Short n' Sweet

This week was slightly out of the norm for me. Monday I found myself holding one of these...

So that I could hop in this...

I was happily whisked away to spend 48 hours soaking up one of my favorite people.  His smile looks a lot like this...

It was a fabulous little get-a-way, short but sweet! I slept in (probably the highlight because I'm pretty crazy about sleep) we strolled, did a little shopping and had a fabulous dinner catching up with some of our favorite friends Sam and Jared. Hanging out was long over due and we monopolized a booth at this charming little restaurant for four hours...

I actually couldn't believe it when I glanced at my clock as we walked out the door. Time flew and we were having so much fun I didn't even think to snap a picture, BOO. It is rare to find friends that you can  spend years apart from and feel like you don't miss a beat, they are something to be treasured (here we are way back when with our tiny girls who are now energetic little five year olds, slow down time you're going way too fast!)...

A little extra sleep and some quality time with Nate was just what the doctor ordered, but I have to admit I was pretty excited about seeing these sweet little faces...

A little time away gives you such a fresh perspective on what a joy is to spend the 1,440 minutes you have everyday with such sweet little people. So thankful for the opportunity thanks Nate for continuing to make the effort to love me so well, it was fabulous. 

The Simple Life

This week has begun to give a glimpse of what the sun has in store for us. It feels like Spring is right around the corner just waiting to move in permanently. 


Here in South Texas it is the best time of year. Not too hot, not too cold, but juuuuuust right. I love the fact that all you have to do is whisper the word "outside" and Emerson beelines it for the front door. She is eager to explore which includes showing her adoring audience (aka Mama) a leaf...

It doesn't take much to make her happy. Think shovel...

And a little dirt...

I was thankful for the opportunity to spend a little one on one time with her this week. Carter took a very grown up trip to the coast to hang out with her Grammy and Grandad. I knew this house was going to be very quiet without her and was so glad to have my little Emme to keep me company. As busy as she is lately I'm soaking up little moments like this one (don't judge my lack of makeup and contacts, Emme doesn't seem to mind if I don't get dressed up for "work")...

Thank goodness she still lets me snuggle with her every once and a while. I know it won't be long before she is headed off for exciting overnight visits just like her big sister. Carter was in hog heaven and beyond thrilled to meet her cousin and new BFF Hattie...

Together I think they gave their grandparents a run for their money! I'm so thankful for such amazing people to influence my girls. Carter is home safe from her excursion and is chatting non stop about swimming, museums, make-up, and what must have been a fabulous Alice in Wonderland-esque un-birthday party. It's going to be hard to live up to her new definition of fun after such a memorable week with the G-parents. 


I headed out this afternoon to pick her up which meant a rare hour in the car all by myself. It always takes me a moment to adjust. It's like I don't quite know what to do with myself. But then instinct kicks in. I reach slowly for the dial and bump the volume up....up....up....I sing along at the top of my lungs (it's hideous but I'm alone so I forgive myself for being grossly off key). I scan through the stations searching for the songs I know by heart. Music can take you back to a place faster than anything. With each chorus I remember a different moment...and then I'm brought back to the present one. It's sappy I know but as I sing along to, "You're Gonna' Miss This" I feel so thankful that you don't have to tell me that twice. 


One thing is for sure, I decided long ago I wasn't going to have to look up and hate myself later in life for wishing away all the little moments. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I'm not so crazy about my greasy hair and the PJ's I didn't seem to make it out of, but nothing lights up my world like the two little girls that spend every day in it. So here I am at 30. Doing my best to make the most of it, love hard and live each day without regrets...

(don't worry I was at a stoplight when I snapped this mom)

Do I lay down sometimes and feel like I failed, sure. But I think the thing I'm realizing is that feeling is what drives me to want to dig deeper and be better. I cherish the failures for the success it will bring me in the future. Hoping that in the end that makes me a better mom. It's a simple life but I love it...I want to live the simple life.

Monday Carter Edition #82~M.I.A

Monday Carter is missing in action...










I can't seem to find her anywhere...










