The sweetest editor

I knew the time was coming, but I had no idea it would be so soon....

This chic said to me, "Mom you don't make sense when you write."  

What?? You mean I'm not an award winning author?  I have grammatical errors?   I've never claimed to be the best writer, and if you know me I pretty much write like I speak.  I'm glad I'm 'me' when I write and I know I'm true to our family in this here scrapbook I keep. 

The past few days Layla has been reading the blog.  She's been reading old posts from years ago.  She giggles and asks questions about what happened and when.   I'm so happy she's having fun reading it and it counts as 'reading' time for school!

I'm so proud.  It's the one thing I'm happy to keep up with and I always seem to make time to squeeze in a post or two even when life is crazy. 

Honesty she didn't point out specific errors, she asked me about a few sarcastic sentences.  I'm good with it.  I hope she continues to read it and I'm happy to continue to post about our life events.  

She's now my official proof reader!!

I got to meet Courtney!

I have followed Courtney's blog for years.  I remember reading about her family back during a time when they were possibly moving to Texas, obviously when I lived in Texas.  I've read all about her sweet kids and doing so made me feel like I'd known them for real for ever. 

Well, during our adventures traveling with Gary this week we got to meet Courtney and Lauren today.  They came to our hotel and Lauren swam in the pool with the kids while Courtney and I talked for a few hours.  It was great to sit and visit with her.

I am truly blessed by all the blog friends I have and I love when internet friends become real life friends.  The kids love it too because they see the benefits of this blog!  We have friends everywhere!

word-full wednesday

It is officially that time of summer.  The time where I miss my blogging friends because I am so busy with the kids I haven't made the time to check on my friends and read their updates.  If you are a blogger you probably know what I mean.  Having two kids home 24-7 is amazing.  I love their sweet little faces, but I also love when they go to school so I have a second to myself.  I just want to say I miss you all so much and I do read when I can.  There are so many new twitter friends I have made that also have blogs and I can't wait to read them.


Today is Layla's 2nd day at golf camp and I'm pretty sure she is loving it.  She practiced her swing last night in the backyard and I already think she is better!  I am so happy for her.

It helps that a few of her buddies are attending the camp too.  Everything is better when you get to be with friends.  Since I mentioned friends I must mention that I had a fun time this morning too.  I got to visit with a few mommy friends while the kids were golfing.

Us moms did lots of chatting and had coffee.  Hayden and his friend played monster trucks on the golf course patio.  It was a win-win!

Anybody's kids have super sensitive ears?  Hayden hates loud noises.  He doesn't like the swimming pool because it is loud.  He despises public toilets because they flush too loud.  If someone is squealing or screaming near him he will get up and leave.  I remember Layla having sensitive ears and she outgrew it, but he hasn't outgrown it yet.  Bless his heart.  It drives me bonkers.  At first I thought he might have a hearing problem.  I remember last summer when I had that horrible ear infection my hearing was super amplified.  Nope, his hearing is good.  He just has sensitive ears.

I miss reading recipe blogs and researching new recipes.  I am such a recipe nerd and I could read recipes for hours!  I'm excited about a recipe exchange Jenn {one of my dearest friends} is bringing back. You heard me right....bon appetite is back!  Starting next Tuesday we can link our blogs to her site to share our favorite recipes!

Have I mentioned iCloud on the blog before?  I love it.  Gary and I share an iCloud account, so we share a photo stream and I can see his photos and he can see mine.  If he is out of town traveling and he takes pictures of the scenery I can see those pics.  {as long as his is connected to wi-fi}  I have our photo stream set up to my Picasa account also.  When I open Picasa on my PC the pics will load right up and I can edit them.  I also have them linked to my online Picasa Web account so they are uploaded to the internet and I'm able to put them right on my blog.  I am no pro at iCloud.  I have played around with it to figure all this out, but I LOVE IT.  It makes my life so much easier.  The number one thing I like the most:  my pics are on private albums on the web.  If my computer crashes my pics are safe.  I may be in trouble if Picasa ever goes away though.  Let's just not think about that.  I have pictures stored there from YEARS past.

Check out Sipes and I.  I created this crazy effect with one of the many photo apps I have on my iPhone.  Isn't it the coolest?  I am almost as addicted to editing photos with my silly iPhone apps as I am reading recipes.  I could play with Instagram for hours.  But I also like these:

Let me know if there are any other fun photo apps I need to know about!

