This Week's Favorites

Favorite photo...

Favorite moment...

My favorite moment this week comes from the night my favorite photo, above, was
 taken. Isabelle was invited to her school's annual Academic Awards Banquet and
 was awarded Most Improved Student!!!  She was ecstatic, so proud of herself as
she marched up and received her certificate.  Shawn and I both had tears in our eyes as
this award meant so much more to us than just the attention: it meant that our little
girl really grew and evolved this year.  All of those nights spent sitting at the kitchen
table, studying through all the frustration, encouraging her, crying with her, driving her
to tutoring, parent/teacher conferences: our sweet girl is most improved.  After
the ceremony, Isabelle's teacher came up to me and gave me the biggest hug.  She said,
"I just want you to know how proud I am of Belle.  She is a great kid and she has worked
so hard.  She reminds me of myself when I was her age.  She's really got a bright
future ahead of her".  And then more tears and lots of hugs.  You may recall this post and
the slow start we got to this school year.  Isabelle's teacher far surpassed any of my
dreams for how this school year would turn out: she was patient, caring, and brought out
 the best in our daughter.  That's all any parent could ever ask for.  Isabelle displayed
her certificate and trophy proudly on her bedside table, smiling as she asked, "Are
you proud of me, Mama?".  Isabelle, there aren't enough words to tell you how proud I am
of our, how proud we all are.  Your teacher said it best: you have a very bright future
ahead of you!!

Favorite links...

I don't typically talk politics on my blog but this video had me laughing out loud.
Anyone else tired of listening to grown men discuss women's reproductive issues?

Speaking of politics: he FINALLY went there.  Woohoo!!

Do you experience "The Witching Hour" at your house, too?  A post here and another
one here: great insight and suggestions.

Nessa suffered every mother's worst nightmare this week.  I cried just reading this!

This blog is so beautiful and inspiring: it's absolutely dreamy.

Are you as in love with Jon Hamm as I am?  Watch this video: Ask a Grown Man.
 Sound advice!

Exercise for pregnant people: hilarious and REAL.

Homemade, all natural flea killer for your pets and your home.

I LOVE this idea for a baby book.

This Week's Favorites

Favorite photo...

Favorite songs...

Favorite links...

This post from Kara spoke to my heart.  Such a powerful reminder.

This post on working women had me pumping my fist in the air.

I cried when I watched this video of a dog reuniting with his owner after 

deployment.  Unconditional love!!

The world was finally blessed to meet baby Amelia!!  

This front porch and garden makeover have me itching to start work on the front 

of our house.

Nick put a ring on Kate's beautiful, dirt covered hands.  

Tears of joy for them both!

Marie is an amazing writer and friend.  

This poem was my mantra today.

This version of Radiohead's "Creep" sent chills down my spine.  Listen to the 

whole thing, her voice could move mountains.

I love this weekly link-up.

This link contains some amazing info for helping your child with ADD/ADHD to succeed.  

I refer to it often.

Favorite moment...

After a long day at work and an intense work-out at the gym, I decided to sneak in a 

quick shower before dinner.  I had everything prepared: water running, fluffy 

towels waiting, when Brees came flying into the bathroom to find her mama.  In her 

hurried entrance, she tripped over the rug and fell to the floor, crying loudly and reaching 

for me to save her.  As I scooped her up, Isabelle came into the bathroom to tell me that 

she had forgotten about an English test for the next day and needed me to call out 

the questions for her study guide: right now please!!  It wasn't long before Shawn 

entered the room, wondering what all the commotion was about and looking to join the 

party in the bathroom.  He had just figured out how to play a Black Crowes song I've 

been crushing on and wanted me to hear it.  There I stood, half naked, my shower 

long forgotten, baby on my hip, daughter at my feet, husband banging out guitar riffs 

whilst sitting on the toilet.  Our very own Norman Rockwell painting, my American 

dream.  A life rich in love, noise, and knowing when to turn the water off and be present

 in the moment with the ones you love.

This Week's Favorites

Favorite photo...

I just love when this picture shy fella gives in and holds me like we are at Prom '97...

Favorite quote...

To keep the fire burning brightly there's one easy rule:  Keep the two logs together, 

near enough to keep each other warm and far enough apart - about a finger's breadth - 

for breathing room.  Good fire, good marriage, same rule. 

~Marnie Reed Crowell

Favorite recipe...

