Trade Ya!

One of my favorite things about summer is Becca's Bloggy Flip Flop Exchange over at The Texas Darlings, where 2 fantastic things happen. 1. I get introduced to really amazing women from all over the country who like to blog just like me, and 2. We all get new flip-flops. Being in Texas, and having "summer weather" most of the year, the flip-flop is a staple to my non-work-wardrobe. So to find new flip-flops in the mail from a new friend is almost enough for me to throw a party!

This year, I was paired with Mimi from He & Me + 3 all the way up in Michigan. After reading Mimi's blog and getting to know her, I've decided on a few nicknames for her (Mimi, I hope you don't mind me taking the liberty). I thought about calling her "SM" for Super-Mom or "SP" for Super-Photographer (really, check out her pictures!), but I thought "SCGTIWLTHOW" would be the best nickname since she is a Super-Cool-Girl-that-I-Would-Like-To-Hang-Out-With! But another option is "SFFPO" which stands for Super-Flip-Flop-Picker-Outer. Check this out:



Not one, but TWO new sets of flip-flops (including pink cheetah!), a pedicure kit, new polish, and a postcard from Michigan. Does this girl know how to put a care-package together?? (Where was she when I was stuck in Russell Dorm my freshman year of college, needing a really great care package?!)

Becca, thanks for hosting, and Mimi, thanks so much for a great gift! I hope you love yours as much as I love mine!

All you need is...

Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes...

It has been a L-O-N-G day today. With a capital L, O, N, and G. A computer-not-working, not-enough-hours-in-the-day, one-pack-of-peanut-butter-crackers-for-lunch kind of day. A typical Monday, actually.

And only 4 things can cure my typical Monday: A hug from my ChellBell, a kiss from my hubby, a glass of champagne, and a happy post for Friend Makin' Monday! Well, the first three happened as soon as I walked in the door today (Chris was prepared with both a kiss AND a drink-- isn't he sweet?!), so only one thing is needed -- a FMM post!

Since Kasey is gallivanting all over the country, Mamarazzi over at Dandelion Wishes is hosting this week and has asked us to list 5 - 10 of our Favorite Things. Isn't that a fun way to start the week? These are a few of my Favorite Things...

Photography

Although I love to capture life around me on my camera, there are a few photographers whose work takes my breath away. Amy at Images of Grace has definitely found her gift and was kind enough to capture ChellBell in a beautiful way that I could never recreate!

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

I'm a sucker for any cute shoe, but I am an evangelist for Tory Burch, because they are comfy AND cute! (And they come in ChellBell's size too!)

Watermelon

I pretty much eat watermelon every day during the summer. YUM!

Fondant cakes

Izze

This may even be passing up Vitamin Water as my favorite drink...

iPhone

So I'm probably the last person on the planet to get one,

but now I have one, and I'm crazy about it!

Paper

I know I always go on and on about Erin Condren,

but - WOW - I love her invitations and stationery!

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the announcement of the 200th post Give-Away! (And QUICK! enter now if you haven't already!)

I did a little flip, I did a little flop

"Mama, you have mail!"

That's all ChellBell needed to say, and I came running! My friend Becca over at The Texas Darlings hosted the cutest "Bloggy Flip-Flop Exchange," and I am the lucky girl who got a package from Tanya at Miller Racing Family.

Tanya has a great blog -- if you haven't visited her, please do! You'll end up being a "follower". She adores her family and has a huge heart for other people and for God. You will always find inspiration on her blog and get a little chuckle as well!

The Millers live in the great state of Missouri, in a small town called Houston (in Texas county -- how confusing is that?!). Included in my package along with THE GREATEST green flip-flops (my favorite color this season!), was a postcard with all kinds of facts about her State. Tanya works at the local newspaper and sent a copy along with a t-shirt that says "Knowit.all". Although I love the shirt, I'm not quite sure I qualify... Somehow my husband thinks the shirt is more suited for him (you know, being mister-know-it-all-2009), but I am definitely not sharing!