Now, I think I will pick up my Layla bug from a crafting birthday party and hit the swimming pool.   A late afternoon swim sounds just about right on this steaming hot Wednesday afternoon!!

Lovin' my new lookie look!

I am so excited about my make-over!

I love it :)

I won this fun make-over from Jenn!

Go visit Jenn when you can, and get your recipes ready because
she is starting a recipe exchange!

I am so excited about this :)


You guys know how much I love to cook & eat.
The exchange is right up my alley =)

And this whole make over was done by Jenn

Jenn was so easy to work with. I felt like I was so indecisive. I wasn't prepared for a make over, and I prefer a really simple style. Jenn was so amazing to work with and very patient with me :) She was able to help me stay with my love for fences!

I hope you all have a great Sunday evening!

I know I will, and I'm going to have an even better start to the new week with my new look!!

I got a prize and I like it!!

I won an amazing giveaway from a sweet blog friend!

Look at all the fun things I received...

A book titled: The Creative Counterpart, a purple bookmark, matching purple journal,

purple nail polish and yummy candy.

{Ilovejournals&Ilovepurple}

Seriously, it is like she jumped into my brain and read my mind.

She picked all the things I love!

She even included purple raffia...I simply opened the package and put it in this glass bowl.

Easy as pie, and such a pretty way to display the candy that lasted about 2.5 seconds in this house.

Erin is an amazing person...if you don't already read her blog go visit her.

Home's Where My Heart Is

Two reasons I blog...

1.) To have a journal for my family and to document our lives.

2.) To continue to make great friends.

Thanks for all the goodies Erin :)

I can't wait to dive into the new book.

I read the first few pages and can't wait to read the rest!

One of my two Little Tooter Pants

Cheezin' it up!

Shake your bootie!

Stopping to pose for a quick picture during a recent shopping trip to the mall.

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Oh how I love this little girl!

I was looking back through old posts from 2 years ago and am so happy that I started blogging. It is great way to keep family & friends up to date on the happenings of our family!

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Tomorrow we are going to the preschool to meet Layla's teacher for her last year of preschool! She will start kindergarten this time next year.

~Time has flown~

I cherish each and every moment I have with my 2 kids. I am always making up names for them and often I call them tooter pants! Silly I know ;)

Payin' it Forward

Yesterday was a fun day for me!

I got mail...fun mail from Lauren at Snellings Stories.

Check out the Starbucks gift card, throw blanket and earrings. I love coffee AND earrings.

I recently did a makeover on the playroom/den, and this throw will be PERFECT for winter snuggles.

Lauren posted this and now it is my turn.

You too can get mail :) As moms we don't always treat ourselves as often as we should. That makes this so fun!! I can taste the white chocolate mocha right now. I think I will wear my new earrings and head out to Starbucks...weehoo :)

Now I get to pass on this contest to all of you!

Here are the rules...

1) Be one of the first THREE bloggers to comment on this post.

2) You then agree to share your snail mail address with ME (my email is in my profile) so I can send you a small gift handmade/purchased by ME!

3) When you receive your gift, you then blog about this game & link back to my blog in that post.

4) And most importantly, you ALSO AGREE to pay it forward and send a small gift to the 3 people who comment on your blog post

I know you like to get mail...fun mail :)

Awards...for little ole me??

I want to shout out a big Thank You to two amazing bloggers I have recently received awards from. I know...blogger awards...sweet. I am so humbled and honored for receiving these awards. Four in one week.

For my daily dose of laughter I go to visit The V Spot.

Thank you Vivienne for the Queen Award.

And I received three awards from my friend Chrissy at Bitter Sweet Moments.

Thank you ladies for the amazing awards. I truly enjoy reading your blogs everyday!

Thanks for the support you have given me. ..to all of my *followers...thanks also :)

{cheeks turning red} *followers are on my left sidebar..give 'em a click

The blog world is a fun place for me to go for support, ideas and new friends. For my IRL (in real life) friends, I know you may not understand when I talk about a blog buddy, since I haven't really met them in person and all. But that is okay! My blog friends know how I feel. So for all you non bloggers and bloggers go visit some of these blogs to 'meet' some of my friends!

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The Polka Dot Daisy

5 Silly Frogs

Outside My Kitchen Window

Step Inside

Snelling Stories

Stuff By Alli

What are we doing?

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These ladies are amazing writers...you'll be addicted in no time :)