Faces of Eli

He won't smile for the camera; instead he'll make a face. I'm sure one day he'll wonder why he pulled this shit for so many years, as I have very little pictures of him with a cheerful smile, but I won't care. It will be, for me, a great reminder of him at this age; wild, funny, and doing all that he can to not fit the mold.

My brown eyed girl

I've wanted her my whole life. A little girl with brown eyes. Sweet, innocent, delicious. And look at her. I got her. And I'm so incredibly thankful every single day.

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma Go

I have a wonderful loving Mom. She tucked me in bed each night, and woke me up each morning with a smile and a kiss. She was happy, jolly even. Always prepared for the chaos that my siblings and I were about to offer. She cooked three meals a day for our family, worked a full time job, and still managed to smile. I’m amazed by her. I thought every Mom was like her, but as I’ve aged, I realize how lucky I am to have her. How lucky this world is to have her. She’s a role model for me, to be the most excellent mother and wife that I can be. As an adult, I’ve found more appreciation and admiration for her. I call her for advice almost daily, and look to her to help me walk through this journey of motherhood. I would be lost without her and the world is brighter because of her.

Happy Birthday Mom, I love you and celebrate you always. xo

A tribute from your biggest fans: 

Swinging from a tree and loving every minute of it!

Playing together

 He brings toys over to her and shows her how to play with them.

 Shows her that his toy loves her toy by making them hug...

 and then shows her how much he loves her.

Sangria!

Sangria, Sangria, oh marvelous wonderful Sangria! How I crave you when it's warm outside and sip you slowly. You are one sexy bitch!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 750ml bottle Riunite Lambrusco
1/2 cup of brandy
1/2 cup of triple sec
1 cup of orange juice
1 cup of cranberry juice
sliced fruit (apples, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, grapefruit, lemon, oranges, you get the point!)

Add all of the ingredients together and chill for several hours.

A friendly reminder (number 6)

"Things and conditions can give you pleasure but they cannot give you joy - joy arises from within." ~Eckhart Tolle

This moment does not define me. It doesn't define you either. It's just one moment, gone, another one to follow. What are you doing right now? Where are you going? Do you have a goal? At the end of this life, will you be able to look back and say you were happy? You found joy? You're proud of the life you made. You loved who you shared your life with?

Happiness isn't a destination, nor is anyone else in your life responsible for making you happy. You're in control. Do what makes you happy. Sounds simple, but isn't. Should be easy, but it's hard. Live your life for you, and others around you will benefit from it. Stop. Making. It. Hard.

This message is just as much for myself as it is for you. It's a friendly reminder with a little bit of bossiness.

Crawling

She’s on the move, that girl. Life just got a bit more interesting here, and my resume continues to change. Referee has now been added, along with keeper all of toys that Little Guy doesn’t want her to touch. “Hold this Mama, I’ll be riiiiiight back!” as he runs for more toys to gather. She’s fast too, that little girl of ours. She’s all around this house, investigating things she’s been staring at for the last six months. She doesn’t give a hoot what room she’s in, just don’t hold her back. She no longer wants to sit and talk, that’s lame. She wants to shuffle around a bit, get her feet wet. Figure this shit out. So we all sit and watch her in amazement. This little flower of ours is blooming, and it’s breaking our hearts.

I didn't take a single photo

the calm before the storm (more on that later)

sand angel

playing in the sand

the cousins

Thanks to my family for snapping a few pictures for me!

Shedding some weight...

The following post was written by my Mom. Thanks, Mom!

When my husband decided it was time he lose weight, I knew I would have to get on board and be his help mate.  After 27 years of marriage during which I prepared 3 square SOUTHERN meals a day with snacks in between, he was quite a bit overweight.  He was contemplating a job change that would necessitate weight requirements as well as a more strenuous daily work agenda.

With the guidance of a low carbohydrate diet given to him by his physician, he changed his eating habits and added exercise, via a treadmill, to his daily routine beginning January 4, 2010.  After almost 18 months, he has shed 90 pounds and looks and feels marvelous.  

He often gives credit to me for helping him in his healthy journey due to the lunches I prepare for him.  He works four 10-hour days, so his “lunch” is eaten over a 10-hour period.  On the days he works, he eats only two meals: a three-egg ham and cheese omelet and his packed lunch.

Lunch Items:

Homemade Trail Mix (almonds, pecans, dried fruit)

Fruit packed in two separate containers – oranges, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, cantaloupe, bananas, blackberries, watermelon (always fresh, not canned)

Apple

Oven Roasted Turkey Breast – Sliced Thick (nickel width)

Raw Vegetables – carrot sticks, grape tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers

The almonds, pecans, and dried fruit are eaten around 11:00 am.

Around 2:00 pm he eats one container of fruit and at 4:00 pm an apple is enjoyed.

At 6:00, he eats what he considers his “meal”:  4 slices of oven roasted turkey breast, raw vegetables, and the remaining container of fruit.

Eating healthy and staying active is what it takes to get and stay fit. This post is a great reminder that eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated, and by sticking with basic knowledge and getting plenty of protein and your servings of fruit and vegetables in, plus some exercise, you can achieve your fitness goals. Happy HEALTHY eating!!!

Dude, I'm busy

Like "Can't I get a break to blog?!" busy. My children are usually on the same nap schedule, but lately, Love Bug's nap is a little bit later than her big brother's and once I lay her down, it's time to get him up, and so I am with child every single moment of the live long day. It's ok, I don't mind. In fact, I really enjoy spending time with each child alone, however my blog is put on the back burner. I am not the parent who sits on the computer while with my kids. Not my phone either unless it's a quick text here or there. They deserve my undivided attention and besides that, if I break out any electronics Big Guy wants to play with it and Love Bug wants whatever object that is holding my attention in her mouth. Go. Figure. Here are some cute pictures that I took over the last week that I wanted to share. I am thinking of you my lovely blog family, and hope to be back on schedule soon!

Big Guy in his coon hat! (A present from Grandma)

Love Bug's 4th of July outfit!

Things I learned today

• I miss my long hair. I'm growing. Again. 
• Letting your kid veg out to TV and eat breakfast on the couch is the perfect beginning to a day. 
• Walking to Starbucks without pushing your kids in the stroller is fun. 
• Friendship is so important, and hanging with a great friend on a Sunday morning energizes my soul. 
• I'm ready to go back to college. 
• Getting a part time job would benefit me. 
• My husband really loves me.
• Happiness isn't a destination, it's a journey. 

What did you learn today? 

Granny's meatloaf with Mom's sauce

I never liked meatloaf as a kid. Probably because it's my Dad's all time favorite meal, and I'm just spiteful like that. Nothing like a complaining ass kid to ruin your favorite meal. However, in my adult years, it has become one of my favorite meals. Follow this recipe, and I promise it'll become one of your favorite meals too.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THE MEATLOAF:
2 eggs, beaten
Ground Beef (1 1/2 pounds)
Ground Sausage (1/2 pound)
Small onion, diced
Green pepper, diced
12 crackers, crumbled
Pepper

Start with your beaten eggs in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the rest of your ingredients in and form it into a meatloaf shape. Place the loaf in the middle of a 13x9x2 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from oven.

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
1/2 cup of ketchup
1/4 cup of water
2 TBSP brown sugar
2 TBSP vinegar (apple cider, rice, white wine, red wine)
1 TSP mustard

Mix well and pour over your meatloaf and bake an additional 15 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.

Let stand 10 - 15 minutes (or longer) before serving. Enjoy!