Friday, March 27, 2009

The Quest Begins


(half for Dad and half for the kids)

If you have been following this blog for very long then you know that my daughter suffers from eczema due to her allergies to both eggs & bananas. For a year now, we have cut out all the yummy desserts that my husband loves so much and he not so subtly let me know that he wants them back. Since I don't want to torture Lauren by making her WATCH her Daddy eat brownies in front of her while she sits there and salivates, I am altering recipes and trying to come up with a delicious new recipe that does not include eggs.

Tonight was the first attempt... I used 1/2 cup of applesauce and 1/2 tsp of baking soda to substitute for the egg. Obviously it didn't kill us, we even finished the brownie... but we also didn't take a bite & have our eyes roll into the back of our heads, our bodies go limp, and then wiggle our tushes to get comfy so that we can finish the rest of the dessert in overwhelming bliss (that's the effect that good desserts have on our family... that's why I struggle with "workout Wednesdays" so much). The great thing about kicking off this recipe quest with brownies is that if they aren't just fabulous then we can always throw a few scoops of ice cream on top and I have a happy husband.

I will post about my different attempts and will be including the "ok" substitutes as well as the bad ones so that if you are reading this post for allergy reasons you will know to steer clear of the substitutes that are NOT very good at all. Once I find a great sub I will post the final recipe for you. Since I began blogging I've met many other families that deal with the same and similar food allergies.

As far as the applesauce / baking soda sub... I would just say that it is an ok substitute when it comes to brownies. The great thing about this substitute is that it also cuts calories from the dessert, someone told me that weight-watchers recommends this substitute. A great comparison would be that it is like drinking a diet pop versus the real thing... not bad just a different type of sweet taste.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

A friend of a friend

This could be the title of a few posts that are on my mind this evening. But the two posts go in two completely opposite directions. One is about a terrible woman who lies about her friends, and cheats on her husband... all it takes is the sound of this persons name and I get ill to my stomach. I haven't met her in person (nor do I ever want to), but I have two friends that both know her from two totally different worlds & I get to hear about this... person, who is quite the piece of work. So to avoid becoming nauseous, I'd rather talk about the other post at the other end of the spectrum.

Tonight I was introduced to a blog that really touched my heart. I read quite a few blogs that read My Charming Kids, and I love to read their posts to her Not Me Monday blog carnival. Until tonight I hadn't followed their links to her sight, but when I did, I opened the door into her world. So many (like me) just dangle tidbits of what is actually going on in their lives. Not her, she is laying everything out there and asking all to join her in prayer and to be there through this time. Afterall, isn't that exactly what God wants us to do... to reach out & ask for help & prayer, and to trust Him.

To avoid misrepresenting all that she is going through, I am just going to pass on the link. I highly suggest visiting her site and taking a moment to pray with her for her son.

Prayers for Stellan

WorkOut Wednesdays #7

It's that time again. This week has flown by so quickly.

Okay now, it's time for confession. I have not followed my "healthy" diet very well this week and have eaten out way too many times. We eat out with my in-laws probably three or so times a week. I love them & don't want to miss out on the fun, so I go... but I have no will power when the plate of cheese fries are in front of me... or the menu for that matter. No one made me order the cheese burger. I did it to myself.

While I still feel better this week, I can't help but wonder how much better I would feel if I had been able to stick to the diet as well.

I am swearing off vowing this week, because last week I VOWED to do better and then was stagnant so instead I am not going to vow, not going to do it. I will not do it. Instead I will just go back in my closet & play dress up with my old clothes that I can fit into again. If this doesn't work, next week I will get out the boxes of clothes from the next size down & hang all of them in my closet (none of them fit me right now... so it would really be a CRUEL joke... Sitting there just staring at all the clothes that I can't wear).

Okay, now it's time to stop beating myself up... I can save all that to motivate me next week. This last week HAS been productive. I have been able to workout & play a bit more than normal and my body is definitely feeling the effects. I keep having to take breaks from typing to do my happy dance. I didn't lose pounds this week but I have moved down another pant size. Woo HOOO!

Just a quick recap: Since I have started my half-efforted workout challenge, I have lost 9 pounds and two pant sizes. I have 14 more pounds to go or two more pant sizes. I'll be honest, I really don't care about the weight itself. I don't mind if I don't lose another pound, however I DO want to lose the two more pant sizes. I want to comfortably fit into my old clothes again. And when I say comfortably, I mean I want to be able to wear them & bend over without having to worry that I am going to split my pants or have the buttons fly off shooting across the room as I sit down. My ultimate dream goal is to be able to put on a bathing suit and not pick myself apart. Is it really possible??? Are there women out there that are totally comfortable with their bodies???