Tanya, thanks for the great package. Becca, thanks coordinating this fun exchange!

Here, take a look at my goodies, and be jealous...

(oh, and PS. - visit PopRocks next week for my upcoming 200th post and give-away! Hooray!)

Good Things Come...

Good Things Come in Threes...

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait...

Good Things Come in Small Packages...

A few weeks ago, I was visiting Kelli's blog, Outside My Kitchen Window, and she had written a fun post called Pay It Forward.  It's a neat "game" where the first three people to leave a comment actually receive a gift in the mail.  Seriously!  So after squealing and jumping up and down a little bit, I left one of the first three comments for Kelli.  I patiently waited while Kelli picked out the perfect gifts.  And look at the package I just received in the mail...

*A cute spiral notebook for all of my list-making 
*A package of spring-colored pens (because no cute spiral is complete without them!)
*Some Jelly Belly jelly beans (the only real jelly beans)
*Yankee Car Jar - Sun & Sand (so I can daydream about being on the beach on my way to work in the morning)
*A hand-written card from Kelli
*And the neatest book mark with a silver "Faith" charm

Seriously!  Thanks so much Kelli -- what a treat!  

And now -- for the best part -- I get to Pay It Forward!

Here's how to play:  Be one of the first three people to leave a comment for me. You'll need to be willing to give me your mailing address, and I will send a small gift your way. After you receive your package in the mail, write a post about it, and link back to my blog.  You also agree to Pay It Forward and send gifts to the three people who comment on your blog (remember -- only leave one of the first 3 comments for me if you are willing to send out 3 small gifts to other people!) 

Ready, Set, Go!

Friend Makin' Monday (on Sunday)

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues." 

-Marcus Tullius Cicero

It's time for Friend Makin' Monday (I'm getting a head start!), and Kasey over at All That is Good is encouraging us to be THANKFUL today!  What a fantastic way to start off the week!  I hope you will join us -- get started by visiting Kasey here!

I'm so thankful for...

1.  An unshakable faith in God, and the comfort that it brings knowing that He is in charge of my life

2.  A husband with a great sense of humor, who always puts me ahead of himself

3.  A spirited, opinionated daughter who keeps me on my toes and on my knees in prayer

4.  Fantastic friends who keep me laughing and loving life

5.  My family (Mom, Dad, and Big Sis) and all the memories we have made together over the years

6.  A secure job with a fun and hard-working team

7.  The ability to find anything on Google

8.  The shoe department at Nordstrom., because some days it is the perfect pick-me-up!  

9.  Weekends with great open-the-sunroof kind of weather

10.French Fries (seriously, I love them enough to put them on my Thankful list!)

What are YOU thankful for today?

Month-o-Love (Two for One)

Day 26:  I heart...

Falling asleep early in ChellBell's bed while "helping" her with homework, even when it means not getting to blog that day

Day 27:  I heart...

Seeing the writing on the wall

I was asked to teach a class at church last night, since our Director of Kids' Ministry is out of town.  It was the preparation for Child Dedication, and 15 families showed up with the teeniest, tiniest, cutest little bitty babies to complete the class.  It is a very good thing that I do not have Baby Fever, but spending an hour with those little ones was enough to make even me "this close" to asking Chris for one more.

The content of the class was great and actually a good reminder for all parents about our responsibility to intentionally foster spiritual growth in our homes.  We focused on a few scriptures that remind us to follow God's mandate to love each other and to impress that on our children.  The verses also encourage us to have constant reminders of God's commandments surrounding us, and even to write them on the door frames of our homes.

I have to admit that we don't write scripture on our door frames, but I have found a neat way to display it on our walls.  My friend Tammy introduced me to an artist here in Dallas, Elaine Tate, who creates faith-based home decor and does custom lettering on old cabinet doors.  She has opened up a storefront, and the place is covered with scripture and uplifting wall art.  

