don't call me, i'll call you

You know your life is crazy when your therapist has to call you twice to remind you to reschedule your appointment from three weeks that you had to cancel last minute because you had a meeting come up unexpectedly. I am pretty sure I am in for a lecture at our appointment today. Some days I just go into her office and shut my eyes and listen to quiet for minutes at a time while she drinks tea. And it is worth every penny. It's almost better than wine. But definitely better than yoga. Because I am not sweating.

Men will always be mad, 

and those who think they can cure them are the maddest of all.  

~Voltaire

hula girl worship

I have been trying to find quiet time to recharge and de-stress over the last few weeks in between the busyness. I squeezed a quick trip into our local library with Lila this last weekend for some new books. They just finished our library last fall and it is gorgeous, with lots of natural light, reading nooks, self-check out computers and scanners, toddler toys and craft room. Oh yeah, and the kids book section that has books in bins close to the floor. For toddlers to walk up and down the aisles emptying the bins on to the floor. Genius people. Who apparently like to do a lot of clean up at the end of every day. Perhaps they would like to visit my house if they are still looking for some more pick up work?

On the recommendation of my friend Blair (friend, cough, fabulous lady who's blog I stalk), I picked up a copy of "Such A Pretty Fat" by Jen Lancaster. Jen is my soul mate. Every time I read one of her books, I stay up reading waaay too late in bed, giggling under my breath while Brian shoots me weird looks for laughing at a book. In this book, Jen talks about her journey to lose weight, a goal I am so feeling right now. 

 "But ever since I made the decision to drop a few pounds - way less easy than it sounds, by the way-  I've become obsessed with my size and in so doing I've inadvertently allowed my inner critic to have a voice. And you know what? She's a bitch. Like now when I see my underpants in the laundry, I no longer think Soft! Cotton! Sensible! Instead I hear her say Damn, girl, these panties be huge." 

My other moments of quiet have been loading up my iPod with new worship music for the car. I get bored with worship music after a while. Which sounds bad because I should be thinking, "Wow, what an awesome song about God that someone wrote and we are still singing it years later." But instead I am driving along thinking, "This song is super old. I used to listed to it on a cassette tape in Roxy, my '88 maroon Honda Civic in high school. I loved that hula girl on the front dash. I wonder when hula girls started being portrayed with coconut bras? They can't be comfortable...oh right, I could sing of your love forever..."

We sang this new worship song, "Song of Moses" by Aaron Keyes at church several weeks ago and loved it. I started singing it in my head all week so I finally gave in and paid the $1.29 so I could listed to it for real and not with the made up words in my head. Love it. Hope it gets you out of your worship song rut as well. 

Praise the Lord, our mighty warrior

Praise the Lord, the glorious one

By his hand we stand in victory

By his name we overcome

~"Song of Moses" by Aaron Keyes

pinning away

The weeks of this summer continue to fly by, with meetings for work in the evening, trips to Target that take 5 million hours, and a little trip to Wilmington for meetings this Friday and Saturday (minus my Lila Bean and Brian). So since my real life is too busy to actually stop and take pictures, let's have some photos from my fake life: Pinterest. Follow me on Pinterest and we can steal each other's ideas :-) Here are my favorite pins of the week. 

Source: meghan-blum.blogspot.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

I would love to replace the builders double vanity in my bathroom with something like this. I think that would totally change the look of the room. 

 

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

I think sharks are fascinating. And any show or movie where they eat people or animals is both hilarious and cool. So basically, Shark Week on Discovery Channel that starts in a week is the Best. Week. Ever. 

Source: une-deuxsenses.blogspot.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

I have been spending a lot of time looking at fall styles since I will need to buy some new clothes when the weather changes. Because I have lost seven pounds this last month (blatant bragging and show-off-isms). Lots of running on the Duke Trail 5K loop that is all hills while pushing 40 pounds of baby and stroller will do the trick. 

 

Source: g4tv.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

I cannot begin to fathom how many screaming matches and subsequent arrests outside of minivans in the Target parking lot that would ensue from actually having these cards. But it would be pretty awesome to watch.