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A Love / Hate Relationship

As a woman I have to say that it truly amazes me the things that we do to make ourselves look more attractive & feel more beautiful. A few hours ago, I was laying on a table contemplating this very thing. Why am I getting ready to torture myself? Why would I even think of doing this? Am I insane? Who in their right mind chooses to put themselves through this agony? What was I thinking as I was driving myself to this destination this morning.

Now here I am hours after the torture session, and I feel happy, refreshed, and thankful that I chose to go through the "only moments" of discomfort.

I love the soft silky texture of my skin and yes it is really worth it. I can honestly say that I hate going to my threading & waxing appointments. However, I love the way that I feel an hour after I am finished with that appointment. I also have a similar relationship with high heel shoes.



Thursday, March 19, 2009

Going once, going twice

Tonight while I was supposed to be working I found myself shopping on the Internet. I know, shame on me, but I have found that the retail therapy not only inspires me but definitely helps me to relax.

Well anyway, I love Ebay. I have bought my kid's Halloween costumes, toys, concert tickets, decorated my kids bedrooms from all the items I found and then some. So when I say that I was excited about finding this site it was a bit of an understatement.

This site is definitely a buyer's market. I hope that you enjoy it too.

Bidaroo.com

WorkOut Wednesdays #6

Yes, I know that I am posting the Workout Wednesday at 10pm on Thursday night, but that is exactly the way that my week has gone.

Well that and I am dreading announcing that I have slacked again this week. Although I have skipped a few (okay, most) of my workouts this week, I have still lost 3 more pounds and a pant size. My sister always told me that muscle helps burn fat. I guess that this week I have just proven that theory for her. (I'm sure that the theory was proven years ago in some research lab somewhere long ago, but I always appreciate learning from a hands-on approach).

Every two weeks I have been increasing my workout's quality (same amount of time just a more intense exercise regime). So now that we are at the halfway point I will be changing the workout again. I am still doing the workouts from the magazine, plus the cardio (I usually TiVo one) and now I will be also focusing on different body sculpting exercises that are more specific to my body and the areas that I want to "fix" or rather ELIMINATE.

As I am hiding my face in shame this week, I am vowing to have more for you next week! I feel terrible for letting myself down and for letting you down as well.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Buckle Up.



As I was driving down the road I came across this breathtaking view. All I had was the camera on my phone and while it wasn't an amazing photo, I thought that it was a great photo for my camera taken from inside the car. Oops I just sold myself out. Yes I was driving while I took the photo... I know, I know.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Embracing the Moment #7


When most people think about a milestone post they expect it to be about the person who posts or someone close to them. Well leave it to me to break the rule. Rules- schmules.

Anywho, today's post is about a young girl with an amazing talent, a huge heart for God, and a magnetic personality. I was introduced to her website about five years ago and now I am a dedicated follower. I have enjoyed returning to her site a few times throughout the year to see her work, read the descriptions of her work as well as the poetry that she has attached to her art (as I click on the paintings I can get a closer look), and to watch her grow. I love watching her talent develop, her heart for God grow even stronger and having the opportunity to witness how God is moving in her life.

So today's post is about the Milestone's of Akiane. I hope you can take the time to view her site and her artwork.

Please link up with the Mr. Linky widget below, I'd love to hear your Milestone Moments.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

I Declare!


Lately, Corey & I have been hearing a LOT about the power of words. It seems to be coming from so many different areas of our lives. Our small group had a guest speaker come to talk to our group about that very thing. Corey was able to hear him, I had a doctor appt in Texas at the time. I was sorry that I missed it. Fortunately, I heard that the powerful voice of the speaker was able to reach so many that were there to listen.

We all know that this very topic was marketed via a book and a DVD a few years ago which is called The Secret. So many people really appreciated the concepts in the book and what I found ironic is that this concept is actually biblical. Again, it was the book and not the Bible that people were dropping off at Corey's office for him and friends were calling to tell him about it. I was very excited to see what a surge the book was creating in so many people. While I wish that I could have witnessed that same surge of people fired up about receiving the same message via the Bible, I was glad that the message was out there.