Here is a piece that she did for us that has our "family verse" on it:

And I found this neat chalkboard in her store that helps us remember our weekly verses:

And another little sign that the Little Dog is happy to "model" for you!

Fortunately, you don't have to live in Dallas to get Elaine's great pieces.  She has a newly updated website: www.4homestore.com.  I can't get enough!

Month-o-Love Day 25: Take a picture, it lasts longer

Day 25: I heart...

Photo Safari Parties

On Monday, when Kasey asked us to list our Top 10 favorite things, I would have been remiss to leave off our Annual Photo Safari Party.  It is something Chris and I look forward to every year.  And though it sounds like a kid-friendly party, this is one event where we get a babysitter for everyone under 21, so they don't get in the way!

In case you're looking for a fun way to kick off the Spring, here are the details of our parties -- maybe you'll want to throw one of your own?

We have everyone show up at the house at 5 PM sharp with a digital camera and a full tank of gas, and for the next 30 minutes we assign teams of 4-5 people, have each team come up with a name, explain the rules, and issue the list of photos to take around town.  We come up with a list of 30 -40 possible pictures, each with a point value based on difficulty, with "bonus" points for taking it a bit further.  For example - 

Picture of team in a church - 5 points

Picture of team inside the church baptismal - 5 extra points

Have a Pastor in the baptismal with you - 3 extra points

So this picture was worth 13 points (the guy in orange is the minister who let us in the church):

At 5:30 we send the teams on their way and give them 2 hours to take as many pictures on the list as possible without going into anyone's home.  At 7:30, everyone is due back at the house (points off for each minute a team is late!), and while everyone is eating and enjoying a drink, Chris downloads all the pics onto the computer, puts them to music, and burns DVDs.  Then we all sit around watching the DVD of pictures, tabulate the scores of each team, and give out prizes.  We have T-shirts printed up as party favors, and everyone gets to take their DVD home.

I have to tell you that it is fun, every once in a while, to run around like we are back in college doing stupid crazy things just for the sake of a picture (I think one team got kicked out of the Target for being a little "wild").  It gets very very very competitive, and for my friends who really really really like to win (hmmmm, who could that be?), it is not fun to lose by 1 point.  But there's always next year...  

Last year we actually combined our party with a moving-away party for our best friends, so all the pictures had to do with things relating to their family.  Great way to say "goodbye".  And as you can see from her shirt, it was Becca's party, so she got to win.  And win she did...

Here are some of our favorite Photo Safari Party pics:

(Team members crammed into a car trunk)

(Picture in a grocery store.  Extra points in the frozen food aisle.  Extra points with a team member in the shopping cart)

(Picture holding a stranger's baby.  That Dad looks pretty reluctant, wouldn't you say?)

("employees must wash hands" sign -- they would have gotten extra points if it was in English AND Spanish)

(Team doing a cheer)

(At a nail salon, extra points in the pedicure chair)

Other pictures:

Getting frisked by a cop, pumping a stranger's gas, switch clothes with a stranger, picture with a Starbucks barista (extra points if he/she is brushing their hair), Team member wearing a girl scout sash, Picture with a stranger showing a tattoo, Team sitting in a golf cart...

The list goes on!

Month-o-Love Day 24: It's for a Good Cause

Day 24: I heart...

Cookies

And a legitimate, totally-justified, no-guilt reason to eat them.  Like the Girl Scouts -- how can you say, "no" to the Girl Scouts (or "Brownie Scouts" in our case)?  We are eating cookies for a good cause!

While ChellBell and I were in Fort Worth for the weekend, Chris did us a favor and picked up 150 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that ChellBell sold for her troop this year.  It seemed like a lot to deliver until we subtracted the number of boxes that will never leave this house, because they were ordered specifically for our family's consumption.  Frightening!

I was at a Recruiter networking event tonight, and one lady whom I just met asked me what I was giving up for Lent.  So maybe I've been in a cave, but I kind of forgot that today was Fat Tuesday (heck, every Tuesday is Fat Tuesday for me nowdays, based on the size of pants I am now fitting into) and that Lent starts tomorrow.  

