Steppin' Out Mama

On Thursday, I went out.  On a school night.  To a fashion show.  Wearing heels and 
lipstick.  With no kids!  It was a bizarre feeling for me to finish up homework, put supper 
on the table, get my girls in their jammies, all while curling my hair and picking out 
jewelry.  My company generously gave me a ticket to their fancy table for Pink October, 
a local event devoted to breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection.  
The entire night was truly inspirational and I felt so blessed to be in the presence of so 
many courageous women.  The highlight of the evening was when one of my neighbors, 
a beautiful women currently fighting through her own personal battle with breast 
cancer, strutted her stuff in the fashion show, got to the end of the runway, tore off her 
wig, and shouted a big "WOOHOO!!!".  Her confidence and amazing spirit brought tears 
to my eyes, the entire crowd going wild as she smiled and danced her way across the stage.
Many blessings to those fighting this disease, prayers of comfort to the families affected, 
and thoughts to those who are now at rest.

I had such a nice time and made it home just in time to share a bowl of ice cream with 
Shawn and David Letterman, heels and lipstick excluded.  

Blouse: Clothing Showroom via Zuilily//Jeans: The Flirt Skinny via Old Navy//
Boots: Spancy Ketosherosh

These jeans are my new favorite thing.  They are skinny jeans that actually fit me
despite the fact that I have hips and thighs and a butt.  Skinny jeans for curvy girls:
Oh, Old Navy, you are so clever!

Steppin' Out Saturday: Halloween

The girls and I got the Halloween season started off right this weekend and stepped out 

to my cousin's annual Halloween bash.  This is by far one of Isabelle's most favorite 

holidays and she plans her costume for months, pouring over the costume catalogues 

that arrive in our mailbox starting in August.  This year, she decided we would be a family 

of kitty cats and Brees and I happily jumped on the feline bandwagon.  Brees wore one 

of Belle's old costumes and, for once, kept it on the entire night without trying to strip 

and claw her way out of it.  I wore one of my cardigans and my old faithful Mardi Gras 

tutu with ears and a tail found in the girls' dress up box.  We purchased Isabelle's costume 

at a local Halloween store and I was elated that it was not only reasonably priced but 

very well made.  At 8 years old, the costume selection for her age group is already 

making me nervous.  Why are Halloween costumes so scandalous and oversexualized?  

When did this fun, kooky, scary holiday become an excuse for girls and grown women 

to dress up as hookers and call it a costume?  It's infuriating.  But it's reality and so we do 

our best to set the example and empower our girls to be strong, confident, self 

respecting young ladies.  We remind them to have fun and celebrate their innocence.  

And when Halloween comes around, we encourage them to be as silly and free spirited as 

can be, just as long as they share their candy with their parents...   

 

These Days

This weekend was easy and slow, full of quiet time as a family.  We recuperated from
Isabelle's first week at school, cooked good food and made a trip to the grocery store.
We caught up on movies and took a Sunday afternoon nap, Isabelle and I read books and
did laundry.  Brees went through my make-up bag and scattered its contents inside her
toy box, smiling her big, mischievous grin as she held up my half-eaten tube of lipstick in
her hand.  I couldn't help but laugh at her, knowing what the toddler years hold.

I treasure these weekends so much, they give me a renewed sense of energy as I start
another work week.  When I am home, I hug my family every chance I get, rarely turning
away from an open set of arms.  It's the small, simple gestures of love that mean the
most: rocking my baby to sleep, painting my daughter's nails, making my husband a cup
of tea in the morning.  As parents, we are so often told, "Cherish these moments, they go
by so fast".  These words are so true: this time is so precious.  This time together as a
young family is a magical time, a phase I can not get enough of.  I want to remember
every chaotic trip to the grocery store, every mess and broken dish.  I want to squeeze
every ounce of love out of every moment, no matter how simple or small.  These are the
days worth remembering.