I made these kebabs while my in-laws were visiting: SO GOOD!

Favorite links...

Vanessa's post on letting go: a struggle we can all relate to.

Your children want you!!!  YES!!!

This birthday party looks like a blast!  I love the idea of setting up canvases for the kids 

to go wild.

This photo gallery of yummy lunchboxes gave me so many ideas!

Caitlin's post touched my heart in so many ways.  I have a husband who works away and
can completely relate to the worry and anxiety she feels.

DIY aloe vera gel: a must for our outdoor loving family.

A blog written by two sisters, one who lives in the country and one who lives in the city.  

I love their two unique perspectives!

I love Erin, her photos, and this sweet day.  

A great post for anyone interested in raising chickens, per my real life friend, 

Marcus.

Favorite moment...

Truth be told, I had a bad week.  On Monday, my in-laws flew home and Shawn left for 

his work trip.  I have felt sad all week and have really missed all the noise and chaos 

of having a house full of people.  Work was stressful and ridiculously busy and I've been 

up late every night catching up on my charting.  Isabelle had a big school project due and 

we were glued to the kitchen table every night working to get it done, making her 

very restless and irritated.  Overall, this week left me feeling tired, overworked, and 

wishing that every weekend was a 4 day weekend like the last.  Last night, I finally 

said screw it, enough is enough.  We finished up Isabelle's project, I put my work 

computer away, turned off the phone, and my girls and I all climbed into bed.  We went 

to sleep very early, all of us feeling exhausted and needing to let our bodies rest.  With a 

girl on each side of me, little hands in my hair and legs strewn about, I felt myself

 clinging tightly to their smells, their relentless love.  I found myself finally relaxing 

and letting go of my sad funk.  It was a bad week, and that's okay.  We all have 

those sometimes.  And when we do, sometimes it's best to just go to bed and cuddle 

and start over tomorrow.

This Week's Favorites

Favorite photo...

Favorite recipe...

Caesar Basil Pasta Salad

Favorite links...

Are you as devastated by the end of Picnik as I am?  Check out iPiccy.  It has most of 

the same, easy to use features as Picnik and makes me feel a tad bit better about losing 

one of my favorite websites.

A list of mosquito repelling plants: very useful as summer quickly approaches!  I put 

this article to good use this week and filled three large planters full of these plants.  

If anything, our patio is looking green and beautiful!

A list of ways to build your daughter's self esteem.

An amazing adventure to celebrate the great outdoors.  If anyone would like to take 

this challenge on, email or comment me and we can embark on this journey together!

An insightful, practical post on how to lose the baby weight, or any weight for that 

matter.  Words to live by: "The human body will take care of itself, if you take care 

of the body".

Two blogs I am loving at the moment here and here.

Favorite moment...

On Wednesday, I was able to finish my workday by noon.  Belle was at school, Shawn 

was working, and our babysitter texted me to say that Brees had just gone down for her 

nap after a cranky morning.  I decided to blow off a few hours before picking the girls 

up, skipping my afternoon workout and instead grabbing a chai tea latte and a new

 book.  After sitting outside and enjoying a few chapters, I headed to my favorite nursery 

and walked around, admiring the beautiful plants, talking to the sweet little old lady who 

runs the register, comparing notes with the other costumers about our gardens so far.  I 

took my sweet time, picking up an aloe vera plant and some extra mulch.  After 

browsing through each and every aisle, I sat on the swing outside the nursery and caught 

up on a few phone calls, chatting with my girlfriends, catching up on life.  It was such a 

nice afternoon, so lazy and slow, so simple.  I drove home with my windows down, 

Of Monsters and Men blaring on the stereo.  I was so refreshed and excited to get home 

to my family.  And so thankful for a quiet, peaceful afternoon to myself.    

This Week's Favorites

Favorite photo...

Favorite quote...

While rattling off a list of a hundred and one things that needed to be done before
Isabelle's birthday slumber party tonight, Shawn patiently listened to me and
then responded:

"Babe, it's cool.  Everything will be fine.  It's just a birthday party.  We're not
hosting Lollapalooza 2012 in our backyard for God's sake." 

Favorite links...

Carley's list, "Five Things I Know at 25", is just 25 different kinds of 

right on.  

Have you been reading longest acres?  Trust me: you will love it.  Kate and Nick and 

life on the farm, it's just beautiful.

