Burger Balm for a Sorrowing Soul

After two glorious weeks of enjoying the company of my parents, I had to bid them farewell for their return to the island nation of Indonesia. In the words of Shakespeare, parting really was such sweet sorrow. The kids are at that tender stage where they are literally growing overnight and I think it bruises my Mom and Dad's heart to not be closer to watch them leap and learn.

Soon after breathing in the warm scent of a sleepy baby girl and kissing the tossled hair of an energetic little boy, we made the seemingly quick drive to the hotel where my Mom and Dad would spend the evening prior to an extra early morning departure to the airport. Mother nature must have felt my pain because at two in the morning, the heavens opened up and poured buckets of rain down to earth and threw lightening bolts every which way.

I shuffled upstairs to feed Chloe in the pitch dark as our alarm clock flashed and I looked in at the spare room where both my Mom and Dad had rested their heads. Not a trace of their visit remained- sheets and duvet cover were neatly laundered, the bed made up and the bathroom held no remaining vestiges of their toiletries. It was as if they had never been there.

Nausea and despair met in the pit of my stomach to form a knot that couldn't be relieved by sleep or nourishment. Oh, how I miss them so much!

On Friday, I told Troy that I couldn't bear to be in the house nor did I have the heart to cook. So we ventured out to Main Street, Rowlett to see what there was to see.



Main Street is a quaint little road housing the library, a city hall as well as small charming stores here and there along the main route. We found Big Star Burgers along the strip and stopped in to soothe my weary heart.

The star on the front door was a nice touch to the title and theme of the place.

Troy quickly ordered us up some bacon cheeseburgers with a side of onion strings and as we waited, we took in the decor of the place.

Old movie posters lined the walls, giving the place that diner feel to it. We chatted together and let the worries melt off of our shoulders.

After feeling a little down {I am not good at goodbyes} it was good to get a nice laugh at our family dinner. Here is the title of the movie poster closest to our table:

Here is what finally lifted my spirits and gave me a giggle:

Women without men- except in their memories! Too funny.

I miss you Mom and Dad. Hope you are getting home safely! On your next visit, we'll have to bring you to Big Star Burgers so you can laugh with me at the posters too. Write me soon! :-)

P.S. Peyton has been looking for you both. I don't blame him.

Summer's Bounty

On a splendid Saturday morning, we crammed into two vehicles and made our way to downtown Dallas. On the horizon, the Farmer's Market appeared like a bright mirage in the otherwise cement wonderland. An explosion of flowers in seperated flats lined the street with dew still clinging to their delicate petals.

Stretched out before us lay hundreds of beautiful juicy jems; all fed and nourished by rays of gentle sunlight and God's good grace. We meandered through the covered canopies, taking in the vibrant colors and partaking of the succulant goodness that comes from the very freshest produce available.

There were many invitations to treat ourselves to samples of 'the goods'; so we nibbled here and we nibbled there and pretty soon, our fingers were sticky sweet with the juice of peaches, nectarines, plums, watermelon, pineapple, mango, cherries and strawberries.

What made it home with us: Asparagus, peaches, nectarines and bananas to share, strawberry-rhubarb preserves for me and some lamb chops for my sweetie.

What I wanted to bring home: One each of everything else!

Peyton enjoyed some cantalope- rind and all.

Summer is so scrumptious!

What have you been enjoying lately?

Busy Little Fingers

While this was going on...

This was happening in the other room...

Approximately one and a half days before my parents were to arrive from across the seas!

This bansai didn't see this coming in it's mellow soil filled oasis.

Poor little bansai, he was only one week old before he was literally uprooted out of existance. :-(

Guess we're not ready for plants on the end tables yet. Just don't tell his new school; they have plants AND a garden there. Oh boy!

I'm In Love...

Check out the family portrait we had Tracy Nuskey-Dodson of the Vintage Sister Studio paint of us.

I can't wait for these to come home and live with us!

Pure heaven I tell you!

The Building Blocks of Character

Peyton's personality has slowly been unfolding recently like a butterfly emerging from its chrysallis. Sometimes it makes us laugh at what he comes up with; other times we have to grind our teeth together because he's pushing every boundary in the book. He's been catching on with what things are called and how to say things in context a little more rapidly within the past few months.

For instance; last night he tried his first mint brownie and devoured it as fast as his little mouth could. When he saw that 'Daddy' still had some brownie left on his plate, he started gibbering and pointing at Troy's plate.

