The Goldilocks Effect

Poor Uncle Jeff.

He had one request for the grocery list.... steel cut oatmeal.

Well, apparently my kids, and everyone else love it too.

We fixed some oatmeal for Jeff for breakfast, but by the time Jeff got out to the kitchen to have some, all he could say was, "someone's been eating all of my porridge."

Well, apparently I've lost the pictures of Jeff's sorrowful look over his pot of oatmeal, so on a brighter note, I decided to include this photo that Nana took of Jeff finally getting some food.

Walking in a Winter Wonder Land

This year, Christmas has taken us to the Great White North.... Canada.

On our first day here, we went out with Uncle Peter for a sleigh ride.

Daddy and Uncle Peter took Drew on his first sled rid

Drew and Uncle Peter had a great time dashing through the snow.e

We took Drew out in hopes of running off some of his energy.... I think it was Peter that slept so well that night.

Snow angels came in all sizes this year.

Little Man had the time of his life.

Santa's Coming to Town

Today was the big "Santa Picture Day." All things considered, it went pretty well. Emma and Drew are at the ages where Santa could have been almost impossible. Drew is now 2 1/2 and Emma is 11 months. That's pretty tricky.
Before we met Santa, we had dinner with Melinda, Michael, and Sadie. The original plan was to take the kids outdoors for pictures, but by the time that I had them dressed and ready, it was already 5:15 and the light was just about gone. So I opted for Plan B. Melinda had said that she was going to have Sadie's picture taken with Santa tonight, so we crashed their party and showed up for them too since the kids were dressed in their Christmas Cuties.
We ate dinner first and Drew did EVERYTHING Sadie did (as usual). He would walk to the end of the world with her, I swany!
Then off to take pictures.
When we got up there, the kids started to cry, and I thought, "Oh no! This can't be!" But after a few raisins and some Ho Ho Ho's, they were at least not screaming anymore.
This was the best that we could do (which was better than I thought we were going to get when they first sat down).
Santa was so good to the kids. Drew told him he wanted "presents" (in a whisper) and then got a lollipop for being such a good boy.
Emma got lots of attention for being such a cutie patutie.
So here they are.....
(drumroll please)

Playing Chicken

So Kim, our very creative and talented art teacher, is teaching her absolutely gorgeous girls about a self sustaining life all while fulfilling a lifelong dream.... ok, maybe that's overstating it, but she always thought it would be very cool to have a farm. She has taken her suburban living to the next level by starting what she calls "The Underground Egg Co." That's right folks, Kim has acquired some chickens. I'll let you figure out why she may call it "The Underground Egg Co" (hint: it probably has something to do with that suburban life, I'm guessing). After much research, she found the perfect breeder in Florida for the chickens that she wanted.

Isn't that gorgeous! Who knew!?! (I guess Kim did)

Anyways, the girls have become so attached!

Is that not the cutest picture!

Ezra has taken a real interest in them.

She's such a little "mama" to them.

She has even started "showing" them and she's quite successful! I love this family for taking something so "quarky" and running with it. I want to be this family. It just looks like so much fun!

Even Ellison is getting in on this gig.

Then Ezra's art started to, what do they say, "reflect life."

She has actually put some pieces in some shows and she makes a little cash on the side! Kim has taught her about philanthropy in the process and Ezra has donated to organizations such as Whale Wars with her earnings.... Now do you see what I mean when I tell you I want to BE this family. They are so cool!

Ok, so not all of her inspired artwork goes on the gallery wall. But this cool doodle scores total rockstar points with me!!!!

Kim has also done some fantastic things with her inspiration.

I love hearing about how the chickens are doing. Kim is so funny telling the stories about the chickens and how the neighbors are so wonderful about it and how it's embarrassing to buy eggs in the store when she has to. I love to hear it all Kim.... please keep the stories coming!

Celebrate

What better topic to blog about for my 300th post (I know.... crazy!) than Melinda's 30th birthday celebration!

For those of you that know Melinda, you know she doesn't particularly want to be the center of attention, but Michael, Mary and I decided that's just tough! So we planned a surprise party for her.

Happy Birthday Melinda!!!

Drew helped me make the Italian Cream Cake for the party. Mama Horton made a carrot cake and Mary made the pumpkin cake. They were de-licious!

Emma settling in with some snacks getting ready for the party to begin. (I just realized that it looks like she's eating the chips and drinking the ice tea... that's not the case folks... don't worry. She had her own stuff.

There's the birthday girl... this is the moment that she's starting to figure out that this is her birthday party. Her first statement was "so it was all a lie!?!" Not "wow, what a surprise!" hahaha. She couldn't believe that she was left out of planning.

Sadie is enjoying some food at her Mama's birthday party.

Melinda's worst nightmare. Mary had told the staff that under NO CIRCUMSTANCES were they to sing to Melinda. She has always been VERY adamant about that. However, some way or another, they still did.

You can see it all in "the look." Melinda knows who's to blame for this.

Jill got Melinda random 30's for her 30th.

Michael is counting to check that there were 30 post it's

By the end of the night Sadie looked like a wild woman. Even still, isn't she adorable!?!

Sittin' Here Missing My Best Friend

I'm sitting around tonight feeling sorry for myself because I'm missing my best friend from Louisiana so terribly, my heart feels like it's going to fall out of my body. Just thought I'd repost this story to show everybody how wonderful of a person she is. I just read on Facebook that she's looking for a person in the New Orleans area that would allow a young child to ride, brush, pet a horse. She says her niece is inexperienced, but desperately in love with horses. She thought it would be a great Christmas present. Isn't she the best!


THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009

Attachment: I Hope You Dance

I have a bijillion things to do right now and the kids are both napping (so you know how precious this time is), but I'm dropping it all right now to tell this story!
Just a few minutes ago I got a call from my long-time friend (one of the best!!!), Jennifer. She had called the other day to tell me that something was in the mail for me. Now mind you, her birthday was this past Monday. So I'm kind of like, wow, you buy me things for your birthday? I've got a good gig going here. haha.
Well, anyways, back to today's phone call.

Me: Hello
Jenn: Are you near a computer? (she rarely ever says hello back.... and I love that about her. She gets right to it)
Me: I can be
Jenn: I'm sending you an email with an attachment.
ME: Ok.... I'm here, I'll just open my email.... (here's where we had a short, funny little conversation about how impatient we are b/c the email wasn't absolutely instant, and when I say absolutely, I mean it only took about 45 seconds to reach me from Louisiana. But I was still impatient enough to comment about "Ugh, it's not here yet"
Me: Oh, here it is. (I read the title "I Hope You Dance")
Me: Oh, I love that song
Jenn: I know!
Then I proceed to open the attachment and see this:


Me: Oh, I love this artist! What a pretty..... OH!!!!!!!
Tears instantly come rushing out of my eyes like they never have before
Me: I..... Oh my gosh...... ah..... *sniff* ..... I..... don't..... Oh my gosh! *sob sob sob sob*
Jenn: (laughing) It's for you.

Jennifer had read my previous post about my new favorite artist, Peggy Thibodeau, and had contacted her and told her my story about my parents and me. After a few conversations and Peggy Thibodeau checking out my blog (OMG!!!), and flipping through different pieces of artwork, they came up with this piece for me. SHE PAINTED IT JUST FOR ME!!!

I am still crying! It is the most special thing!!!!!
I'm still speechless, Jennifer. You are too precious of a friend, and you'll never know how much you mean to me!!!!!!!!!!!!! And yes, this is definitely going in the book!!!!
Thank you,

And here's what people who read my blog had to say about it:

Lauren Cole said...

That is the sweetest thing, Mary Beth! True friends are absolutely rare :)

JULY 30, 2009 3:12 PM

Anneke said...

Wow, that is truely amazing. You know what MB - people love you because you are so wonderful to love. This painting is so so beautiful, and so full of you. Lots of love, anneke xoxox

JULY 30, 2009 4:14 PM

Melissa Lester said...

What a wonderful, heartfelt gifts you have in that painting and in your friend!

JULY 30, 2009 11:28 PM

Robin said...

Wow....what a great friend! That was so very thoughtful. So......what did you get her for her birthday? :-D

AUGUST 10, 2009 10:21 AM

Michelle said...

WOWWOWOOWOWOWOWOW! How amazing!!!!!

AUGUST 10, 2009 10:32 AM

samsstuff said...

What a wonderful friend you have & what a very special gift! You are very lucky!
I saw your blog featured on the SITS site & I had to stop by to comment on your lovely blog.
Take care,
Shelley

AUGUST 10, 2009 12:39 PM

San said...

What a great friend you have!!! :) Such a thoughtful gift!

AUGUST 10, 2009 10:15 AM

shelley said...

Wow, i'm so stuned every once in a while when i see a post that "hits" me... you need to go to my blog this link... http://iamstillstandingafterallthistime.blogspot.com/2009/08/and-when-you-get-choice-to-sit-it-out.html
i think you will enjoy! welcome to my world! sending smiles on your wonderful sits day!
shelley
http://iamstillstandingafterallthistime.blogspot.com
http://theplaygroundprincess.blogspot.com

AUGUST 10, 2009 12:15 PM

Queenie Jeannie said...

Kinda teary here too. What a great friend you have!!!

And as a Mom, I hope you dance too.

AUGUST 10, 2009 6:27 AM

Amandasaurus said...

Wow, what a unique and special birthday gift! You really have a forever friend in Jennifer. Lucky you

AUGUST 10, 2009 6:21 AM

BunnoGal said...

Wow. You must have felt so loved when you realised it was made for you.

AUGUST 10, 2009 4:00 AM

Kekibird said...

Wow, that's fabulous, touching and so cool! To have an artist check out your blog and then to have that picture done for you. So wonderful.

Happy FB on SITS Day!

AUGUST 10, 2009 2:14 PM

Kirsten said...

MaryBeth: I don't even know the real significance behind the painting, but just reading the excerpt between you and Jennifer brought streams of tears to my eyes. Friends like that are so hard to find - hang tight to each other!!

AUGUST 10, 2009 2:40 PM

Mary Beth said...

Yes, she is a WONDERFUL friend. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have her in my life. I wish y'all knew her too. On top of having a heart the size of Texas, she is hilarious, leveling, and scary brilliant (I bet she'd qualify for Mensa if she were to test for it).

Queenie Jeannie - I lost my mother recently, so this was an incredibly special gift. You saying that you hope the same for me (as a mother yourself) means so much. It's so sweet of you to say so. Thank you

Shelley - I sure will stop by

Kirsten - when my mother was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2003, she told me that she wanted me "to dance" just like the song had said. I made her a scrapbook that went along with the lyrics. It had pictures that went with each line of the song to show her that I am "dancing" so that she would feel more at peace with where I am in life and leaving me. Once she passed away, I found the scrapbook in the drawer of her bedside table. We were very close, and I'm glad that we shared those particular moments and didn't let it pass by. I know that she knows that I'm ok.

AUGUST 10, 2009 3:00 PM

Meg said...

Beautiful story & painting!

AUGUST 10, 2009 3:47 PM

ldsmommyof12 said...

A wonderful story of friendship. Thanks.

AUGUST 10, 2009 4:16 PM