It's days like this that I am happy to worship in the Protestant, non-denominational, non-Lent-observing church.  Because I'm sure that God would call me to give up Girl Scout cookies, and I might have a really, really hard time with that.

So, if you are facing another Lenten season with Girl Scout cookies sitting on your counter, take solace in the fact that they freeze well.  (oooh, those Thin Mints are really good straight out of the freezer!).  Gotta dash, it's snack time!

Month-o-Love Day 23: Monday

Day 23: I heart...

Friend Makin' Mondays

It's Monday, and I've just headed over to Kasey's All That is Good to get the Friend Makin' Mondays activity for the week.  This week we are sharing our Top 10 Favorite Things!  Since I have been blogging every day this month about the things I love, the hardest part of

this task will be narrowing the list down to 10 things!  But here I go...

1. Invitations at Erin Condren and any excuse to throw a party!

2. Ranunculus

3. Tory Burch flats

4. Our Annual Photo Safari parties -- a bunch of adults running around Dallas taking pictures of random things

5. Veuve Clicquot champagne

6. Singing along with Chris Tomlin (is that allowed to come right after champagne?)

7. Chandeliers

8. Fantastic Fondant cakes from Le Gateau Cakery

9  Brunch with my girlfriends

10. Getting to love these two every single day for the rest of my life

Okay... Now it's your turn!  Go sign up here to get started!

Month-o-Love Day 22: Short and Sweet

Day 22: I heart...

Home Sweet Home

It is nice to be home where the glitter, poms, and cheer bows of the weekend will be on hiatus for a while. ChellBell's team came home from the competition with another 1st place National title, which the girls definitely earned. No "Best Cheerleader" honor for ChellBell, but we were given the judges' score sheets, and they made notes on the things she did well and what she can work on for next year.

So we are now home, all glitter make up washed off, school clothes laid out for tomorrow, the Oscars on TV, dogs giving kisses. Just normal life.

Ahhhh, isn't normal life great?

Month-o-Love Day 21: Give me a C!

Day 21: I heart...
A confident 7 year old

ChellBell and I are on a girls' trip this weekend to Fort Worth for a National Cheer Competition. It is a 2-day event, so we will find out the verdict of her team's hard work at the award ceremony tomorrow. Regardless of the outcome, in my book, this girl is a winner!

When our cheer coach announced that there was an opportunity to compete for Best Cheerleader (by age division), ChellBell's hand was the first to be raised. It took me by surprise, because she's not that girl who is an attention-hog in front of large groups. She's not really all that comfortable in the spotlight when the audience includes more than her family and closest friends. But we paid our entry fee and went to work. That was, um, Wednesday. Yep, just a couple of days ago.

We put together a one minute routine (which doesn't sound like a long time until you're up in the stands watching your sweet girl out there by herself -- then it seems like a lifetime) incorporating a tumbling pass, a cheer, a dance, and as many "tricks" as she could do at her skill level. After watching the girl after her do a round-off-back-hand-spring x3, I am not confident that ChellBell will win this award, and I'm okay with that. And she's okay with that. She nailed her routine and had a great time doing it. What more could you ask for?

Here's her video (it's shaky -- sorry -- those aren't my nerves, as far as you know! It was just hard to watch and film at the same time!):

Month-o-Love Day 19: A random mix of things

Day 19:  I heart...

Before I tell you what I am "hearting" today, I will let you know that today was one of those "celery" days.  You know how celery is -- it's like crunchy water.  It makes some noise but has very little taste. No personality. Nothing to write home about.  (Sorry all of you celery fans...)  So today was a blah-like-celery kind of day with nothing really exciting or yummy going on. I thought to myself at one point, "I can't wait for tomorrow to come."  Tomorrow is Friday, so the thought was valid, but really I just wanted to get on with another day, be it Friday or not.

Bad Attitude, I know.

So to "heart" something today was going to be a real stretch. 