Troy, not falling for the easy 'gimmee that' ploy; asked what Peyton wanted and prompted him with, "Do you want more brownie? B...R...O...W...N...I...E." Troy said it slow and drew it out so that Peyton could hear the letters and pronunciation.

Clear as day, Peyton points at Troy's hand holding the holy grail of a mint brownie and said "Brownie!" There was no hesitation or mistake- he sure wanted that treat!

About two weeks ago, Chloe was on the couch having a hard time and fussing and thrashing her little legs {Troy and I call it 'bicycle kicks' because it looks like she's trying to pedal a bike}. In an instant, Peyton was at her side and leaned over to level his face with hers. "Shhhhh! It's 'kay Chloe!" he whispered and held his finger to his lips. Where did he learn the finger-to-the-lips move?! It's so funny to watch him in action!

Another funny story; we sometimes give Peyton his or Chloe's dirty diapers and tell him to take it to the trash. Sometimes he does this excitedly like it's a big game. Other times, he tries to shirk his duty by pushing the diaper back towards Troy or I and says, "All done!" Meaning in Peyton-speak, "No, thanks." Troy laughs and says that he's already trying to get out of doing chores. Oh boy, we're in for it!

The Luckiest Girl in the Universe

It was 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5th. The sun wasn't even fully awake yet. Troy stood by my side of the bed and whispered, "Beau..." {his nickname for me which is short for Beautiful}. I hadn't slept well the night before; excited anticipation for what the day would bring and a baby girl that wanted to feed three times over the course of the night had prevented me from getting quality sleep. I rolled over and looked at him with eyes that don't see clearly without contacts. "Whazgoinon?" I mumble trying to squint out his form before me. "Happy Birthday! Come open your presents." I groan and snuggle deeper under the covers.

"Ididn'tsleepwellI'msoootiredhoney..." I manage to say slurring all of my words together. "You want to wait until later to open your presents?" he asks, a slight twinge of disappointment creeping into his voice at the thought of that. I squint harder and look at my darling husband that has that excited Christmas morning-like twinkle in his eye. I slowly peel back the covers, stumble into the bathroom to put in my eyes and let him lead me out to the living room. This is what greeted me on the kitchen ledge:

"It's your very own favorite things party!" He says gesturing at the gift bags lining the ledge. "There's 30 of your favorite things in those bags." I glance over at him slack jawed and astonished beyond measure. "Wha-at?" I stammer. "Where do I start?" "Where ever you want!" He exclaims with excitement. I do believe he is acting as a five year old child is on their own birthday- too ecstatic to sit still.

So I began pulling at the tissue paper of the first bag to look in and behold the delights therein.

He was right about my favorite things... he had all of his bases covered! Lavender Chamomile bubble bath, tingling mint body wash, yummy smelling shampoo and conditioner from Victoria's Secret, C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve lip gloss, Panama Jack sunglasses, White Barn Candle Co. candles, Mossimo tee shirts that fit {no small feat for my long torso}, pink cushioned slippers, gift cards to Barnes and Noble and Blockbuster, all of my favorite treats to pacify my sweet tooth, a bottle of coke zero and a bottle of Barq's rootbeer, a coupon to spend the day with him while Peyton is at school {to be redeemed in the fall},a coupon to spend the day by myself kid free to do whatever I want and in the center of it all, an arrangement of delicate flowers finished the effect. Whew! To say I was spoiled would not even be the half of it!

Here's me with my loot ↓

...And I wasn't even done yet! My Uncle Bruce and his lovely lady Chris sent me a beautiful leather covered journal that features a strong tree with winding branches on the front- one of my favorite things of nature. Inside, there is creamy plain white paper; no lines- just blank pages so you can doodle, write and sketch to your hearts content. It is truly gorgeous.

I was also spoiled by my new friends here in Rowlett. My friend Suymey stopped by with a mini rose plant and a card and presented it to me with her three adorable children in tow.

Julie made a trip over to bring me two balloons; one a butterfly and the other an 'Over the Hill' balloon {ha ha!}, chocolate kisses, and a birthday card.

For lunch, my friends Allison and Erin met me at a wonderful Italian place just around the corner from our house. Allison treated me to a really tasty Calzone at this place which was a very nice gift. I went home after that; put both kids to bed for a nap and somehow, they both slept at the same time leaving me free to read a little out of a novel!

Then it was time to get ready for dinner. I dropped off the kids at Julie's {I told her that I was going to take the kids with me and she would just not take no for an answer so I enjoyed dinner in peace last night!} and then I headed all the way over to Allen to the Cheesecake Factory over there. Aidan, Jeremy and their cutie patootie Shelby met Troy and I there and we feasted on corn fritters and Cajun Jambalaya Pasta. For dessert, I had a slice of the lemon raspberry cheesecake while Troy devoured a piece of Godiva Chocolate cheesecake.

