a slight adjustment in altitude, attitude and spirit can make a huge
difference.

Kiss The Mountain Air We Breathe

Daddy's Mama

Since I will be away from my blog for a while, I wanted to post this tonight. Daddy's Mama's birthday is coming on Saturday. Happy Birthday Woman!

Here are some things your Mama has been known to do.

Loan you money for my engagement ring.

Give you one of her rings for my wedding band.

Treat me like a daughter from the first time we met.

Get you a washer and dryer when yours dies and you have no money for another.

Buy your kids new clothes season after season, year after year.

Spend hours picking out birthday cards because she really does care to send the very best.

Save dogs from crazy hot Arizona heat.

Organize your closet.

Drive across the country to see her Grandkids.

Inspire you to exercise.

Buy your lunch or dinner every single time you're with her.

Decorate your house.

Talk your husband into buying you ridiculously expensive bags and beautiful, timeless jewelry.

Babysit your kids until the wee hours of the morning and then drive home 25 minutes.

Ask all her friends and family to buy her your jewelry for her birthday just so she can help you out.

I could go on and on. And the people who know her and love her could too. I'm so glad you were born and I'm so glad you are Daddy's Mama. Happy Birthday!

Another Day In The Jungle

Daddy's been taking alot of pictures lately and messing with them in Adobe. He is loving the HDR application. These pictures were taken the other day when we went to Waterfront Park with Grandma and Grandpa.

Yes, Big does love his Star Wars shirt and only sometimes will wear a different one. We just can't seem to get a picture of him in anything else.


Lil's hair really does have its own personality.


Do you think she'll ever hunt or play in mud like I used to?



Just another day in the jungle...

Happy Birthday Little Lil'

Today is my little Lil's birthday. And she came into this world, much like she's lived it so far, by surprising us at every chance. I was scheduled for a c-section but actually went into labor a little earlier with her. Daddy was her hero from her first moment on this earth. She had some trouble breathing so he stayed with her for as long as it took for her to stabilize.

She's continued to surprise us with how incredibly beautiful she is. How much she can make us laugh and the sheer joy she's brought to our family. I remember being worried about whether or not I had enough love in my heart to share it with her. And what is amazing is how much love your heart can hold. She is the light of this family. Of that, I am quite sure.

We celebrated her birthday this weekend with good friends and family. Miss E. made her first trip to our house and what a gift that was. Lil's favorite things right now are mermaids so...

I had to give her one.






It was a swim party of course...





Keeping with the theme...





The lovely Miss E...





So now its just me and Lil'. Her brother is at school. Daddy went to work. Today, we're gonna do whatever she wants to do. I'm sure that's going to involve some makeup and fingernail polish and probably some sort of doll playing. It's all fine with me as long as I'm with her. Cause she's my "bess fend."

Happy Birthday little Lil'!

The Best Decision I Ever Made

Ten years ago Friday, Daddy and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. Our family's first birth. We looked back on the day and remembered what stood out for us. His things were how hot it was, my brother walking in the church with his tux balled up under his arm, seeing all our friends on the carriage after the ceremony. My things were drinking whiskey on the steps of the church before walking down the aisle (an old family tradition), seeing Daddy at the end of the aisle and watching him cry when he said his vows.

I remembered thinking about my tenth anniversary on my wedding day. It's amazing how quickly it came. Here's what's funny though - ten years of marriage seems like a long time but its really not. It's more of a drop in the bucket if you think about it. We have roughly 5 more decades of marriage to go in our lives. And that seems like alot. But I know its going to fly by.

In ten years, we've had our share of good days and bad days. But I would do it all over again. Every day, every minute. Good and bad. I can't imagine my life any other way and I can't imagine ever being without Daddy. Sept. 4, 1999 made me happier, made me stronger and gave me peace and it was the best decision I ever made.

I'm Rollin' the Dice

Foof, what a week! Alright, so Lil' has some big news. She started dance yesterday and when I picked her up, she said, "That was so fun Mom." I'll tell you what is fun Lil'. Seeing you flit around this house in your leotard and tutu with your pink little slippers. That is fun. Until its time to make you change your clothes. Not so fun.

Daddy's parents have been here and before they left yesterday, we had a little celebration dinner and they gave Lil' her birthday gifts. Yep, her's is next. I have to say the theme of the presents that they gave her was a little stripper-ish but of course, Lil' LOVED every single thing. They gave her a mermaid outfit with sequins on it (lots of sequins), a feather boa, some skirts and leotards and slippers for dance and the most gaudy yet beautiful necklace you've ever seen. They nailed it as far as Lil' is concerned.

It's always hard to see them go because the time goes by so fast and furious when they are here. They are so sweet and thoughtful and generous and I'm not just kissing up. Ok, maybe a little. The woman's got some gorgeous diamonds. But we all really do miss them and wish we saw them more.

Speaking of jewelry... I've got some big news of my own. I've decided to become a rep for a jewelry company called Stella and Dot. The jewelry is fun and really well made so I'm hoping that I'll have great success. Starting something like this is not ever something I thought I would do but I'm excited and hopeful and scared and nervous. Here's my new website.

So here goes nothin', I'm rollin' the dice...

You're Dead To Me

Careful. The next pictures on this post are G-R-O-S-S! 2 weeks ago, I was bitten by a spider apparently. I'm thinking one of those little brown recluse's because I didn't feel it. What started out as little blisters has grown into something completely and utterly disgusting that makes mothers pull their children closer and cashiers dash for the antibacterial soap.

I was sent to a hand specialist last Wednesday who tested me for staph and all sorts of other fine things. He put me on some pretty stiff antibiotics. Things are improving but very slowly and I'd really like to bend my index finger but I just can't do it yet.

Here's what it looked like before the hand specialist. That knuckle just ain't normal. If you'd like a closer look, click on the image.





Here's after...



And here's today...



I've never really had an issue with spiders. I've let them live their lives. I even let a banana spider hang out on my window for a week or 2 this summer. But that's all changed now. You're dead to me, spiders. Literally.