the power of the hug + a shout out to the inventor

as I rode along on the lake yesterday I silently set holding my sleeping son looking out at the water around me, so big, so calm, quiet amazing and beautiful. I looked down at him often and I know I kissed the top of his head at least five hundred times, knowing that these moments are ever so fleeting. as I continued to bask in the warm sun as it too kissed my baby’s body, I found myself holding him so tightly, not to the point of squeezing him for fear of waking him; but I assure you it was close. as we rode along, traveling several miles we hit waves of other boats that went before us causing a rougher bumpier ride, in his sleep he was startled, he jumped in fear of falling, maybe. in that moment I made sure that I held him just a little tighter assuring him that I had him and that I was not going to let anything happen to him. he dozed back off knowing that he was safe- just by my embrace. and then I thought (because it’s what I do- I’m a thinker an analyzer) whoever invented the hug, the embrace, being held- was right on the money, genius. I remember being a kid, a teenager, when I was sick, or scared or hurting there was nothing, no words that would make me feel any better than my mom or dad hugging me, it was so reassuring feeling that eventually, whatever it was would pass, that I was safe, it made whatever was ailing me feel better. to this day, my favorite thing is to be hugged, to be held, embraced. nothing makes me feel better than getting a big ole’ hug from my hubby after a long trying day or when that boy of mine runs over to me throws those little arms around my legs or my neck and squeezes me so hard that he’s gritting his teeth (which by the way totally makes me cringe, but really, who’s gonna tell him not to do that in the moment?!) as if he’s trying to super-hero squeeze all the life out of me, in turn actually breathing more life into my being, warming my heart. it’s amazing, really, how something so small as taking your arms and wrapping them around someone holds so much power, magnificent power. just this morning the kiddo wasn’t feeling so great, he said, “momma, my belly’s hurting, will you hold me, it will make me feel better,” after minutes of holding him, he assured me that his belly was no longer hurting that “momma, you made it better” and he was on his way, that alone proved my point, my theory. it’s a cure, an emotion, a feeling, an action assuring you how truly special- how important you are, it speaks louder than any words letting you know everything is gonna be ok, that you’re safe, that above all else that you are SO loved. i hug him while he sleeps, my hubby hugs us when he's leaving if we're still asleep, it’s the first thing I do when Lo wakes up in the morning, I hug him sporadically hundreds of times throughout the day, it’s the first thing we do when we see daddy, when we leave from visiting someone special and every night before bed- not counting all those times unmentioned in between. in other words, I don't think I would make it thru a day if I knew I didn’t have a hug to look forward to, if i thought that i couldn't hug my loves, my family. it’s such a good thing, a pure thing, in a world where very few good things exist, where there is very few things that haven’t been tainted; it remains. it’s my go to for all things and it works every time. it makes for a better day, a better life- that’s a promise. I can guarantee it, it’s a been there, done that, been tested again and again and walked away with a t-shirt one hundred percent kind of guarantee! try it, you’ll see, test me and try to prove me wrong. you won’t! ;)

on another note…hey y’all- if there is even a y’all left out there waiting for my writing return. it’s been a while. if you couldn’t tell I have been on a pretty strict hiatus from the blogging-sphere this summer. I have spent my time totally focused on all that’s important. my blog (and most social networking), being the lesser of those things got put on the back burner, rightfully so. as summer is coming to a close closing (man, oh man, at times I can almost feel fall in the air, I’m craving it, y’all, it’s my favorite), I’m going to try my best to be a better blogger, at least a once a week check in. along with summer, fall is a pretty busy time for the H.family (ok, now I’m thinking- what season isn’t?! but if I had to pick busiest…) with all the holidays, the kiddos birthday and such, so I’m gonna do my very best- but no promises. so bear with me if you will, check back periodically, I may surprise you. (I tend to update my facebook and/or twitter (@mommaratzzi) more often, so look me up add me or follow me, sometimes I can be kinda fun.)

things i'm lovin'.