Source: ginnyphillipsphotography.squarespace.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

Loving this idea for Lila's room redecoration. Especially if I could change photos out. And the color scheme is fabulous. 

mom envy

I know all full time working moms envy stay at home moms. We envision them lovingly sitting at their cleaned off (never full of laundry and unopened mail) dining room table doing art projects with their toddlers, both of them dressed in the latest Gap styles with brushed hair and full makeup at 9am, drinking their hot coffee (never left to sit until it's lukewarm but still gulpable if you hold your nose) and setting up play dates with the neighborhood toddler group for story time at the local library that afternoon. 

And I know my stay at home mom friends think wistfully of our days spent at an office, talking to adults about actual current events (not singing the new Fresh Beats song "Here We Go" for the 23rd time in the last two hours), sitting at our desk browsing through email while drinking a cold diet coke with dry clean only outfits (without peanut butter smears), and having a day doing something that fulfilled our passions. 

Basically all moms have mom envy from time to time. And right now, I have got a serious case in need of a quick shot of Shut-Your-Whining-icilin to the hiney. It is so easy to use the flippant response about how easy it would be to just stay home, especially in the mornings. When I am running around half naked trying to keep Lila away from the ironing board (and dog food bowls) while I pass an iron over my most wrinkle free clothing that hopefully passes as business casual, putting on makeup on my drive to daycare because if I try to put it on before I head downstairs than I sweat it all off before I get to work, chugging coffee into my empty stomach since who has time for breakfast, trying to pack up a diaper bag and laptop bag and purse (and make sure the pacis don't end up with the laptop cord), trying desperately to make it to work before 9:15 so I am not over fifteen minutes late AGAIN. 

Some days it is hard to see that God gave us this life and it is a blessing to have two jobs that pay our bills. Sometimes it is hard to remind myself that God did not give me more than I can handle. That I am working damn hard and that is good enough for me and Lila and God. And that I have an amazing husband that runs outside with his tie undone to carry the baby out to her car seat even if it means he is late for work. 

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.  

~Louisa May Alcott

butterfly in the sky

Lila and her BFF Daisy took a trip out to the Museum of Life + Science recently to see how they liked all the interactive exhibits. We are so luck to live only 15 minutes from this great museum and have been contemplating buying an annual membership. But I was not sure if she was old enough yet to enjoy the museum. I stand corrected. 

Daisy and Lila are such awesome play date friends because their demeanor is so similar. They both like to play hard and get upset when they get pulled away. They like to steal each others' snacks and cups back and forth without getting upset. And they both are very inquisitive and social.

They both loved the museum, especially the giant playground with percussion wall. The butterfly house was pretty cool to Casey and I, however the girls did not seem to care that there were beautiful winged creatures all around them. They cared more about snack time. 

We were having such a good time outside and in the butterfly house on the back side of the museum that we barely made it inside the actual museum before it was time to go. I still think the exhibits are a little over their head, as it is hard to explain space travel to someone who does not understand shoes. Nevertheless, I think it was a successful trip. It inspired me to continue to get out and try new places for Lila, even if they seem a tad too old for her. And to always bring Daisy along for play dates. 

You've got a friend in me, You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles then I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together we can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me

~"You've Got a Friend In Me" by Randy Newman

shamless plug

I don't ask people to vote for us on Mommy Blog sites or help us make money by having sponsors. Not that I am judging that, it's just not my thing. However, FREE family photo sessions by amazing photographers are my thing. The photographer that did Lila's newborn photos (you can see the recap here) is having a photo contest on her Facebook fan page. She posted her favorite photo from all her 2010 sessions and people can like a photo to vote for that family. The family that gets the most "Likes" in the next two weeks wins a free family portrait session! And she is randomly choosing one of the new fans that participated in the contest for a free portrait session for you too! Win, win....win win win. 

And so my dear, dear, fabulous, funny, best person ever blogger friends...will you take two seconds and vote for us?? We are currently in third place out of 51 so we have a shot. And because I want you to see the adorableness that is my baby. The photo above is the actual one you will be voting for and who could not vote for that precious chubby arm, tutu wearing little love??

