Friday, January 8, 2016

Hello- It's Me...

Oh my.  Like, fo ril.
I just experienced a three year hiatus from this blog.  I honestly never thought I would be back, but I have to be honest...

I. Missed. My. Blog.

Really.  I missed what this blog was for me, and this year I have decided to do more of what I used to love without feeling the pressure to please any certain audience.
When I switched over to www.ThePatrioticPeacock.com, it became more business and less laid back, everyday things that I loved to write about.  So while I still very much use my Wordpress website and blog, I missed being here where it all began for me way back in 2008 when I was a newlywed, married to an Army guy, traveling around, having so much fun.
It's been years since I blogged without any pressure or sales attached and I am ECSTATIC to be back in my zone.  Can I just shout it from the rooftops?!  Weeeeeeeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!

Now, I could spend a few posts catching you up on the past 3 years, but who wants to read all that??
It was a lot of pregnancy, child rearing, lack of sleep, business venturing, coffee drinking moments, with a side of moving a couple of times.  I mean, really, would it be us if we didn't throw a few major, life changing events into the mix?
So there.  Now you're caught up!  Aren't you glad I spared you all the long, dramatic, yet boring details?
Now for the moment you all haven't been waiting for....non-pressured drum roll please......
For my first, laid back, no pressure post, I give to you,
"A Day in the Life of Three Year Old, Lorelei" (my mini-me tootie pie that I love so much, who is growing up like a flash before my eyes):

While I wash the cushion covers, this little lady lounges in the sun, watching cartoons.  Not a bad way to start off the day.

She follows me everywhere, including the treadmill where she proceeds to beg me (for the entirety of my workout) to let her have a turn.  Here she is.  Her grand 2 minute workout.  Happy as a small, tall, skinny clam.



For no particular reason, she is mad.  This happens several times, every day.


But, she is so much like me.  She can only stay mad for a few minutes before forgetting about why she was mad.  I like to think that it's because we are such gracious individuals, always eager to forgive, and has nothing to do with our very small attention spans.
There's no need to figure out the details right now.


I love love love her laugh. 

Then, Ma calls and she gets to facetime.  
Lorelei loves facetiming.


It's now late afternoon, and Lorelei begs for some chocolate ice cream.
I oblige.  I mean, you're only 3 once.  #livingthedream


Lorelei loves her baby sister.  They are sweet buddies, always playing together, however, not always peacefully.  But, always cute.



Lorelei is always up for a good fort.  
Everly is very glad that Lorelei is such a good insister of forts.

Lorelei also colored, played with her cousin, and ate pizza for dinner.
Then she begged to lay down in our bed, where we almost always allow her to go to sleep because it seems to be the only bed that she will actually fall asleep in.
And I know that's not what the all knowing parenting books suggest, but it saves my sanity, and I will ignore all the professionals, nay sayers, and stickers-of-noses-into-business to preserve what little bit of sanity I may still have.
Then we move her to her bed where she (usually) sleeps all night.
Look at this peaceful little face.


I don't know about you, but I think Lorelei has the life.
Love her so much.

Monday, January 14, 2013

BIG NEWS!!!

Part of me is a little sad to be leaving this actual blog home but a much larger part of me is SUPER DUPER ECSTATIC to be moving my blog to a new site!!!

I think blogger is an awesome blog platform, but I have made the personal decision to move over to a new platform. I will be leaving this blog up and running so you can check out all the past posts whenever you'd like but all new blog posting from here on will be posted on www.ThePatrioticPeacock.com.

Sooo, please please pretty pretty please follow me over???!!!

I'm on my knees....begging :)
Okay, maybe I'm not actually on my knees, but I am begging.

I have everything set up so you can subscribe in google reader, by email, or pretty much any other way you'd like!

Thanks for all your loyal support.  I have truly enjoyed getting to know each of you and can't wait to see you over at my new site.  I'm taking it up a few notches and I have TONS of great posts lined up!!!

See ya over there!!!!!!

Friday, December 28, 2012

Is it really over?

I can't believe Christmas Day has come and gone. Can you?
We traveled to Virginia last week and we are still here, braving this cold weather that we aren't used to and spending time with our family. It's actually been nice to be here, unplugged from regular life for a while. I always seem to think more clearly when I am out of my regular routine. I guess not having to look at piles of laundry, dirty dishes, and wonder what in the world I'm gonna stir together for dinner can be good for a Mama every now and then. I am certainly enjoying myself and my Mama's oh so delicious cereal cookies (actually, I'm eating one right now with my coffee...it may have butter and sugar in it but it also has cereal and that's enough for me to eat them for breakfast. Muahahaha) and my mother in law and nanny made the best poke cakes. I mean, come on people! I was doing so good with eating better and *almost* fitting into a pair of my pre preggo jeans! My self control at holidays is non-existent. I think it's warranted though, agreed?
So onto the sweet stuff about Christmas. Santa was so good to my babies this year, and even left them a note of which Caleb thought was completely and utterly magical. He also opened up lots of car toys, ABC matching game, puzzles, superhero clothes, and the big shabang (that was 100% his daddy's idea) an iPad with a super shnazzy cover that could withstand a nuclear attack. Baby sister loaded up on lots of teething toys, wooden baubles, sofie the giraffe, chew beads, and some baby dolls. Daddy got a shirt, movies, and a huge book on Thomas Jefferson from Baine's books in historic Appomattox that I picked up on the way to visit my grandparents (pop quiz: why is Appomattox historic??).

