My Newfound Discovery

Maybe I'm behind the times. Or maybe you've never tried it either. I just discovered how incredible a nice cup of hot peppermint tea can be.

Being a Southerner, through and through, it's odd that I don't like sweet iced tea - at all, actually. But I love a cup of hot green tea. I have a problem when my kids go to bed about snacking, even when I'm absolutely not hungry. So, since I discovered peppermint tea, I've been trying to fix a cup before bed. It actually acts as an appetite suppressant, so I'm loving it.

Try it!

Splish Splashing Birthday Fun

Well, Saturday was a hit. My baby turned two with a bang.

It was a GORGEOUS day. In mid-July in mid-Mississippi it's rare to have a day that you can stand the sweltering humidity, but this was one for the record books. Sunny with a nice breeze - a high of only, yes, I said ONLY 86 degrees.

We had a slip and slide, two baby pools, water guns, water balloons, and of course the huge blow up water slide...

...which my dear husband couldn't help but try.

I hit the slide myself after the party wound down, but rest assured, I captured no pics of that. My husband wants to get one every weekend now. I promised I would rent him one for his birthday if he really wants me to. That is, if he wouldn't rather have pony or train rides. We'll see what he's into closer to time. :)

And of course the day wouldn't be complete without some sweets. I couldn't have been happier about how these cupcakes turned out.

And no, I didn't make them. We all know how that would have turned out. They are from Cakes & Candles in Ridgeland, for all the locals. I've ordered from them before and have never been disappointed. Every time I go to pick something up, it's so much cuter than I had hoped.

We also had Bop's. Again, for you locals, you know what I'm talking about. Only the best frozen custard on the planet.

Like I said, the day was a hit. And well deserved for this special little lady. She's been such a blessing to our family with her sweet, loving personality and her hilarious facial expressions. I love her so much and as sad as I am that she's already two, I wouldn't have it any other way. These two years have been so much fun and I can't wait for the rest.

Happy Birthday, my baby!

Bad, Bad Blogger

I've been busy - so shoot me.

Baby girl's birthday party preparations are well under way. Tomorrow she'll be two and we're celebrating with a huge blow up water slide. Should be fun, just hoping it doesn't rain! This morning, she has been "helping" me clean while her sister has been asking over and over who all is coming to the party.

Have a great weekend - I know we will!

It's off to work "we" go...

Thanks to the stupid economy(and my shopping habit), I've taken on a part time fundraising job. Although I love the life of leisure (if that's what you want to call spaghettios and dirty diapers), I'm excited about joining the working world yet again. I'll be working with some really good friends but will have minimal office time, so that means I get to work from home the majority of the time, which translates into time with my babies. Score! Of course when I have events, I'll be a basket case, but you do what you gotta do.

I worked full time 8-5 when I had my first baby. When I had baby number two, I kept my full time job and worked from home for a few months, which was taxing, to say the least, but this is a much different situation, so I'm looking forward to it. Oh, work, how my brain has missed you! Plus, after a year of staying home full time, office time is actually really enjoyable. I went into the office today and it's nice to have a Mommy break on occasion.

No worries, though - writing is my first love and I'm planning on continuing to write!

Happy Birthday to America

Better late than never, right?


We kicked off the Fourth of July weekend with celebratory pancakes courtesy of Daddy. I even let them eat them while they watched Dora Saves the Mermaids.



We spent the majority of the day at the swimming pool and then cooked out with the neighbors before heading back to the pool for night time swimming and fireworks. The late night resulted in the invevitable terrible two tantrum when we were trying to leave for church the next morning. Welcome to my world...

And that was after I got her dressed. Getting her shoes and hairbow in was nothing short of Divine Intervention. Trust me.

But this makes it all worth it:

I haven't posted much of my writing lately, mainly because of negligence. This month's Portico Jackson magazine featured a story I wrote on the Mustard Seed in Flowood. I've always heard so many amazing things about this place, but had never had the opportunity to visit. My friend Mandy works there and was such a help with the story and arranging a tour.

I hate to say that the Mustard Seed is a "facility" for mentally challenged adults, because it is so much more than that. It's a community, a home, a refuge, and so much more. If you live in the Jackson area, I urge you to find out more about this awesome place. When I was doing the tour, I told the executive director that I had never felt so good about myself as I did walking through those doors, simply because I got so many hugs and the "seedsters" were just so excited that I was there to visit with them.

After my tour, I got an email from Mandy that said - "We drew names at Christmas. Jerry loves High School Musical, especially Troy Bolton! So when Megan drew Jerry's name, she knew the perfect gift. My favorite part isn't Jerry's reaction, it is how genuinely happy everyone else is for him." She sent this YouTube link. Check it out for a taste of the Mustard Seed.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth!

One of "those" moms

We all know that mom whose house is always clean, she cooks every night, her kids never have snotty noses, her waist stays small and her makeup's always on. Yeah, well, one of "those moms," I am not.



Case in point - my failed attempt to make cupcakes for my kiddos last night.





I think the picture says it all. I'm not Betty Crocker. BUT - they were good (and made from a mix with a can of frosting, I'm proud to say).


I actually enjoy cooking, but need a break about every other night (my husband hates this about me, I'm sure). My kids are lucky to get Cheerios in the morning.




It's 11 a.m., excuse me 11:30 a.m., and I'm still in my pjs. Hey, at least it's a.m., that should count for something! There are toys all over the house, all the pillows from the couch and the beds are in the office where my kids have been making a "clubhouse," and I've finally decided I'm ok with it. I'll clean up later.


So to all "those moms," good for you. I'm jealous at times and sometimes exhaust myself trying to keep up. But the way I see it, I have really amazing, fun kids, despite their mom's baking abilities. I mean, they don't lose any sleep at night.





I'll order cupcakes for birthday parties and I hear Cheerios are good for your heart, that's what the box says anyway!


I'm off to play in the clubhouse! Happy Thursday, everyone!