Until Becca called to talk about the crib.  The Crib.  It's my one heirloom-quality-pass-down-through-the-generations piece that I have contributed to the family.  It's an iron crib called the Paradiso -- it's pretty amazing.  And my sweet friend is going to use it in her nursery for her little Ian to sleep in when he arrives in May.  But here's the problem.  When we moved the crib to this house and put it up into the attic, the hardware got separated from the main pieces.  And the hardware has yet to be found.  I've been a mess, looking in every nook and cranny and box, like the shepherd searching for the lost sheep.  Stressing out about it.  But Becca was kind and forgiving and encouraging.  Don't you love a friend who doesn't yell at you when you majorly inconvenience them? (Now please go pray to St. Anthony, the patron saint of all that is lost!  And while Anthony is helping me find the hardware, maybe he will show me where I've put my brain).

So, I heart... my encouraging and uplifting friend.

After I got Becca's call and finished up some work for the day, I came home to practice cheerleading with ChellBell.  She is going to Nationals this weekend, and she decided to sign up for the Best Cheerleader competition.  That means she will be on that big mat in the middle of the convention center dancing and cheering to her new Jonas Brothers cheer mix of Burnin' Up all by herself.  No team mates, no coach, no Mama on the floor to help her along.  I'm proud and nervous all at the same time.  Having done a little cheering in my younger days, I absolutely squeal over the fact that ChellBell loves it, and that she gets to enjoy these fun moments.  

So, I heart...  Cheering, and getting to watch my favorite girl go for it!

I'm sure I will have footage after her routine on Saturday, but to tide you over, here are clips of ChellBell practicing some jumps on the trampoline and her doing a cheer after finding my pom-poms from high school (they're a little heavy for her!):

Month-o-Love Day 18: I'd like to thank the Academy...

Day 18: I heart...

Awards

I wrote my very first post on September 17, 2007, admitting to the world that I bribe my child with Pop Rocks for Breakfast in an effort to get her out of bed in the morning. Actually, I was just admitting it to myself because I don't think a single person came to visit. My poor husband has actually been caught on more than one occasion over the past 17 months posting "anonymous" comments so that I wouldn't be disheartened by no one coming to read what I had written (and I seriously love that he would do that for me!).

I've since realized that Pop Rocks is nothing more than my diary, similar to the one I had when I was a pre-teen, just less talk of acne, and I'm only crazy about one boy now... It's just a chance for me to mull over and spit out what the world looks like from where I stand.

What I didn't realize 17 months ago is that the blog world would be the place to come during a crazy-busy day, or at 3 AM when I can't sleep, to be reassured that I'm not missing a minute of what's going on with my friends. Even during this season of trying to juggle my job and being a good Mom and trying to be a half-decent wife, I don't feel like I've skipped a beat with friends. I still feel connected.

Connected to my best friend, Becca, who now lives a couple of hours away instead of a couple of houses away...

Connected to my life-long friend, Keri, whom I adore and want to be when I grow up...

Connected to the exciting times in the life of my sister, Carie, and what those 3 kids are up to...

Connected to the thoughts of my sis-in-law, Marci...

Connected to a high school friend, Nancy, after meeting in Tokyo 20-something years ago...

Connected to a daily devotional from my friend Laura, who loves Jesus boldly...

Connected to new friends like Jen, who is inspiring and simply a lovely person...

And to another new friend, Kasey, whose sincerity and love for people is evident in her posts...

Jen has been kind enough to give me my first blog award, isn't that sweet?!

Take a look at Tatertots and Jello when you have a chance, and you'll see why I have loved getting to know her! So before I get too distracted about the fact that I have an award, let's remember that there are some rules... I actually get to share this award with some of my friends who show a great Attitude or Gratitude in their blogs. So I definitely want to share this with Becca, Keri, Carie, Marci, Nancy, Laura, Jen (can I give it to you again??!!) and Kasey along with a huge thanks for opening your "diaries" and giving the privilege of being connected with you. Okay, friends, now you get to post this award logo on your blog and then share it with 10 friends. Make sure that you link to their blogs on your post, so we all know where to find them a message so they don't miss out on the love!

xxoo

Month-o-Love Day 17: Connectivity

Day 17: I heart...