I totally loaded up. We weren't suppose to buy each other gifts this year since we bought an iPad. I now know NEVER to believe my husband when he says that. He LIES!!! He bought me some completely amazing riding boots. The REAL thing. Leather, zipper on the back and rubber soles. Absolutely beautiful. I also got some new perfume, Estée Lauder lip gloss and lipstick, and an enamel cast iron pot like The Pioneer Woman's!!! For the first time in like ever, I am excited about cooking something in it!!!

We all spent and got way too much but we really enjoyed each other. We also tried to keep Jesus as the center of our Christmas. I had a talk with Caleb about how Christmas was really all about Jesus's birthday. He agreed that we should make him a birthday cake and the he said, "let's take the cake outside and throw it in the air so Jesus can eat it!!!"

He cracks me up.

I hope your Christmas was a blessed one, filled with lots of laughs and good times with people you love.
Here is to a new year!!! Do you have any resolutions???













Tuesday, December 18, 2012

December 17


Every December 17th is my husband's birthday.
Yesterday, he had the day off of work!  
It was the first birthday in a few years that he had an entire day devoted to him.
We started off the morning just lounging around.
Then, he headed off to play racquetball with a friend.  This is his new hobby that he is a little obsessed with.  But I don't mind!  It's a good workout and he really enjoys it.  He won't let us come and watch though.  No worries, I'll be sneaking in the viewing room soon, with both kids so we can watch him do his thing, shhhhh ;)
While Seth was off playing racquetball, we snuck off to go get him his favorite birthday treat, a cookie (or 2) from The Great American Cookie Company.  Even though they were a little rude and they stuck our iced cookies in a little BAG to get all smooshed, they still tasted great!
We then took Seth out for a late lunch/early dinner at our favorite Mexican place, then headed over to Barnes+Noble where we sat around letting the kids play and Seth got to look through his business magazines.  I had an armful of crafting/home decor/fashion magazines and he had an armful of business mags.  He and I are so different it's not even funny!
THEN, we came home, sung Happy Birthday with candles in the cookies, and let him open his gifts: a Liberty University tshirt and a gift card to Dick's so he can go get some new running shorts.  Then we spent the rest of the evening watching football and snacking on a meat and cheese tray, pizza rolls, and homemade chocolate toffee cookies.
While we were eating cookies, Caleb told us, "This is a really good birthday!" 
hahahahaha :)
We love that old Sethy Poo. 
 He's a reallllllly good husband, daddy, leader, and friend.
So blessed to call him ours and start a new year of adventures together!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

lighting a candle



In memory of the lives lost.
 Praying for each one and their families left trying to make sense of the pain.
Only God can understand their hurt.

A day we will never forget.
12.14.12
                                                                Source: stinemos.blogspot.com via Myra on Pinterest



"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33



Friday, December 14, 2012

First Class at Coach price

The weather is chilly here and I'm so excited to pull out my wintery clothes yall!!!

If your wardrobe is lacking this year, I've put together a few different fashion boards to get ya fashion brain a reelin'.

I also love finding great clothes for great prices, not really sure of anyone who doesn't.
Everything shown is under $50.
Proof that you don't have to spend hundreds to look super cute.

Comfy Sweaters


Favorite fun sweater pick for me would have to be the yellow giraffe.  It's so unique and looks way too comfy!



Classy Coats





Favorite coat.  I love the first one on the top row (grey) for dressy style and the green one directly underneath for an everyday.  






See those cowboy boots, top row, second from the left? Yep, I'm gonna need those.



Boots under $50




Who doesn't love stripes?!
MY absolute fav from this line up is the first one on the top row.  The aqua and gold mix is a great color combo!



Stripes




On a sidenote, did I tell you about the time I tried to dye my hair a little darker and it came out almost black?  Yes, that would be me right now.
Don't let the picture fool you, it's much darker than this appears!
No worries, it's semi-permanent.....hopefully.



For more info on each item, you can visit my boards on Polyvore.
Happy Wintery Friday my friends!!!

P.S.  This is not a sponsored post.  Purely my own fashion favs!
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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Disney World Day 3- Hollywood Studios

Day 3 and we were all getting a little tired.
Can you tell???


hahaha!


We headed over to Disney Hollywood studios and went straight to the Indiana Jones show.
I remember this show from when I went to Disney in THIRD GRADE!!!

It was still just as impressive, maybe more!

Then we booked it to Hollywood & Vine to have lunch with Disney Jr. friends!

Caleb had a BLAST dancing with all the kids!


And he loved the characters.

Slow mo dancing

Oso!!!

This was definitely a lunch we all enjoyed!  Highly recommend this for kids who watch Disney Jr.





Later on that night, we went and watched, "Wreck It Ralph" at the eat in theatre at Downtown Disney.
SUCH a cute movie!  

We made it to the Disney Jr. LIVE show.  A must see for Caleb's age kids.  



They dropped Golden Blooms from the ceiling!  If you watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  I'm pretty sure I still have a golden bloom or two hanging out in my pocket book! Haha :)


Even Little Miss Lorelei enjoyed the show.







We ran into Tow Mater too!

Caleb chose to wait in line to see Phineas and Ferb...two of his all time favorite characters!



It was a VERY fun day!
We saw a parade that was fantastic and ended the night watching Fantasmic.
Caleb was very afraid of indoor rides but loved the Fantasmic show, which is a laser lights, fireworks, and water show depiction of Mickey's nightmare.
A FANTASTIC show and in my book a definite must see, but a little scary for young kids. 
 Although I will say that Caleb wasn't scared at all, but I was...he is one confusing kid!