Ten on Tuesday (March '12 Edition)

1. What is your ideal date?
You know, I think my only date demand would be a nice meal. As long as there’s food involved, I’m likely to be a happy camper. Generally, I’d say a movie would be my top choice to go with that meal, although I’ve also enjoyed a few adventurous dates like kayaking and hiking.

2. How do you pick out your sunglasses?
My husband always laughs at my sunglasses choices, mainly because I always go for a dark pair with either tortoise shell or jewels. Tacky sunglasses seem to be my MO, and I’m not picky about where I snag them.

3. What has been your favorite vacation so far?
This has to be a tie between one with my family and one with Erik. Growing up, we vacationed every summer at Spring Mill State Park, and even though it was only an hour’s drive from home, it was fantastic. Those trips combined all my favorite travel elements: family togetherness, nature, exploration, and history. My other fave would be the trip I took with Erik and his family to Florida one summer. We were young, adventurous, and (let’s face it) looked fantastic in our swimsuits on the beach! Fond, sun-drenched memories for sure!

4. Name 5 movies that you will never get sick of.
The Princess Bride, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Dirty Dancing, You’ve Got Mail, Titanic.

5. Name 1 book that you will never get sick of.
Any Sookie Stackhouse novel. I’m currently hooked.

6. Do you know any sign language?
Mainly the alphabet, plus a few baby signs I used when the kids were itty bitty. Hey, we even invented a few signs of our own!

7. What is your favorite kind of Girl Scout cookie?
If I’m ordering for myself, I always go for one of the peanut butter varieties. Otherwise, if I plan to share with the family, I’ll get Thin Mints.

8. Are you handy? (Can you fix or build anything?)
Not really. I wish I had inherited those skills from my dad, but alas, I did not. My only claim to fame is fixing a doorknob once, and installing our current showerhead. That’s about my limit.

9. In what form do you prefer your potatoes? (Baked, mashed, au gratin, hashbrowns, twice baked, etc.)
Well, I’ve never met a potato I didn’t adore, but I’m especially partial to mashed.

10. Do you believe the saying “actions speak louder than words”?
Yes, I whole-heartedly agree with that saying, but as a writer, I still believe words are vastly important. They hold nearly as much power as actions do. Both work together to get a point across, and I’d say both are valid communication tools. Wouldn’t you?

Sixth Birthday

Dear Ava,

Today you turned six years old, and from the moment you bounded out of bed with a huge grin on your face, I could tell a difference. You walked taller, shone a bit brighter, and carried a confidence that only six can bring. Is it kindergarten that has matured you so noticeably, or simply your own sweet self?

You are six. You are splendid.

This year, you wanted a Barbie party at the park, and you played an integral role in organizing and designing your own celebration. Creativity simply shimmers inside of you, and watching you transform ideas into reality simply takes my breath away. You are my child, yet clearly your own person. I’m quite certain you’ve already eclipsed what I was capable of at the same age.

You can now read and write, and you enjoy honing both skills every day. You still love going to the library, eating pizza as a family, and watching Disney movies. One day, you want to fly on an airplane and visit the ocean (the latter of which we plan to accomplish on our Disney trip this year).

More than anything, I am thankful to be your mother, to have a reserved front-row seat as you grow. Not a day goes by that I don’t have a moment—somewhere in the middle of an average day—where I glance at you and feel my heart skip a beat. You’re magical, every day.

Yes, Ava, you are growing up beautifully. You are a wonderful role model to your brother, whom you claim as your best friend. You have a good heart, a strong, God-loving soul, and a proud personality.

Bless you on your sixth birthday, and always, my sweet firstborn.
All my love,
Mom

Simple Pleasures

Today, we spent some time reacquainting ourselves with the backyard and the simple pleasures that await us there. Like our playhouse, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles.

We also found time to simply run in the grass, freely and happily, while the breeze blew in our faces.

There were flowers everywhere we looked, and birds flitting in and out of our merry-making. Of course, we had to make time for a few photo ops as well.

In all, a lovely, lovely day.