my boy and his extreme love of lightning a.k.a "gitchow"-

it's just too darn cute.
date days or nights. i'm lovin em'.
yesterday we went and saw two movies, yes I said two. it's has been a dream of my hubby's- and it was the perfect time to come true. we saw crazy, stupid, love...charming, just perfect. a GREAT movie. and cowboys and aliens...completely different than the first but really good too. we did a couple other things while we were out too since we left in the a.m. it was a great, much needed time out.my kiddo's drawings- his imagination.
these are just a few that i have take pictures of.
1. a fishy, 2. a smiley face, 3. airplane, 4. "gitchow"
5. a person, 6. an octopus
i personally think he does a GREAT job.
i think we have a little artist on our hands.sour patch kids...love em'. the honda cross-tour i really really want one. rita's italian ice on market sq.
juicy pear is my absolute favorite, yummy.
it's my my favorite treat. mello yello and coke...zero.
guilt-less goodness. (stephen king's)
haven.
friday nights on syfy.
i watched it last season and loved it-
it's even better this time around. hello giggles.
peaches.
i'm addicted to them this summer.
twitter.
hi, i'm crystal and i've been a celebrity stalker since april, lol.
that's pretty much all i have one for, with the occasional update here and there.

the gift of time.

i'm on a sharing what i read frenzy here recently, but mostly it's just the stuff that really hits home with me, stuff i can't help but spread around. the article that i am gonna share with you is one that honestly i couldn't have said it any better, wrote it better. i'm actually a little jealous that i didn't write it to be honest, i certainly wish that i had so that i could take the credit for taking such an emotion, one that can't be seen-only felt and painting it's picture with words, so beautifully perfect. as i sat there reading it, it will come as no surprise to you that i squalled like a big ole' baby. i then quickly shared it with my hubby at work, shortly there after i got a text that read, "thanks a lot, Crystal- what a flood of emotions, i'm all teary eyed..." it really has that effect on you, or at least it does to us, lol. whether i wrote it or not it's to the "t" how i feel- who i am.

• I’ve always had the ability to recognize the happy moments I will miss later in life as I live them. It’s like a pre-nostalgia – a certain knowledge that in the future, I will lament the fact that I cannot go back to that particular sliver of time. Nostalgia is a nasty emotion. Linger in it too long and it grows stronger. Try to ignore it and it weakens you. I suppose nostalgia gives us something to yearn for, but that yearning feels awfully hopeless as memories fade.
  
  My children, still young and unaware that they will one day want to have their own lives away from their parents, are at the age now that I know for sure I will miss very much. Though I often joke about how hard parenting is (and it is), I wouldn’t trade away this time of my life for an easier life of self indulgence. Being a dad has been an important part of my own growth as a person and fatherhood adds a complexity to my existence that I cannot imagine living without. My wife and I are still young enough to feel young and our own parents are still active enough to not seem too old. This is a happy time, which I know I will miss desperately as the years go by.
  
  As a workaround for that pesky problem of aging and lost years, I often imagine that an older me has been granted the wish to come back in time to right now. I pretend that 95-year-old future me has been given that gift just before death and that my one wish is to come back to 2011 to see my kids as little kids, my wife as a beautiful young woman and to see a world around me still within my grasp. I know it’s a bit strange, but it helps me savor the smallest moments around me that might otherwise slip away under appreciated, or worse, unnoticed.
  
  I suppose it’s something of a nostalgia alarm.
  
  It hits me at strange times. If I hear them playing and laughing in the other room, I wonder what it will feel like to dream about that very moment one day, when they have long since moved out and I won’t be able to walk in and hug them and play with them. I picture older me waking from a dream of my happy past, hearing the fading echoes of their young voices evaporate into the darkness around me as reality reclaims an old man from his sleep. I can actually feel the longing (as if I am that old man right now) to run into that room and see them as young children just one more time, to hug them and talk to them and tickle them and play with them and laugh with them. It’s a longing that I can vividly imagine and it makes my heart hurt.
  