Oh well, I'll just have to share a photo of this vintage beauty...

Happy Monday!

Lately

I realize that none of the things I'm about to share really go together. This is by no means a cohesive post, but it encapsulates the happenings on a daily (or weekly basis). A little glimpse into how we roll around here.


Lately Carter has become pretty infatuated with make-up. I actually had the thought the other day that she might grow up and win an Oscar for some fabulous make-up on a blockbuster movie one day. Needless to say she puts the kit she got for her birthday to good use and beautifies me any chance she gets...

She explains every step as she goes, making a point to let you know exactly why you will be so pleased with the results...

Meanwhile there's this little babe (with her fabulous comb-over)...

Who spent the better part of an entire afternoon refusing to take off this fancy little number...

Literally, every time it fell off she brought it to me to put back on, I die. I finally managed to coax her out of it for a leisurely soak in the tub. Lately she lays back and takes it all in. All you need is the magic word "relax" and back she goes...

We've also been soaking up the sunshine. The weather has proven tricky lately, going from freezing to perfection some days overnight. A trip to the Kiddie Park was just what the doctor ordered...

We were accompanied by friends (which makes any outing better). Emme enjoyed exploring with Claire...

And Carter enjoyed having a buddy for every ride (flying saucer with Hudson)...

But she also doesn't mind flying solo every now and then...

Emme found some good spots for chillin'. A yellow bench...

And the always popular daddy's arms...

She also had a VERY big first...

She passed with flying colors...

And then did a little more chillin'...

I sure do love these little chicks. Oh, speaking of love we were spreading it around this past Monday. I don't go nuts for Valentine's Day but I am definitely a fan. I enjoyed putting together gifts for each of my little Valentine's and also whipped up these pumpkin muffins for my little punkin's...

And I was thrilled to receive the most fabulously over glittered dyed daisy's you've ever seen (my sweet little Carter picked them out just for me)...

Her Daddy picked some out too...

L-O-V-E. Also known as pigtails (so yummy)...

This week we also found ourselves at one of the best "little kid" parties I've ever attended. There were PJ's and dancing...

Bouncing and sliding...

Bows and balloons...

And wish making...

And when the stars came out everyone grabbed their blankets, popcorn and settled in for a movie...

What a fabulous party Cayce, you totally out-did yourself!  Happy birthday to Jaden, one of Carter's favorite people...

And there you have it. The latest and greatest from around here. We're heading out to make the most of a rainy Saturday (I heart 3 day weekends) but I'll leave you with this...Hair Pulling (Carter is not a fan)...

Happy weekend to you!


All photos in the post were taken with my IPhone and enhanced with Instagram a handy little app I've fallen in love with. I adore my "real" camera but sometimes life happens when it's not around!

Bigger and Better

Some things are just bigger and better in Texas. I'm going to have to bust out with a little lone star pride and say that I'm pretty sure the rodeo falls into that category. We spent two nights enjoying all the festivities and kickin' up our heels last weekend. Friday night we headed out with some of our best buds and got there a little early to enjoy the fairgrounds...

Carter was loving hanging out with some of her best buds Jaden (pictured), Hudson, and Claire...

She was also loving all the horses...

We were having a hard time pulling her away from all the cowboys, but the promise of a few rides seemed to do the trick...

We knew it would be a late night so we left Emme snoozing at home with a sitter.  I think Carter was kind of digging all the undivided attention...

Our threesome went for a little spin on the Ferris Wheel...

And then Carter got to get in on the horse riding action...

I love this photo because it totally captures the happiness you can see all over her face every time she rides a pony...

Who knows, maybe she's grow up to be a cowgirl...

A cotton candy eatin' cowgirl to be exact...

It was a sweet night with our favorite little five year old...

The next night we were headed back for a date night...

We were happy to have the chance to spend the evening with our good friends Kenny and Molly who drove up from Corpus Christi...

It was another fun night filled with mutton busting, barrel racing, and bull riding, but the real highlight was the entertainment by Lady Antebellum...

They were awesome and so was the company...

I heart Texas!