2 steps to be my BFF

1. Click on this link for Rebekah Tozer Photography, LLC Facebook fan page and click "Like" at the top of her fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebekah-Tozer-Photography-LLC/138544702884370

2. Click on this link to go straight to Lila's photo in the contest and click "Like" on her photo to vote for her: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=160496690689171&set=a.160495370689303.40819.138544702884370&type=1&theater

I see we gonna break it down in just a few seconds
Don't make me break it down for nothing 

Now I wanna see y'all on y'all baddest behavior
Lend me some sugar, I am your neighbor
Shake it, shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake it (OHH OH)
Shake it, shake it like a Polaroid Picture

~"Hey Ya" by Outkast

tuesday tips: blind as a bat

Welcome back to another edition of Tuesday Tips! For this blog hop, you can write a post with a tip about life, kids, marriage, your house, favorite products, etc, grab my button, and come on back here to link up your post! Hope you will join us :-)

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This week's tip is our favorite website find for ordering glasses. Both Brian and I need glasses because we are super cool and blind. Okay, I am just mildly near sighted so I am basically fine until I have to see things more than fifteen feet in front of me. Like when I am driving...so kind of important. Brian on the other hand is legally blind without his contacts. He has to lean over six inches from his contact case to make sure he is picking up the right thing. 

And vision insurance is a rip off. They pay for $100 off your glasses, as long as you do not try to order contacts in the same year. Because apparently you could not possibly need both contacts and glasses at the same time. And then we found Zenni Optical and suddenly we have glasses abounding. We can have several pairs, depending on our mood. Or perhaps the color of the sky that day.

Zenni Optical is super cheap. Brian can order his prescription glasses for his astigmatism, reading needs, distance needs and like super high strength for $45. NO JOKE. My kind-of-needed-but-not-really-needed glasses were $20. So you go to the eye doctor, endure the air blowing in the eye craziness, feel like a crazy person because you cannot tell #1 from #2 no matter how hard you squint, and then get your glasses prescription. The only measurement the doctor will not do, since they normally do it at the glasses store, is the distance between your pupils. To measure this, sit down very still and have your spouse/significant other/best friend/child with a study hand hold a ruler up to your face and measure the distance between the center of your two pupils when you are staring straight ahead. 

So grab yourself some new specs today! And just to clarify, I received no free products or endorsements from Zenni Optical, I just think it is awesome to pay $20 instead of $200.  

I wish I could remember where I put things. I spend half my life looking for my keys. 

With the other half I look for my glasses.

~Sara Paretsky

summer time girls

The last couple of weeks have been so much fun, hanging out with family and friends. I love seeing Lila laugh and play with the community she has grown up in. I love how freely she opens her arms and leans into others with no reservations. I love how she toddles about, always pushing away hands, too big to be bothered by my cautious assistance. I love how Brian and I can laugh and hang out on a date night, knowing that Lila is having a fabulous time with her G and Mimi while we get to be with each other. This summer has been a time to stop and enjoy the moment, even as life and jobs and craziness swirl around us. I pray that Lila will grow up learning how to put down the dirty dishes, grab hands and step out into the sun for an impromptu pool party in the baby pool or a walk down the street. Because moments are what count and the dishes will always be there. 

 

Lila playing with her new popper push toy from her Papa and Nanny

 

Lila and her Uncle Patrick at Cracker Barrel

 Bunny cheddar snacks at the pool

Itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini time

Saturday morning trip to the Durham Farmer's Market

 Such beautiful colors and beautiful yumminess

Lila's first taste of freshly squeezed lemonade

 "Kung Fu Panda 2" movie night in the park

 

Come and catch me Mommy!

Don't forget that tomorrow is Tuesday Tips blog link up, where you can post a tip, any tip about life, family, products, cool places to go. Hope you will join us for Tuesday Tips tomorrow and link up your blog post!

New Kids On The block had a bunch of hits
Chinese food makes me sick

And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer, for the summer
I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch,
I'd take her if I had one wish,
But she's been gone since that summer, since that summer

~"Summer Girls" by LFO

has anyone seen my dentures?

Some days I feel old. Like when I try to jump out of bed instead of roll. Or when I fall asleep on the couch before 9pm (all time record of 3 nights in a row this week). Or when I keep track of how much fiber I have consumed in a day. But never do I feel more like a crotchety old woman than when I listen to the radio. What the heck is up with all these ridiculous songs by these ridiculous teenagers who cannot sing? 