Wherein I explain my absence....

You guys, it's been awhile. As my fellow blogger Heather would say, AHH KNOOOOWWW.

I wish I'd been on a great vacation. Or churning out creative crafts with the kids. Or finishing up writing my book. Or even just taking some much-needed me-time to enjoy life. Any one of those things would've been better than what I actually did.

So what did I do? Believe me, you don't need the details, but I've been dealing with an extended flare-up of my ulcerative colitis. And it ain't been pretty. One day, I'll blog about it. Maybe someday, far off, I'll even write a book about living with this condition. In the meantime, I'm simply trying to take care of my health, maintain my quality of life, and say a whole lot of prayers. Everyone has a cross to bear, and this is mine. I've known it since the age of seventeen, and it's not going anywhere.

So there's that. But still? I managed to find time for some fun things, too! It is possible to live a full life with a chronic condition! ;)

First up: this weather! Spring has sprung early this year, and we've been enjoying its beauty and bounty. Both kids have been in great moods and have really been playing so well together. Can't you just tell we've got some comedic chops in the Smith family?

Second: Disney on Ice! We were finally able to initiate the Bub in our Disney hijinks. A couple of weekends ago, we visited the new Ford Center in Evansville and met a whole slew of famous characters. Of course, Hudson was simply charmed by Mickey and his crew, and Ava and I enjoyed seeing more of Disney than just princesses. Of all the shows we've seen, this was by far my favorite. Everyone had a fantastic time.

Well, that's it for now. I know I've probably missed many simple and sweet moments during the last month, but at least you've got the highlights. Here's hoping my health continues to improve and our family can get back to our fairy-tale routine.

Enjoy the spring!

Let's Finish This Thing Already

No excuses, but I completely dropped the ball on this challenge. Yes, I took the photos, but clearly was unable to post them in a timely fashion. What can I say? Motivation is obviously not my game lately. Better late than never, at least.

New library books. Just magical.


I bought this when Erik and I got engaged, and it's still our go-to clock in the house.

Not a very strong photo, but the subject sure makes me happy!

Not only do I hate to clean, but I've honestly never used that mop. I'm more of a Swiffer kind of gal.

Now that Ava is writing, I find these adorable little notes everywhere. Precious!

We're nearing the seven-year-itch mark, and I want my tan back. Ha!

Trusty Friday work shirt. Gotta love it.

Sandals in February? It happened.

We like to maintain some coyness in our family. ;)

Hudson's train table, but where are all the trains?

Bet you can guess my nightly routine. (That or True Blood reruns.)

Confession: I totally forgot to take a food photo. So I'm reusing an old one, kind of like I do our go-to recipes. I roll like that.

If you look closely, you can spot where we hide our extra pocket change.

Ava originally discovered The Wiggles at the age of one, and now Hudson has made the revelation at nearly three. We've memorized every song. Trust me.

Ten on Tuesday (Feb '12 Edition)

1. What is your cleaning style like?
Well, since I’m usually cleaning with two kiddos underfoot, it can certainly get creative! I start the cleaning process by setting our TV to an all-eighties music station, then try to work one room at a time. Sometimes the kids help, which slows me down but amuses me all the same. I usually do a couple of rooms, take a snack break, and then finish up. Of course, I should admit that the main floor gets most of my energy, and the upstairs simply deals with what I have left.

2. What is your favorite thing to add to an outfit to take it from casual to classy?
Classy? Me? Can that be accomplished while still wearing jeans? If you can’t tell, I’m almost always dressed casually. But if I’m going to shoot for classy, I would likely pair heels and a sparkly necklace with my usual outfit of jeans and a nice shirt.

3. Do you like stormy weather?
In regards to this question, I have a split-personality. When I lived in the country with my parents and a full, safe basement, I used to love watching storms roll in from the front porch. It was an awesome sight to behold, and I knew safety was just a quick dash away. Of course, now that I live in town with my children and a dark, nasty basement, I’m not so thrilled about storms. It’s more about keeping my family safe and finding a path downstairs than witnessing nature’s wonders.