  But then, here I am. I have not aged and my nostalgia is premature. I have that opportunity every single moment of every day, I remember and I seize it with relief. This weird nostalgia alarm seems to go off in my mind each time some piece of me senses that I am missing time with them or that I am ignoring the happy family moments I will later ache for.
  
  Yesterday, I was watching a baseball game in the living room. It seemed important, although I realize of course that it’s not at all. Outside, Lucy and Zach ran around the yard, chasing hummingbirds and inventing games to keep them laughing. Emmy crawled in the grass and discovered the brand new world around her. As I sat on the couch, the happy laughter and squeals from outside faded into the background behind the less important sounds of a televised baseball game. Inside me, that familiar alarm sounded softly. “Get out there while you can,” I thought. A wish granted, I imagined. Suddenly, the laughter outside became the only thing I heard. I recognized, with some sadness, that I will never wish for the chance to go back in time to see a baseball game on TV. I turned it off and joined them outside. Maybe somewhere, future me is enjoying this precious time as if he never aged at all.
  
  Even if not, present me most certainly is. - s. nickerson

momma-hood.

i read a devotion while reading one of my favorite blogs today. i just loved it so and wanted to share it here. it meant a lot to me, because my job of being a momma is the most important thing to me (along with being a wife, of course). it is by far the most fullfilling, most rewarding thing/job that i have ever done or had. if you're a momma (or daddy for that matter), i hope you enjoy it and feel as blessed reading it as I did.

“parents tell their children to make sure they enjoy their life before they get married. young people want to do their own thing and enjoy life before settling down. they have come to think that settling down and having children will not be enjoyable. on the other hand, God equates having children with joy. motherhood is associated with joy “He makes the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. praise the Lord.” psalm 113:9. it is true that there are many unhappy mothers and fathers. i believe this is mostly because of mind attitude. society has taught women to think that mothering is an inferior task and careerism is far more important, they feel bogged down with children who interfere with their life choices. they love their children, but they don’t love motherhood. this is the catch...it’s not enough to love our children; we must love motherhood! it is only when we embrace motherhood that we enter into the joy of it and begin to experience the fullness and anointing of motherhood that God intends us to walk in.” ~n. campbell

our nine years.

today marks our nine years together (wow!)- time just gets away with us. he was my first (and last- just for the record :)) real boyfriend. geez, i loved that boy. the pictures above are of our first "official" date as an "official" couple. we had been spotted around town together on occasion or hanging out at the family functions "as friends" nothing was, umm, how shall I say it...branded, lol. these have been the best times of my life and they just keep on getting better and better...i still love that boy and will for oh, at least another nine-ty years (longer if I had my way of being an immortal!)

a little ditty for my love:
"Look how far we've come after all, and i just couldnt be with out you, and i wouldnt wanna be without you. You know some times you drive me up the wall. But I just couldnt live without you, and I wouldnt wanna live without you. But you, you make me feel...cause you, babe you make me feel so in love. We could plant a seed and watch it grow. But I just couldnt do it without you, and I wouldnt wanna do it without you. Forever on my arm and in my heart, but I just couldnt live without you, no I wouldnt wanna live without you. Yeah you, you make me feel....cause you, babe you make me feel so in love. Truly, madly, deeply is my love for you, but i just couldnt live without you, no i wouldnt wanna live without you. Look how far we've come after all, and i just couldnt be with out you, and i wouldnt wanna be without you. Yeah you, you make me feel....cause you, babe you make me feel so in love."

from the inside.

where i'm at.

i am alive. i'm still here. and i do plan on getting back to blogging, eventually. i am busy, busy enjoying summer and life to the fullest. time with my loves and family. camp-outs, lakeside, fishing, riding the boat, firsts, bon-fires, cookouts, shopping, adventures, new movies, kids club, the theater with the boys, dates with the hubby, parties, thinking, planning, preparing, trips, rest, witnessing the ever expanding world of the kiddo. i am content and i am still, even in all the craziness of my life my heart is steady. the waters are calm and i am at peace. see you soon. until then-

xoxo, C.

fourth of july.

the fourth, of course, makes me automatically think about fireworks and when I think about fireworks, I think about the "firework" song (you know the one, "cuz baby you're a firework...") and immediatley start belting it out (like I just did there!).

it's a little early- but when I get a chance to be early or on time- rather than late, I surely take it, so... happy fourth. hope y'all have a great celebratory weekend. xoxo

a love letter.

