A Few Blessings...

As we get older, I think our birthdays matter so much less. And we have kids and other priorities. And we just don't really matter, to be honest. Dana and Julie (and Samson, of course) were sweet enough to spend my birthday morning with us having a birthday smoothie in the sunshine. It was really wonderful. Nothing too outstanding or extravagant, but actually so perfect. It truly is that they just took time from their day to spend it with me, enjoying a smoothie. :) We went to dinner later to celebrate also...a beautiful night with beautiful friends.

A Fun Distraction...Check it OUT!

So, I haven't posted for over a month because I have been very distracted with my new venture - Stella and Dot! It was about this time an entire month ago that I went to my 3rd Stella and Dot trunk show. I first decided that I wanted to host my OWN trunk show to earn some free jewelry as I wanted to buy much more than the one necklace I purchased. To make a long story short, after some chatting with another stylist, Andrea, and a meeting, I was sold that I wanted to start selling S&D myself. Needless to say, my "blogging" time has been taken over with "Stella and Dotting" time (as my friend Julie calls it). I have been setting up trunk shows for others and good friends, watching videos and reading information to help me as a stylist, and buying jewelry to add to my collection to bring to trunk shows. I am so excited and I believe this is definitely right up my alley! Jewelry, styling, trendy looks, socializing...perfect. Here are some pictures that Julie took at my first trunk show (other than my own) at her house. Let me know if you want to chat about a trunk show at your house - tons of fun with your lady friends and shopping for cute, stylish jewels!

Double Scoop Girl

Today we visited the zoo (pictures to follow) and then had to make a stop at Molly Moons. Mmmm...I think I like it more than Lance and Lilah. They would be happy with Dairy Queen or Baskin Robbins. I love the tasty salted caramel ice cream there. And make it a double scoop, please! I told Lance as I watched ladies come in and get little baby scoops or share with their hubbies, that I wad glad I don't do that. THIS is one reason why I workout so religiously and hard. I mean, I also love the way I feel and I like being healthy. I like to wear whatever I want and that I am modeling good habits for my girls. However, it's also because I want to be able to get two scoops at Molly Moons!! And to haveizza for dinner tonight! Don't get me wrong, I eat mostly healthy. I eat a lot of veggies, fruit, proteins, and have 5 small meals throughout the day. I make mostly good food choices and feed my family healthy dinners. But, I do like my treats. So, now you know when I won't miss my workout or get up at 5am to fit it in...so I can get that delicious double scoop of salted caramel ice cream next time we are in Wallingford. ;)

Like It's Been Forever

Although we have only been friends and spending time with Mike and Julie (and Mason and Samson) for about 3 years, it seems like we have been friends for a lifetime. They are such a special couple and really such great friends. We can count on them for anything - help with the kids, someone to talk to, a couple to pray for us or with us, a good laugh, or a hug when we need it. Both Mike and Julie are so warm, loving, and welcoming. The four of us are like 4 peas in a pod - Mike and I being alike in many ways, and Julie and Lance being alike too. We have a lot of the same interests and most importantly have our values, child-rearing and marriages focused on Christ. Enough of all the mushy talk...since Mike was at home for a break from the season, they came over for a bbq (which they mostly provided all the food, we provided the house and barbeque). The kids just adore one another and we adore each other's company. My mom joined us for some good company and good laughs. Thanks Muchlinskis for being our good buddies and forever friends!

Holding hands and praying before dinner

5 Month Old Baby Doll

Feeling Bored, Lonely? Need Someone to Talk to?

Come on over. I have a three year old that could seriously talk your ear off for days upon days. It is neverending at our house. Lilah is talking all of the time. At times I miss the days that she couldn't say much or she just had a limited vocabulary. Now that she knows a ton of words AND understands so much, it's dangerous. The worst is in the car. She asks about 20 times per car ride, "What's that?". I have explained countless times that I cannot look around to see what she is talking about because I am driving and have to focus on the road. But, she still asks. If she is not asking us, "What's that?" then she is asking, "Why?". Sometimes I have the patience to actually continue on the "why" questioning for a few rounds. Sometimes I just have to say, "Just because". At the dinner table she wants so badly to be part of our conversation that she starts making up stories. Tonight I was thinking that Lance must think I am having an affair when she randomly starts talking and telling this story that goes something like, "Yeah, so this guy...well, he was doing 'someting' at my work...". She sort of trailed off. We asked her what this "guy's" name was. His name was Bill and she works with him. Doing what, we asked. Oh, just working on fires. Hmmm...interesting. The best part though (and of course I can't even think of an example right now) is when Lance and I just die laughing at something Lilah says (which is nearly every day). Sometimes it's because she sounds like a mini-me talking to Eden, and sometimes it is just something that coming out of a three year old's mouth is pretty hilarious.

Organized Chaos

I actually take a class with this title at Fly Fitness, but it reminded me of our beach date yesterday. I decided to brave a short morning at the beach with both girls alone. The little beach is very close to us and I figured it would be no big deal to do with my 5 month old and 3 year old. I'm being a little dramatic because it wasn't so bad, but not my favorite way to spend the morning. And that's a lot coming from me, who LOVES sun more than a lot of Seattleites. When I used to live in downtown Kirkland I spent many a summer days sitting at "unemployment beach" (you know what I'm talking about if you've lived in Kirkland) for hours and hours. I don't mean like 2. I mean like 4, or 5 hours. So the "organized" part of this outing was my pre-planning. I first timed it so Eden had her morning nap and I fed her before we took off. Nice. I had a huge umbrella to put in the sand to keep Eden in the shade, but so we could still be in the sun. I had towels, Eden a sunhat, snacks, water, camera, phone, wallet, toys, all the necessities. I had Lilah and myself already in our suits and lubed up. Smart, right!?! Well, it was a little windy when we got there and the umbrella would barely stay. And that meant sand got all over the towels, and on Eden. She rolls all the time, so she wouldn't really stay in the shady part of the towel. And Eden decided she really would rather be held. That meant though that I needed to keep her shaded as much as possible to keep her fair skin out of the sun. And I had a huge beach bag, a lunch bag, and a golf umbrella. Oh and the two girls, and no stroller. Unfortunately I have only two hands, and I needed about 5. So, our hour beach morning ended with a trip to Fred Meyer for a new blow up pool for our yard so our beach trips are few and far between (unless I have a friend or husband with me). I also got on Amazon to order a big, nice beach/park blanket and a little shade tent for Eden. Phew...reliving yesterday made me tired.

Had to get a shot of my "set up" at the beach. What a joke. But...we survived.