Today I came across the same message on a blog, Everything Beautiful, and what I love is that Liz is giving all the glory to God. I really hope that you drop by her blog at least to take a look at a few of the scriptures that she has listed as sources to support her point.

Here are two of the examples that Liz had posted:
James 3.3-5 (Msg)
A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything or destroy it. It only takes a spark to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

Ephesians 3.20 (Amplified)
Now to Him who is able to carry out His purposes and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams). According to the power that is at work within us.
This message is SO true. We have the ability to change our situations by the way that we approach them and the things that we say. When I was young, my grandpa used to tell me that it isn't so much WHAT you say but the WAY you say it. (Even as a young child I had the tendency to be a bit ... um, well... direct). As a mother, I realize more than ever the power of words. The words that I choose to use while loving, playing with, teaching, and disciplining my children all make an enormous impression. However the words that I speak OVER them and pray over them are just as POWERFUL. The way that you talk to someone and about them behind closed doors can impact that relationship greatly. Those words are so powerful that they not only affect those that you are talking to, the ones that you are talking about, but they also affect you and YOUR belief system about that situation.

An example:
If you truly want something to be successful but all you do is whine, moan, and groan about how terrible it is, then eventually all you focus on is the negative aspects. Your negative words and thoughts have declared negativity over that situation and negativity is what it will reap.

Instead of praying for someone's sickness, pray for their HEALING!

However in the same sense, when you focus and speak positivity over your life and declare God's word in prayer you will begin to see God's work in your life. I not only pray this over my own life but I pray this over all that read this and all those that don't.

Pray for those that need your prayers, declare God's word over their life. Pray positively.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

It's A Magical Kingdom!


I came across a blog that it having a wonderful giveaway! They are giving away 4 one day passes to Disney World.

Although I DO want to increase my chances of winning by doing my best to keep it a secret, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to tell you so that you may also have the chance to win & go to Disney World.

http://www.5minutesformom.com/5690/mom-blogger-discovers-disney-world/

Lollipop, Lollipop... Oooo Lolli-Lolli, Lollipop



I was cooking dinner, trying to fend off Evan (who stays hungry for the two hours before Corey comes home from work... the boy is like a hungry lion... he eats two dinners) and Lauren kept repeatedly asking me if she could have a sucker (in hopes that my answer would change). What she doesn't know is that God blessed her with an extremely stubborn mom... my parents can vouch for that. My answer wasn't changing. I told her that she could have it AFTER dinner if she made good choices and didn't get into trouble.

Five minutes later I noticed that there was silence, I briefly relished the millisecond then I was off to find where the trouble lurked. (Like I've said before if there is silence in my home that means the kiddos are working together... at something that they shouldn't be doing). Of course, when I found them, Evan had helped Lauren unwrap her sucker and she had just put it in her mouth.

The first thing out of my mouth was the silliest question ever:

"What do you think you are doing?"

Obviously she is eating the sucker that she was BEGGING to eat. But for some reason I ask it anyways in hopes that she is going to realize that her choice was disobedient and feel bad that she made that choice. In all honesty, I could care less that she is eating the sucker, the issue is that I want her to learn to obey our rules when we are not around at an early age because I want her to be able to make responsible choices in the near future. But seriously, how bad can you feel about a choice that you just made when your mouth is fulled with sugary goodness.

It was obvious by her response that she knew what she did was wrong, but that she wasn't too sorry for it.

Lauren: " I wasn't eating it Mommy. I was just loving on it!"



Once again, I just had to walk away (after she reluctantly handed the sucker to me) and say from behind a smile in the next room... "Well you better LOVE on all your vegetables tonight too... you are going to get an extra serving." And she did.



Evan thought that it was awesome that he just got to have a sucker but taking photos of the precious moment was a moment that he wanted to remember. Ok, he just wanted to have his picture taken because his sister was having her photo taken.

Chocolate.com

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

WorkOut Wednesdays #5

This last week has been a great week! I am finally seeing more results and my clothes are fitting better! Yeah!

I lost 6 pounds this week. I am excited about finally getting to "see" some changes. Feeling good and less stressed was great, don't get me wrong. However I am glad to know that the scale actually works and hasn't been stuck this entire time. (I was really beginning to believe that was the case).