4. What is your favorite cold treat on a hot day?
Probably a decade ago, this little shack opened up in town that served snow cones, and although it’s changed ownership multiple times, it still rocks the absolute best “summer ices.” I literally yearn for the strawberry daiquiri flavor each summer.

5. What is your favorite warm treat on a cold day?
Nothing beats a homey cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

6. Who is your favorite animated character?
Be still my beating heart….I LOVE animated characters, and choosing just one might prove impossible. I can say with absolute certainty that Disney toons are the best, and if I’m honest I tend toward the princesses: Belle, Jasmine, and Ariel being at the top of the list.

7. What do you keep your jewelry in?
Okay, I don’t honestly think I own a jewelry box, or enough baubles to fill one. That being said, I do have one of those fabric hanging contraptions with little compartments to hold my necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc. Generally, I just wear my wedding rings and a large birthstone ring I got for myself for Christmas a few years ago. Otherwise, reread question #2 to see why I might dig into my meager jewelry collection.

8. Do any of the rooms in your house have a theme?
Heavens, no! I’ve never been a big theme person in the decorating department, although Erik once accused me of having a Tuscan theme in our kitchen. I assure you, I have one Tuscany painting, and a ridiculous ceramic rooster that I can’t even believe I’m admitting to owning, but nothing that I’d consider theme-ish.

9. Do you watch any interior design TV shows – if so, what is your favorite?
Do I? Absolutely! Of course, I’m not much of a TV-watcher (it’s not worth the effort to battle my obsessive husband over it), and when I have extra time I’d rather read or write. However, if I did feel like a little HGTV, I would prefer Candace Olson or Genevieve Gorder.

10. When was the last time you did something risk-taking?
Let’s be honest: my name and risk-taking are very rarely (if ever) in the same company together. In fact, my own brother once coined the moniker “Born to be Mild” to define my inability to take risks. Thus, I can’t think of anything particularly daring, but I suppose taking my first Zumba class really put me out on a limb. I love to dance, but doing it in front of others was a bit intimidating. Now, of course, I love it and am even considering becoming a Zumba instructor, so I suppose sometimes risks can pay off!

February Photos 6-15

Just a reminder of where this photo challenge began:

Yes, I've been trying to keep up each day, but I can guarantee there's no way I'll be able to post each photo or even a few at a time. Hopefully I won't have more than a week's worth to share at a time. Keep your fingers crossed for that. Ha! In the meantime, more interpretations:

Okay, this is not the fanciest dinner, but I didn't want to cheat. Hot ham and provolone cheese sandwich, broccoli and cauliflower salad, with strawberries.

I've been swamped with images of these friendly buttons. They belong to a pretty important guy, at least in our family. Recognize them?

Although I wasn't able to get outside and secure a true photo of the sun itself, I did notice how the sun's rays simply lit up Hudson's face. He was looking out one of the playroom windows.

If anyone's been to my house, you know that our front door is not the prettiest. In fact, our curb appeal is practically nil (a fact we hope to change soon). Instead, I focused on the front door of the pretty cupboard in our dining room. Much better!

Not sure why this particular photo is sideways, but that just figures. Nothing about myself is ever quite right! I had this shot taken for my new Ten on Tuesday feature (coming tomorrow for the second time!).

Ava and I share a love for all things Disney princess, and I will never regret buying tickets to any Disney production. This was a stage version of three familiar stories: Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast (my favorite!).

You know, I have more clothes than I realized. Too bad I usually grab something off the pile of laundry downstairs, instead of actually creating an outfit from my upstairs closet. Something to consider, I guess.

Although Erik found this shot of his blue eye a bit creepy, I still like it. His eyes were one of the first features I noticed upon meeting him, and they still catch my attention.

This was my valentine from Ava, and although she's given me some in the past, this was the first one with her own writing on it (see bottom). Priceless!

You know, I'm embarassed to admit the age of the cell phone I carry, so I decided to photograph the old, crayoned-up phone the kids use in the playroom. It has a lot of character and has provided hours of old-fashioned fun!