Being connected

Wireline versus Wireless.

With Chris in the telecom business, these words have been a part of our "honey-how-was-your-day" conversations around the dinner table for about 10 years. Remember when wireless wasn't an option? When the phone had to be connected to the wall? (Oh, and those rotary phones??? Now I'm dating myself). For more than half of my life, I operated under the assumption that a phone would not work unless you could see the cord, the physical connection. A phone without a cord was of no use. Never was, never would be. But thank God for wireless.

I got the sweetest treat of spending 2 hours with a dear friend, Jolene, on Sunday. She used to live here in Dallas and I saw her all the time. But then business took them to North Carolina, and we went from having that connection where I could see her and hang out with her, to being "wireless".

Just like my beliefs about the phone, there were many years where I thought that if you couldn't see the connection -- if someone didn't live close by and have that regular "face" time with me -- that the communication wouldn't work.

But on Sunday I was reminded that wireline and wireless relationships -- those here and those away -- will both work, as long as we keep the communication going.

Many of my dear friends have moved away from Dallas (and don't think I didn't throw a temper tantrum about that!), but I thank God that we haven't been disconnected. These amazing friends continue to be amazing, and they continue to be a blessing in my life from wherever they are.

Month-o-Love Day 16: Friends!

Day 16: I heart...

Getting to know new friends

Kasey over at All That is Good starts every week off right with Friend Makin' Mondays.  I think it's a great idea! This week we're playing "this or that" where we can get to know more about each other and make some new friends along the way!

So here it goes -- a few random things about me.  

If I had to choose...

1. jog or walk: jog

2. coffee or tea: coffee (hazelnut, black)
3. pepsi or coca cola: neither, maybe an occasional Dr. Pepper
4. flats or heels: usually heels
5. fries or onion rings: fries (my all-time favorite food)
6. cats or dogs: dogs
7. skim or whole: yuck, I just can't do milk...
8. small purses or large: small
9. van or suv: SUV
10. winter or summer: summer
11. 1 piece bathing suit or 2: 2 
12. sit down restaurant or fast food: sit down
13. McDonalds or Burger King: Mickey-D's
14. White Gold or Yellow: Yellow
15. Fish or Chicken: Fish
16. Edward or Jacob: (sorry, I haven't gotten into this craze)
17. Pizza or Burger: Burgers (yummmmm)
18. apple or orange: orange
19. Spend or save: Spend
20. 1 story or 2 story house: 2 story

Won't you play along?  Head over to Kasey's and get connected, but leave me a message before you do, so I can read your list!

Month-o-Love Day 15: Blast from the Past

Day 15: I heart...

Mixing the old with the new

This generation definitely has the coolest stuff ever, and I am happy to jump right in and take advantage. I don't understand people who feel like life was better without technology. Seriously? Do they remember the days where we had to leave notes for each other because we couldn't text? And when we had to use pay phones? And we couldn't look up addresses on the internet? And we couldn't pay at the pump?

I am aware that our innovations and progress have tripled the pace of our lives, but I still believe, with all of our conveniences and ability to communicate, that this is a better day.

But in the same breath, I'll admit that every generation has contributed things that should not be overlooked or forgotten. From my Grandmother's generation, it is Frank Sinatra. From my Mom's generation, it is Elvis Presley. And from my generation, it's... well, there's a whole list that includes The Electric Company, Dukes of Hazard, and Pac Man.

I want ChellBell to seize every ounce of progress from her generation, but I want her to enjoy some of the things that I grew up with, too.