Now for those that don't know me personally may not realize what a feat this new result actually is... but let me just tell you it is HUGE! Someone had offered the kids a Hershey's candy bar and I was actually able to split it up between the two of them without stealing a little square for myself or just flat out getting the shakes or breaking out in a sweat from the sugar withdrawals. I didn't know this was possible.

For those of you that have an iPhone I downloaded this cool app called Gym Buddy that helps you log your exercises, reps, etc as well as have workout recommendations by the area of the body that you intend to target that day. It is very resourceful and helps me keep up with my workouts. However! And this is a big however, I had not utilized the entire app until now. Since I had actually started loosing weight, I thought that it would be encouraging to log it so that I could enjoy watching the improvement. After entering my information into this Gym Buddy I hit "enter" or "submit" and back came some results that I wasn't exactly asking to receive. It said as plainly, bluntly, with a hint of RUDE.... OBESE (next to body mass index). After drop kicking the phone across the room, (just kidding.... I couldn't get my leg that high. I'm still a little sore) I began talking to my phone, saying "ya, I know... I'm working on it". Normally this isn't an issue but this time no one was on the other end of the phone.

I still love the Gym Buddy app, but I won't be pushing the Body Calc button again until after I finish the 12 week challenge. Then I hope that it will tell me "Job well done. Now, go have a Snickers".

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

All Things Adorable!

While rummaging (I say rummaging because it is not organized very well) through an advertisement company's website, I discovered THIS company. Normally I would have bypassed it because their main product are school uniforms, however I am very thankful that I stopped because it has great prices on kids clothing. Their sale prices REALLY got my attention. I found pjs and gowns for $3.00. One of these gowns are identical to one that Lauren received for her birthday that cost someone else $24.00. I was glad someone else bought it for her because she absolutely loves it and wants to sleep in it every night. And if it wasn't for the gift she would have NEVER enjoyed this experience, because cheap ol' mom wouldn't ever pay that much for a nightie.

However, I would pay $3.



Here are some other really cute and financially reasonable outfits that I found there for both boys and girls.

1. Angel Kiss
2. Pink Glow
3. Cornflower Blue
4. Tie Dye
5. Surf
6. Athletic Department
7. Blue Noy

UGH! I just found some REALLY cute ones that I didn't include in the photo above. Okay, now I need to carefully PUT MY HANDS UP & STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER. I could seriously get myself into trouble at this shop.

If you go to this site check out these other outfits too:
  • Flare
  • Four Leaf Clover (cute St. Patty's Day dress)
  • Hawaiian Holiday
  • USA

Below is a link directly to the website. (I'm still learning how to put links in the photos.


The Childrens Wear Outlet

By the way, if anyone is in need of a personal shopper for kids clothing, please let me know... I'll take the job. I love looking at kids apparel & accessories.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Embracing the Moment #6


My First Child


This moment is the moment that many moms pray for, wait paitently and not-so patiently, and fear. Corey & I hadn't been married long when we found out that we were pregnant with our beautiful baby, and because the pregnancy was such a surprise we (actually Corey) decided that we were going to wait until she was born to find out the sex of the baby. It was something that he & his mom always wanted to do. Me, I'll be honest, I didn't enjoy not-knowing for a second. A LOT of people LOVE this surprise, and I am happy for them. But for me, I like to know... for me, the planning is 50% of the fun.

Early in my pregnancy I had a dream that I was going to have a girl, so I was convinced that I was having a girl... so convinced that I constantly talked to my belly and referred to the little baby growing inside of me as a "she & her". (We probably saved thousands of dollars in therapy for our child since we did in fact have a daughter. Thank goodness).

This AMAZING little girl means so much to me. I would love to be nonchalant and act as if she didn't just change everything about my world, but I've never been a good actor. People can usually see right through me. I am NOT a very good poker player either.

There isn't a decision that I have made since I found out that I was going to have a baby that hasn't been 100% influenced by her. I humbly admit that I have had to remind myself on a few occasions to stay focused on God and not put my family & those that I love first. Each day I say a prayer, asking God for guidance to teach her what He needs me to teach her so that she will be prepared to do His Will. I have to pray this little prayer to remind myself that although God has blessed me with this beautiful baby that she is ultimately His and that my job is to teach her & mold her for Him. However the job comes with great perks... I get to love her & receive all of her sweet hugs & kisses. Not to mention the full-time entertainment that she provides... sometimes I feel like I may be raising a future comedian. I have no idea what or who she is going to become, but I am enjoying, everyday, having the opportunity to cherish who she is today.