(you'll probably wanna click to enlarge)

pride and joy.

I have spent the better part of my momma-hood with something that I like to call “milestone mixed emotions”- and while the title is fairly self explanatory, I will expound. From the moment he was born I eagerly anticipated all those major things that happen in a (baby) boy's life. The babbling and cooing, the sitting up, the crawling, the walking, the end to the bottle, the talking, the disappearing pacy, being potty trained- and while those are the most recent ones, the later of the milestones do and have crossed my mind. You know the ones I’m referring to: school, girls, driving, graduating, college, marriage and all the life moments that happen in between, all the possibilities- all of which are truly an exciting part of life, but when thought about a the smile that crosses my face is accompanied by the shedding of a tear. With every milestone that Lo comes to I am there cheering him on, praising him, encouraging him…I am his biggest fan (along with his daddy, of course). But when I’m not busy being a cheerleader and I’m in that quiet spot that in a days time we all get to (eventually), I feel in my heart, not only a massive amount of pride and happiness but a bit of a heaviness. It’s no secret, I have always been very open with y'all about the fact that I am a major sap, especially when it comes to my kid, and with every milestone that we have met and conquered together there comes what I like to call "cocktail tears" (it's salt water with a mixture of a lot of happiness, pride and a dash of sadness because, hello, that baby boy is becoming a big boy…inevitably so.)

Getting down to what this post is all about...I am so pleased to announce that we have ourselves a potty going big boy!!! It’s a very exciting announcement, for not only me and his daddy but for Lo as well, he is SO proud of himself and it shows every time this little grin comes over his face when he has succeeded in the potty. Our quick success came as an unexpected surprise to me, to us. I have heard horror stories when it comes to this milestone, therefore, I was mentally prepared for what could possibly be in store, I had it in my mind that there was a possibility that it was going to be difficult and possibly even more difficult than what I was prepared for- as a parent we know that things don’t always go the way we have planned, they have minds of their own, after all. I am ashamed to admit that, the fact that I had automatically assumed the worst of the situation, I should have known him better than that.

Monday- I spent the day getting prepared and reading over the route in which I had planned to take, Tuesday was our first day, making today our sixth day and I don’t consider us potty training anymore… My heart swells with pride as I write that he is one heck of a potty champ- in all of our “training” days and beyond he has not had not one accident, he has self-initiated since day one, woke up dry from night-night every night and done his business- if you know what I mean. There aren’t words to describe how happy I am and the amount of pride that my heart feels. I know I’m gonna be biased, he’s my kid- and if parents aren’t biased about their kid(s) then honestly I worry about them, lol- so I just have to take a moment to state the obvious...he is wonderful, the absolute best, super duper smart, just perfect- I cannot sing his praises enough. I am one proud momma and if his daddy had a blog he would say the exact same thing- since he doesn’t I’ll say it for him, WE ARE SO PROUD!

I might as well get down to it, confession time...as happy and as over the moon excited about the whole thing as I am, there are moments when it hits me, ya know it being- bye bye baby- hello big boy and I have the darndest time catching my breath. This milestone is so “big boy official” (to me) more so than any other. Seeing that little tooshie in those big boy underwear has to be one of the cutest and heart-wrenching things I have seen to date. In the past few days he has been transformed into a big boy and for a momma that is an admitted cry baby I have had my fair share of “there is something in my eye” kinda moments. If I could, I would keep him little forever, but I know that is a non-existent reality. With all that being said, the happiness is triumphant. I am so happy for his success, so happy that he is a big boy, so happy and thankful that I get to be a witness to his life- to all the milestones big and small. So that’s why I have been blogger M.I.A this past week, totally worth it (as are most reasons for my blogging absence, lol). I thought about blogging “it” mid week and then the fear of the “jinx” kicked in and I just had to refrain- I mentally could not get passed the thought of that possibility (yea, I’m a weirdo or at least that’s what my hubby thinks, lol). One more time- it’s just gotta be said…Momma is so very proud of you, Mister!