My new friend Jen over at Tater Tots & Jello introduced me to Hulu, my new favorite site, where we can download movies and TV episodes for free. ChellBell and I spent some time on Hulu today, and I introduced her to (drum roll, please) The Partridge Family. We sat and watched an episode of The Partridge Family on our computer -- what a great collision of the generations. There were a lot of parts in the show where she had that "huh? I don't get it..." look on her face, but when David Cassidy aka Keith Partridge started singing, she was as enamored as I was at her age. If I could only get some old Donny and Marie episodes as well...

I tried my hand at introducing ChellBell to Bewitched, but she quickly pointed out that there was no color on the show and got up, went to her room, and got on Webkinz while I sat there wiggling my nose just like Samantha, hoping, like I did at 7, that it would actually work.

Month-o-Love Day 14: Comfy

Day 14: I heart...

Comfortable

So you already know that one of my bad habits is buying shoes that I am in love with, but the truth is that I love to shop for everything, not just shoes.  I am a shopper.  There, I said it.  It's the thing my husband likes least about me.  I love shiny and new, and the fact that my clothes won't fit into my closet (my cup runneth over) is a sign that I probably have too many.  

As much as I get excited about new stuff, I have one pair of jeans that I wear all the time.  I love them.  They are comfortable and have probably been worn a few too many times.  But they fit better than any other pair of jeans, so regardless of the fact that they look "loved", I continue to wear them and will choose them over even my new stuff.  

There's nothing like a good pair of jeans that fit, that feel right, that have been worn-in, and that feel plain comfy. I don't think there is a better feeling than comfy.  Just plop-down-on-the-sofa, hang-out-and-be-yourself, not-having-to-suck-in-the-belly-to-look-skinnier kind of comfy. Can I get an amen?

Chris and I have been married for 12 years, and it has been 12 years of favorite-blue-jean kind of comfy.  It's easy being with him. I would say it's the easiest part of my life.  Even when I haven't brushed my teeth in the morning, he wants to kiss me.  When I've had a frustrating day, he understands.  When I need a sounding board, he listens.  He cheers the loudest when I attempt something new.  He understands that I need time with girlfriends. He puts up with my moods.  We have debates but rarely fight.  We laugh a lot. I know he would rip the heart out of his chest if he thought I needed it more than him.

We're complete opposites, and we're okay with that. Somehow it just works.  

Happy Valentine's Day, Chris.  I love how comfy we are.  I love that we fit well together.  When it comes to love, I don't need shiny and new, because I think we've got a good thing going.  A good thing that's going to last a long, long time.

Will you be mine?

xxoo

Month-o-Love Day 13: Breaking the rules

Day 13: I heart...

Dressing the part for Valentines' Day

Well, it's Friday the 13th and people do all kinds of crazy things to avoid the unknown-yet-looming consequences of this very frightening day.  I've never really been superstitious, but I am keenly aware of everything that went wrong today and am blaming it on the calendar.

Superstition comes in many other forms, and in fashion, I am somewhat superstitious about wearing white before the approved time of year.  I try to avoid the unknown-yet-looming consequences of portraying Spring before the calendar has given me the thumbs-up to do so.

But today I broke the rules.  And if you know what a compliant, rule-following girl I am, you probably whoo-hoo'd to think that I would step out of line.

I had to run by Target last night for a few last-minute Valentine needs and found these little "Valentines" to wear to the office today in celebration of the holiday.  And it didn't bother me a bit that I was sporting white long before Easter.  Okay, honestly, it absolutely did bother me, but it felt kind of good to break the rules!  

So go ahead and break the rules (it's all in the name of LOVE!). 

And speaking of love... Don't you LOVE Target?

Month-o-Love Day 12: Her crafty ways

Day 12: I heart...

The Valentine Box

And this one will be full of Valentines by the end of the school day tomorrow. 

(eek - how exciting!)

ChellBell and I started our project with a box and some supplies

And a little cutting action

 To yield some hearts for covering the box

We rested for a few silly moments

And then got to work to make this

And now ChellBell has a super-cute Valentine box 

and lots of fun goodies to take to school tomorrow

Including this fun little shovel for the best 2nd grade teacher ever

I could just squeal!