Lauren at 3 months old


Playing the piano at 6 months with Uncle Tony
She still LOVES the piano.


Taking a bath at 9 months.
She won't get any hair for 2 more YEARS.

She's my little angel!

Please link up with the Mr. Linky widget below, I'd love to hear your Milestone Moments.

Friday, March 6, 2009

My Sports Star



Melinda over at Bloggin' It From the Burbs has a wonderful photo carnival on Fridays to celebrate wonderful memories from the past. And for those that loves photos or just simply living in the past, then you will enjoy going to her site and visiting others that have linked up with her. During the month of March her theme is Sports & Recreation. Enjoy.




When I was trying to think of the perfect picture this was the first one that came to mind. (Luckily, I didn't have to search too much for this one. So it was a win, win).

Even at 7 months old, Evan's determination was incredibly strong. By 8 months old, he was walking/running around the house kicking a soccer ball. "Ball" was his third spoken word. (I'm just counting my blessings that he said Mom & Dad first. I was pleasantly surprised!!



Just look at those chubby cheeks. I miss those chubby baby cheeks. He ran them off way too soon. Evan has always been a big baby at 2 months he was already wearing clothes sized for a 6 month old. He is reaching many milestones entirely way too fast. (I secretly wish that he would SLLOOOOOWWW down. Afterall, he is my baby... the last one for me... I want to relish each moment just a little longer. However at the rate that he is growing and learning he isn't giving me very much time).

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Planning Ahead for Mother's Day

I take forever to pick out the perfect gift for people so I have a tendency to plan ahead. Just an example... I already know what I'm getting for Corey for his birthday (in September) and also for Christmas. I know that it is 9 months away but I enjoy getting them a gift that I know that they will enjoy.

I don't know about you but my mothers and mother-in-law pretty much have everything. They are the kinds of gals that if they want something they just go out & get it... that day. So to make a LONG story short they can be somewhat difficult to shop for.

If you have been reading the blog for a bit you know that my family has been mulitplying faster than rabbits. So I have also been shopping for some inexpensive yet thoughtful gifts to get for my sisters that are mothers.

I was excited when I came across this product! It is a cute gift to add to the "little somethings" that I am putting together for those girls in my life. (I can't divulge to much information just in case they happen to come across this post).



The brag book from Shutterfly:
LEATHER BRAG:


THE BUCKET TOTE:


COLLAGE CALENDARS:


T-SHIRT:


However, one of the great things about shopping early is that I don't have to worry about finding the product I want only to find that it is out of stock. Well most of the time... What brought me to Shutterfly originally was the brightly colored Pulp brag book, but unfortunately they are no longer available.



So if you are interested in these items... SHOP NOW before these are gone too.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

WorkOut Wednesdays #4



I have a question, do you guys dread Wednesdays as much as I do? I wasn't always this way, but now that I am being held accountable for my commitment (or lack thereof) to working out on Wednesdays --- I TOTALLY dread Wednesdays!

I would love to use going on a vacation with my husband as my excuse for not working out, but the Resort had an amazing fitness facility. So I'll just be honest, I chose to lay in the nice warm bed and watch the snow fall with my husband instead of working out. So I didn't make very much progress this week.

I have been battling tremendously with this evil little product called CHOCOLATE! It's terrible. Before I had children, I rarely ate candy, chocolate, and junk, however now I can't seem to get enough.

I realize that I am a third of the way through the 12 week challenge and so the pressure is on. I am still doing the workout from the Fitness Magazines that I have told you about, and this week I will also be adding cardio to my workout. I am hoping that this will help me see results a bit faster (which will in turn help motivate me).

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

A Beautiful Getaway

DISCLAIMER:
Lately I have been busy working on another project so I pre-post for the week. I know that during the week I will be swamped with work and will be unable to take the time to blog. I do stay caught up on reading your blogs on my phone. I can't always comment on your posts because of my fickle phone service, but I am reading them. So I was glad that I had a few blogs pre-posted for this week before I was whisked away on my birthday getaway.

A BEAUTIFUL GETAWAY
This last week, Corey surprised me with a vacation to celebrate my birthday. It was so amazing and so sweet. He took me on a long and windy drive with views like this...



It was truly breathtaking. I have to admit, I enjoyed the drive to Big Cedar Lodge as much as I did the actual place. We had a great time together.