Mama wore>>Top: JC Penney//Shorts: AE//Shoes: Tom's
Belle wore>>Top: Old navy//Shorts and sandals: Target
Brees wore>>Dress: Carter's//Shoes: Tom's

A few snapshots from our weekend:

Steppin' Out Saturday: Last Hoorah

On Saturday, we stepped out for a day of family time to commemorate the end of 
summer.  Isabelle will enter the third grade this week and we wanted a day to all be 
together before the busy routine of school starts.  We enjoyed lunch, a trip to the 
bookstore, and ran a few errands.  Shawn is quite limited in how long he can be out of 
the house, especially in this heat, but our girls have been so patient and understanding.  
This summer was definitely not what any of us planned for, least of all our 8 year old.  
But, she embraced her role as caretaker and willingly helped us by making Shawn 
his breakfast every morning, pitching in around the house, and entertaining her little 
sister.  She has matured so much over the last few months and I am excited to watch 
her blossom this school year.

Isabelle grew 2 inches this summer, cut off almost 10 inches of hair (which she already 

wants to grow back), and became completely independent in picking out her own clothes 

in the morning.  She definitely has her own style apart from mine and her clothing 

choices are as vibrant as her personality.  She loves to carry a purse everywhere we go 

and totes her own hand sanitizer, lip gloss, and breathe mints: a true little lady.

The girls each got a new book, something I never mind buying them.  I love the 
children's section at our local bookstore because they get to explore and play and have
 fun without bothering any of the grown-ups.  Shawn and I each picked out a new selection
 as well and spent Saturday night in bed, reading.  It was a fun day and the perfect end 
to a memorable summer.  Here's to new adventures in the third grade!!

Steppin' Out Saturday

This Saturday, I stepped out for a couple of hours to see patients as the on call nurse.  I 

took care of a man who was in an accident very similar to Shawn's and we spent over an 

hour sharing our stories and healing through each other's experiences.  It's amazing 

how much taking care of my patients has comforted me through this time, given me a 

sense of purpose and put things into perspective.  After work, I scooped up my family 

and we spent the evening at my aunt's house for a Saturday night BBQ.  We were able 

to sit back and relax and visit with family, enjoy a home cooked meal and the company

 of those who love us.  

Here's what we wore:

Mama>>Dress: Billabong, Sandals: Soda//Belle>>Skirt and top: Old Navy, 

Flats: Target//Brees>>Dress: souvenir from Hawaii, Sandals: Target

This dress was purchased at a total steal from Michelle at She Said's Shop My 

Closet.  Finding a blogger friend who is the same size as you and sells her barely worn 

clothes for crazy amazing deals: priceless!!!  

 

I asked Isabelle what the "A" on her purse stands for.  She answered, "Awesome.  As in: 

this outfit I picked out is awesome!!".  She never ceases to amazing me...

Steppin' Out Saturday: Birthday Edition

On Saturday, we stepped out for our first family outing since returning home from 
the hospital!!  Shawn and Isabelle have been hounding me all week about my
 birthday, begging me for gift ideas and making suggestions for sweet treats.  My 
birthday wish: a movie date with my loves.  My aunt kept baby Brees and we invited 
Sarah to come along for the birthday ride.  We saw "Brave", a super touching story 
about following your heart, creating your own destiny, and the importance of family 
bonds.  We made it home just as Brees was waking up from her afternoon nap and spent
 the rest of the day visiting with friends, entertaining kids, and feeling refreshed after 
our long awaited outing.  I couldn't have asked for more.

 

Jumper and necklace: Target//Belt: Old Navy//Sandals: AE

 

 

Steppin' Out Saturday: Dance Recital

We stepped out on Saturday for Isabelle's 5th dance recital.  It was an exciting day 

filled with beautiful costumes, sweet little ballerinas, and a room filled with proud family 

and friends.  Belle and I woke up early and spent our morning putting the finishing 

touches on her costumes, packing her bag and ensuring that every last detail was in 

place.  She stood patiently in my bathroom as I did her hair, constructing her bun 

and applying her stage make-up.  As parents, we've all heard how fast time flies when

 it comes to our children and this was one of those days that I really felt the speed 

and momentum.  Watching our little girl on that big stage with all her grace and poise, 

it was breathtaking.

Here's what we wore for the weekend... 

Dress: Roxy//Shrug: F21

More photos of our pretty ballerina to come after we rest up.  Hope you are all having 

a lovely weekend!