I’m so happy to share a few pictures highlighting our potty training experience/success: On Monday we made our way to Wal-Mart to get prepared for our days ahead. He picked out his big boy underwear and Momma got stocked up on potty prizes... When we got home I started right away making our potty prize box. I got a cardboard box, cut a hole big enough to reach in and grab a special prize out of and wrapped it up in some really fun wrapping paper. We then told him what it was and sat it to where he could see it but not reach it. When he went during one of our timed intervals he got something smaller like a sucker or piece of gum- when he told me that he needed to go he got to reach in and grab something out of the prize box. When he "did his business" he got an even bigger prize. Tuesday came and it was time to get down to business; potty, potty and MORE potty. Five minutes on, ten minutes off until there was success and then twenty minutes off, repeat. This day, literally felt like it lasted FOREVER- no lie. But, totally worth it. We read, played with stickers and made potty time a fun game. The potty timer would ding and he would say, "potty time!" and run to the bathroom, pull his underwear and pants down and well, you know. We said goodbye to diapers forever on this day. Day one was a complete success. Day two and beyond: Potty, potty and more potty. Just for my own nervousness he was in a pull-up for the first three nights (a complete waste of $8!), all of which he stayed completely dry (SO PROUD!) Self-initiation was in full force- no more timers. The exhaustion set in and my "mr. no napper" napped. He was worn completely out, bless his little baby heart, lol (momma was too). By Friday we had seen the house enough since we had been NO WHERE since Monday- needless to say we were ready to get out. Although (again) I was a little nervous to change his routine and scenery, mid day we headed out to see daddy at work. We packed up an extra change of clothes and underwear (not needed) along with the potty (needed) and headed out. He did GREAT, of course, honestly what did I expect?! He was so excited to get his award for being a potty champ- I got all the elements, made it up, printed it off and laminated it...he loved it. It's presently hanging on the fridge- he's so proud of it...and of himself, rightfully so. Six days of amazing potty training, although I don't consider us even "training" past day two really. (honestly, it's like he has been going potty for years, lol.) Yesterday, he got his big potty prize...a red bike (he has been wanting one- so we thought, whats a more perfect time!). He was so excited, he said, "this is SO cool!" I am so glad that he loves it- he deserves that and more in my opinion. In addition to his potty prizes and new bike- he got lunch out at McDonalds. He eats McDonalds quiet frequently- but not there, we usually get it to go when we do. He loves to eat at the tables in restaurants, therefore, we had a celebratory lunch for our big boy. Daddy decked out the bike with a horn and tag, while Lo over-saw (as you can see, lol)... ....and then he rode, and rode, and rode some more.

the (Momma.Ratzzi) ten spot.

1. I love movie nights with my hubby. Here as of late we have been having several. We rent or pick a movie from our ever growing collection, pop some popcorn and snuggle up for our little at home date. I look forward to these moments, or this time of the day, so much. We have had a lot of luck with really good movies recently, movies that are new or old ones that we haven’t seen yet. So far in the past week or so we have watched: Drive Angry, I am Number Four (again- we saw it in the theater), Dark City (with Keifer Sutherland. It’s an older movie- weird but good.), Primal Fear (with Richard Gere and Edward Norton (who btw, I think is a great actor)- again and older one, but good and last night we watched a movie called Stone (with Edward Norton) it’s a new release- and unfortunately it wasn’t that great, it didn’t really go anywhere for me (or the hubs). These nights are such great little “dates,” I would recommend them to anyone! We have entitled our summer- “The Summer of Movies.”