We arrived at the Lodge at night and it was beautiful! I was breathless when I saw it... both from laughing really hard (Corey & I were having fun joking around) and from the site of it. You have to keep in mind, I had no idea where we were going. I had no idea if he was going to take me to a 5 star resort or a tent. I have to tell you that nightfall is definitely the best time to arrive. I wouldn't have changed a thing. The lights were gorgeous reflecting off the lake. It was... okay I'm running out of adjectives to say that it was amazing. But yea, it was amazing! Here is the view from our room:



I took this picture as soon as we woke up (almost 11:00). I felt like a rockstar, sleeping in that late. It felt GOOD! Since Corey & I were in such a hurry to get out of the house while the kids were okay with us leaving we BOTH forgot our coats. This just gave us an excuse to do a little shopping at Branson Landing.



The fountains were a fun distraction from shopping. While we were here Corey informed me that the designer of these fountains was the same designer for the fountains at Bellagio. AND that they were going to be designing fountains for Jenk's RiverWalk. I hadn't heard that bit of news so I was excited to find that little bitty out. (I know it doesn't take much to get me excited).



Later that night snow began falling and created the most beautiful scenery ever. Like I said earlier... it doesn't take much... just a little bit of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice and I'm exstatic. It was everything Corey could do to keep me from going out & making snow angels. (I didn't have the kids with me to use as my excuse). He did sit in the car while I walked around taking photographs in the snow. I couldn't help myself. It's hard for me to stay indoors when it's snowing outside.



Ducks synchronized swimming
(Yes I know that they are really eating)


I truly love this weather.

We had an amazing time during out trip and enjoyed having the opportunity to relax, sleep late, and spend some time together.

The Friendship Award

I have been blessed by some amazing friends throughout my life. And recently I have met some amazing women through the blogging world and made some wonderful and supportive friends.

I have been fortunate enough to receive this award from two friends, Melinda of Bloggin' It From the Burbs and Misty of All Because I Fell Inlove


Thank you both for awarding me with the Friendship Award
...


the Friendship Award means:
  • These blogs are exceedingly charming.
  • These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.
  • They are not interested in self-aggrandizement.
  • Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.
  • Please give more attention to these writers.
  • Deliver this award to seven bloggers who must choose seven more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

i pass this one to:

Lisa of One Hip Mom

Heidi of Sacred and Profane

Cheryl of All Things Fancy

Elaine of Matters of the Heart

Jen of 6 Happy Heart

Liz of Everything Beautiful

Annie of Having A Ball


Monday, March 2, 2009

Embracing the Moments #5



This month I will be posting about life's milestones. If you really think about it the month of March can really be about anything. These posts can be about reaching milestones with your children, your children's milestones, milestones in your marriage, in cooking, photography, milestones with your New Year's Resolutions, relationships, career... well you get the picture. I hope you will join me in reminiscing and embracing those milestones that have impacted your life.

Here goes mine:

It wasn't that long ago when Evan got his first hair cut. Neither of our kids had very much hair so I was waiting for this moment. I had to wait until Lauren was three and Evan was two and a half before he had his first hair cut.



To break the ice, I had been talking to Evan during the drive to the stylist's salon, explaining that he was going to get a COOL hair cut by the woman that cuts Daddy's hair. He loves his Daddy and thinks everything that Corey does is cool, so he was really excited about the hair cut. When we walked into the salon he was timid yet curious. He wanted to know who was cutting his Daddy's hair. Corey, who is always joking, answered "Santa Claus" when Evan asked who she (Keyna) was. (That's Corey's typical answer when anyone asks his name... well either that or Frankenstein).



Evan wasn't so sure what to think about this and didn't want to sit by himself so Corey sat with him and to be honest... that didn't help too much either. I'm sure that he made it interesting for "Santa Claus". He didn't stop moving the entire time. Not too long after that I had the opportunity of experiencing how other kids can act when they get their first hair cut (yelling, screaming, shaking their heads) and I have to admit I was proud of Evan for just dancing around the chair.



The more she leaned over to cut his hair the more he leaned forward to get out of the way... it really was quite funny.



Now, six months later, Keyna & her husband are patients and we get to see them at Corey's office. Evan still remembers his first hair cut & loves to joke around with Keyna. As a matter of fact, he still calls her Santa Claus then runs away giggling about his joke.



Here Comes Santa

Please link up with the Mr. Linky widget below, I'd love to hear your Milestone Moments.