As if that wasn't enough, Aidan somehow knew that I was having a dickins of a time finding something to outfit our mantle over the fireplace because she presented me with two fleur-de-lis bookends that are just perfect for our decor. I will say that I took the candles down that were previously up there looking dwarfed in comparison to our oversized mantle and hoisted the bookends on top of the candle holders so that they look like they are elevated and all flow as one piece. They were just too pretty to turn to the side with books nestled in between where you wouldn't see them; now they are a central feature of our living room! It still needs a few more things, but it's an excellent start I think.

What a day- it was more perfect than I could imagine. I loved every bit of it and was so happy to be surrounded and heaped with mountains of love yesterday. Thank you to everyone that wished me happy birthday and made my day so very special! I wonder what the next thirty years will hold...

Child's Play

This is a fun activity we used to do with the kids when I was still teaching preschool.

The kids love to paint the fence with water and watch how the wood grain darkens with each stroke of the brush.

Peyton of course was no different! He l♥ved it!

He even got some cement action in there too.

...And then sat in it! At least it's only water! :-)

All done!

{He cracks me up with the way he sits cross-legged. He has done this ever since he was a baby and this is still his favorite way to relax!}

There's Nothing Better Than...

Sundaes on Sunday!

P.S. Yes, we shared this {meaning Troy and I}. Did you really think I ate this whole bowl all by myself?!

Well... okay; it's been known to happen before. :-)

I mean really, who can resist ice cream on a hot summer day?!

The U-G-L-Y Birthday Song!

♪ U-G-L-Y
You ain't got no alibi
You ugly
Hey, hey you ugly!

I got a dog that looks like you
You must be ugly
He's ugly too
Hey, hey you ugly!

Yo mama says you ugly! ♫


♫ Happy Birthday, happy happy birthday!
Happy Birthday, have a happy day, yeah!
Do we have a birthday here?
Yes we have a birthday here!
Birthday where?
Over there!
Ohhhh, happy birthday, happy happy birthday!
Happy Birthday, have a happy day, hey! ♪

When I worked at Red Robin, we had to sing this song to whoever was having a birthday. Consider yourself initiated, Bruce! :-)

P.S. This morning we had breakfast to celebrate you- wish you could have been here too.

Happy Birthday Bruce! Hope it's a good one!

Born in '79, This Chick was a Child of the 80's!

So... next week I turn thirty years old.

{Like, totally!}

We'll pretend that I'm too old to get pimples...

{NOT!}

That I didn't really buy a pair of leggings last week to go under a too short dress...

{Cowabunga Dude!}

And that I don't look like I'm somewhere between high school and college age.

{♪ call me at 867-5309 ♫)


I'm still super in ♥ with this man.

{he's rad.}

He {like} makes me smile every day.

{for sure!}

Without him, I'd go crazy!

{♪ if there was a problem yo, I'll solve it! ♫}


I think he's the cuter one of the pair of them...

{♪ you've got to be cruel to be kind ♫}

I'm not quite sure why he keeps me {or umm...} her around!

{♫ just beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it...! ♪}


Last week he took me on a date for some Mexican food...

{where's the beef?}

And to the 2:20 showing of Harry Potter!

{it was all that and a bag of chips}

Just don't tell him he's dating an older woman. ;-)

{oh snap!}


All in all, I'm pretty excited to be in my thirties!

{♫ you gotta fight, for the right, to parrrrrtttay! ♪}

I'm really blessed to have a wonderful husband and two great kids, an awesome house in a beautiful area- I just wish I had all of you awesome friends to celebrate the big 3-0 next week with me.

{♪ you down with OPP? yeah, you know me! ♪ }

Love you guys! Here's thirty kisses from me to you...

XxXxXxXxXx
XxXxXxXxXx
XxXxXxXxXx

{peace out.}

Shop Til' You Drop

Groceries for Dinner: $31.00

Decorations for the house: $42.00

Screaming, hysterical infant at checkout line while your two year old {who already had a nap for the day} snoozes away oblivious to the musical orchestration conducted by his nearly two month old sister: Priceless

Don't you just love shopping? ;-0

Today...

...we enrolled Peyton in preschool! He'll be starting at a Montessori school this Fall. I love the Montessori Method and I think Peyton {having such an independent soul} will really do well with it. Our little boy is growing up!