2. I would not trade ANYTHING for my night time snuggle time with my baby. We lay in the dark telling stories, his little arm wrapped around my neck giggling and playing with our shadows. He showers me with hugs and kisses right before he drifts off into the dreamers land. It’s the most precious of times and I cherish them so.
(Just look at those beautiful eye lashes, my my my. He gets them from his daddy, lucky boys.)

3. We have so much “work” stuff coming up. When I say that I don’t necessarily mean work for us to do- but it very well could develop into that. We are getting our car fixed from all the hail damage at the end of this month and they are gonna have my car for two weeks, TWO WEEKS, what in the WORLD am I gonna do? I guess we shall see, I’m sure we’re to figure something out. Also, in a couple weeks we are having someone come who finishes out basements to take a look at ours and give us an estimate. We would love to have part of it finished out to have a family room/movie room, as well as a spot for my scrapbooking, plus it would really only add more value to our home, which is a plus in itself. More than likely if and when we do close in, the hubby and I will be the ones doing it…that’s just how we roll.

4. I can’t remember if I posted about our garden at the beginning of summer or not, so if I didn’t, then…we planted a garden at the beginning of summer. It’s doing so great, with all the storms I was a little concerned, but we do in fact have some produce. The smallest little squash are forming, we have the cutest little baby cukes and our watermelons are shooting up like crazy. It’s kinda exciting watching them grow (I told you it doesn’t take much for me, lol).

5. My kid cracks me up. He is already a jokester just like his daddy and papa. He rattles off the funniest of things. This morning he woke me up with his usual whispery sweet “Good Morning” with his eyes barely open. Although, I has to be said that it doesn’t take him long at all to be geared up and ready to face the day ahead. A midst our morning bed conversation and play- out of nowhere he says, “I love you, booby momma!” I busted out laughing, that little grin crossed his face as I told him how funny and sweet he was. I think that may be the funniest thing I have heard recently…I just love him.

6. I think that it would be super fun to take ballroom dance lessons with my hubby. It’s something I have always wanted to do. I think there is something so magical, so romantic about it. He mentioned this morning that today’s daily deal on living social was three private dance lessons-teaching the waltz, the new swing and the cha-cha for $25.00. That’s a great deal, seeing as it’s like a bazillion percent off the normal pricing of like $396.00 (say what?!?). I kinda wanted to jump on it and say, “yea, lets do it!” But then I thought maybe it’s something we will do when we’re older. It seems more fitting for then, for what I imagine that time in our life to be like.

7. It may be crazy, but I’m already thinking about the kiddo’s birthday, the party more specifically. It’s only six months away and a great party takes a lot of thought and a lot of preparation. I am one for tiny details and doing things a bit different. (Really crazy confession?!? (I don’t think so) I already have a few parties for the future started planning, thinking about really- they really great ideas if I do say so myself. Maybe one day I will get paid to plan parties, how awesome that would be!). Trust me when I say that I’m not trying to rush it by no means, because when it’s here that means that my baby will be three years old and that just doesn’t seem real. I find myself on a daily basis getting choked up with momma tears just looking at him, seeing how tall he is, how much older he looks, it keeps me quiet emotional. I’m just like that; I have always been a sap- more so now than ever, since becoming a momma. What an honor to witness another life unfold, it’s the greatest gift I have ever been given.

8. I’m excited about the possibility of selling my old camera tonight. I put it on craigslist yesterday and we are meeting a couple tonight. At the beginning of the year I upgraded to a newer and better model (the Canon D60)- I love it so much, I loved my Xsi- but honestly, now that love doesn’t even compare, lol. I picked up the Xsi last night to get everything together and test it out- making double sure everything was still in great working order and I cannot believe the difference in the two. It’s SO small, my hands swallow it up- the picture quality is significantly better (It should be for the price difference, lol). Since upgrading, my Xsi has just been sitting in the bag- in the closet and it needs some love, seriously. Therefore, I decided to pass it on to a home that will love it as much as I once did. It does make me a little sad to be passing it on, because I’m sentimental- but money is sweet too, especially when it’s just sitting in the closet doing nothing for me. I almost feel bad for saying that about it, it’s been so good to me. It shall be a great love, departed.