One artist I cannot even begin to understand is Ke$ha. Someone please explain to me why she has a dollar sign as an actual letter of her name? Or why it sounds like she has the hiccups when she is singing? A new song from Ke$ha (it is ridiculous to even type) came on the radio this week and I almost crashed my car because my mouth was hanging open in shock while stared at the radio. Allow me to share these absurd lyrics...

O when you get back my pop quiz
What will you think when you read this?  

Mr. Watson I Want To Get With You
I Won't Tell A Soul What We're Gonna Do
Want To Get My Hands In Your Khaki Pants
Teacher, Teacher, what cha' gonna do?
'Cause I am coming on to you 

~"Mr. Watson" by Ke$ha

Basically Ke$ha makes me turn into an old lady staring down my reading glasses and waving my cane at all the young'uns and their bad influence on the next generation. Little girls think she is cool with her overuse of sparkly makeup and it makes me want to vomit. And lock Lila in the house with Psalty playing on repeat all day. 

So then J Lo come on the radio next. And please, Jennifer Lopez? You are and will always be Jenny From the Block. Apparently Jennifer is having a mid life crisis. Because her new song is supposed to be the "party anthem of the summer."  

Its getting ill it’s getting sick on the floor
We never quit, we never rest on the floor
If I ain’t wrong we’ll probably die on the floor

Dance the night away, Live your life, and stay young on the floor
Dance the night way, Grab somebody drink a little more

~"On the Floor" by Jennifer Lopez 

I think the fact that she uses the phrase, "It's getting ill on the floor" should really point out that it might be time to leave the dance jams to those that don't need a touch up on the roots every four weeks. And seriously? She has twin toddlers. I am pretty sure she has never even seen a dance floor in the last two years. Her evening drinks probably come out of a sippy cup. J Lo, sweetie we love you and your bodacious behind but throw on some yoga pants, grab a half glass of chardonnay and call it a night with a Lifetime Made for TV movie.

Like everyone else who makes the mistake of getting older, 

I begin each day with coffee and obituaries.

~Bill Cosby

momma in focus

Linking up with Casey this week for Momma In Focus with a patriotic theme. I am not going to lie. I did not get any photos of just Lila and I being patriotic. Probably because we had horrible thunderstorms all afternoon and evening the 4th of July which means all fireworks in our area were cancelled. There were fireworks the next day, but of course I took the opportunity to fall asleep on the couch at 8:30pm. Wouldn't you rather take that choice too?

So we will have to make due with pictures of Lila being adorable with a flag, one of the 3 of us, one of Lila and her Auntie Katelyn and one from the memories of last year's fireworks when she was just a little bald baby. Don't you love the adorable dress Lila's great-grandma made her? By the way, whenever I see that one of Lila with her flag, I start talking like Will Ferrell impersonating George Bush and spouting about "'Merica, home of the brave...err, free? Ya'll I can't remember what the saying is..." Seriously, if you have never watched this video, you are WELCOME. 

I'll use this shovel on this devil horse if I have to. They move so fast!

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  

I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.  

~Abraham Lincoln

tuesday tips: so fresh and so clean

Back for another edition of Tuesday Tips! This blog link up is super easy: you post a tip, any tip, on your blog and then come back here to link up. It can be tips about kids, household, jobs, anything! Just share it with us so we can all learn something new. 

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I hate going to the dentist. Not a fan. My teeth are well taken care of and clean, but they are not shiny white chicklets like you see on some people. Not that I am in any way saying that I would like to look like I have blinding white horse teeth. No offense Hilary. But when I go to the dentist I develop a sever case of smile envy. One that cannot be fixed unless I were to shell out thousands of dollars to lay in a chair listening to bad 90's music while I let a guy drill in my mouth.

Photo Credit

My teeth have never been crazy white, no matter what gel, cream or toothpaste I tried. And then my sister recommended her new toothpaste and I tried it. And in no way received the product for free or was endorsed to write about it. And I am loving the Arm & Hammer Complete Care Extra Whitening Toothpaste! My teeth are definitely a couple shades whiter and they do not hurt or get super sensitive like the effects of some of the whitening gels, which sucks when you have to do pesky things like eat or drink. So grab yourself some whiter teeth today!

Photo Credit

 The tooth fairy teaches children that they can sell body parts for money.  

~David Richerby