Natalie's reasons for blogging are from my own heart.  

The sweetest proposal for the sweetest lady.  I am so excited for 

Wendy, Wytmer, and Hannah!!

Favorite songs...

Favorite moment...

After a long day at work, nothing seems more enticing than the thought of my big, comfy 

bed.  After a hot bath, a few chapters of my new book, and a cup of tea, I rested my head 

on my soul one's chest and began to drift away.  The bliss was short lived, however, as 

we were soon awakened by a crying Isabelle who swore up and down that monsters 

had claimed her room as theirs.  Into the bed she climbed, right between her mama 

and daddy, in the place where she feels safe.  We drifted off to sleep again only to 

be awakened by a crying Brees who swore up and down that she needed a midnight 

snack RIGHT NOW.  Into the bed she climbed, right between her mama and daddy, in 

the place where she feels safe.  I soon found myself with 2 inches of bed to call my own, 

Brees' arm thrown across my face, Belle's legs across mine, Shawn snoring like a grizzly 

bear.  I let out a big sigh, willing myself to just fall asleep despite being terribly 

uncomfortable.  And then Shawn rolled over, wrapped his feet around mine, the only 

body parts we could reach between the babies, and he whispered, "I love you, Liv.  Love 

you so much.  Isn't this so nice?".  And he went right back to snoring.  And I thought, yes, 

this is so nice.  Our bed is full of love, full of my favorite people.  

I suppose there's not much to complain about.

This Week's Favorites

Favorite photo...

Favorite quote...

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a 
mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; 
the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and 
grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.  
~George Bernard Shaw

Favorite links...

I love this family so much.  They are so full of love and embrace life in such a 

beautiful way.

Nichole captures the beauty of simplicity in a way that takes my breathe away.  

She inspires me daily.

This blog, this moment, these photos: WOW.

An incredibly smart, articulate post on vaccines.  I have wanted to post on this topic 

often but have feared the backlash.  Dani manages to capture my thoughts and had 

me nodding in agreement.  SO refreshing to read this point of view.

One of my new favorite blogs.

Favorite recipe...

Foil pack chicken and broccoli dinner

Favorite pin...

Source

Favorite moment...

After a busy afternoon playing outside in the garden and a very messy dinner on the 
back patio, I picked Brees up and brought her inside for bath time.  She threw the 
temper tantrum of the century, complete with screaming, head butting, and thrashing 
limbs.  She ran for the door and tried to get back out, a true lover of the outdoors, not 
wanting her time in the yard to end.  I took a deep breathe, picked my mad little girl up, 
and carried her upstairs to the bath.  I filled the tub with warm water and lavender, 
placed her favorite duckies in the water, and stripped off her dirty, sticky clothes: all 
while she screamed bloody murder and attempted to crawl, kick, and scratch her way 
to freedom.  I have never seen her so upset and was truly taken aback by her behavior.  
But I just kept patiently trucking on, methodically running through our night time 
routine, staying calm and putting her gently in the tub.  When she got into the water, 
she instantly stopped crying, looking up at me with her big brown eyes.  She scooted her 
way to the side of the tub where I was leaning in on my knees, ready to wipe her tears 
away.  Our eyes met, she let out a huge sigh, and then she wrapped her arms around 
my neck.  My heart completely melted in the floor as my tired, dirt streaked baby gave in 
and relaxed.  We sat like that for a while, me leaning into the tub, her leaning out of it, 
our arms wrapped around each other.  I scooped water onto her back slowly and 
hummed "Strawberry Fields Forever" into her ear.  Her breathing slowed and her tears 
were gone but she didn't let go, she just listened and enjoyed the water as I scooped it 
over her back.  We held each other close, the warmth of the water and our hug 
comforting her.  After I had gotten her as clean as I could, I picked her up and put her 
jammies on.  I brought her to the nursery and rocked her to sleep, her arms still 
wrapped around my neck.  This moment was my favorite for two reasons.  One: It was 
one of those tender, beautiful moments in motherhood that take your heart and make 
it bigger.  My little girl threw her tantrum but then gave in to the love of her mama.  
Two: I kept my cool and parented out of love.  I didn't get frustrated, I didn't react to 
her negative behavior.  I remained consistent and allowed the predictability of her 
routine and my calm and cool vibe to comfort her.  As a parent, that can be an 
incredibly challenging feat.  I am thankful for and encouraged by this experience.