9. I am so happy to write that I am a twenty pounds less Crystal. I am the smallest I have been in who knows how long- maybe…sixteen years old?!? I honestly have no idea, I can’t remember. What a shame to admit that, but that’s not the point. I am really happy- and continuing on, I’m not stopping here. I look back at pictures and I think to myself WTH was I thinking letting myself get like that? WTH well my hubby thinking letting me get like that? (I give him a hard time ALL THE TIME about that, bless his heart.) I was simply ridiculous, honestly. I don’t ever want to be there again, ever. I pray that I always have the strength and motivation to be healthier and smaller. I don’t want to be obsessed and overcome with it, but I do want to have a healthy balance between the two. There are times I find myself beating myself up if I feel like I have slipped up and I HATE that (with a passion), because I don’t feel like that’s a healthy lifestyle (for me). Along with strength and motivation I pray for a healthy and happy balance.

10. This summer (June-July- like as in now) one of our local theaters, on Tuesday and Wednesday morning are showing free movies, FREE!!! How awesome is that?!? and it’s not bad movies either, its really good kiddie movies, recent ones. I am really excited about not only having family dates that are free but a few one on one dates with my boy. I think it’s really cool that they are offering this to families, I think it’s a really great idea. Speaking of family dates, we have one planned in the near future, not free but a much anticipated one. Cars 2 (I guess I should say "Gitchow 2" comes out on June 24th and the kiddo is REALLY excited about going to the movies and seeing it, and I must admit so are we.

mister funny face

oh my gah, I freakin' love him.

The Sweetest Temptations.

I have spent the better of the past couple weeks with a flamin’ sweet tooth. I am not your typical “lovin’ all things chocolaty and sweet” kinda girl, I’m more of a candy lovin' kinda girl, anything chewy is my BFF. The worlds best combination is sweet and salty, hands down. So if one of those candies is combined and followed closely by the salty crispiness of a tater chip...I’m a really happy girl. But here as of late all I have been wanting is cakes and cookies, caramel apples, ice cream, I have even went as far as to think about brownies (and if you know me at all, then you know brownies are close to one of my least favorite things)- what is wrong with me?!?
I want to bake and try everything- and it's a bit of a waste when it’s only for two and we all know that baking can get a bit costly, especially when once I get a bite I’m usually finished…the hubby on the other hand would eat it all, creating a huge temptation for him. Everyday I find myself thinking what sweet thing can I have today- what can I make?!? This is a bit of a problem, although I must say that I have not given in to the everyday temptation- just the occasional one.

Last week I made a butter cake with chocolate icing (I only have one piece, then it was divided out between all the people who would eat it). A couple days later there was the amazing chocolate oatmeal cookies, they are a fave, so needless to say I did not just stop with one. They were delicious, O.M.G! Yesterday, we went out to dinner at Olive Garden, where I immediately picked up the dessert menu and drooled at the sights of the new berry sorbet and lemon cake…Of course, I didn’t get one because, well, if you’ve been to the Garden then you know that you can make a whole dessert for the price of the piece. We discussed grabbing a cone of ice cream but eventually made the decision to just go to the store and get some cones and ice cream of our choosing…Strawberry cheesecake it was and it was SO good. Ice cream, honestly?!? I don’t even care for ice cream- I am never tempted when at a parlor to get or try any, yesterday was the exception. Now today, I have spent the better part of the day moping around with a terrible headache thinking that something sweet would surely make it better, right?!? So far I have settled for a double dose of Tylenol downed by a mello yellow ZERO.

While browsing the internet I came across something that totally caught my eye. As I browsed the recipe wiping the little bit of drool that creeped out of my mouth, taste buds swooning- it was definitely a moment. The Pioneer Woman's Best Chocolate Sheet Cake. Oh.my.goodness, it looks divine, oh how tasty it would be accompanied by some dill pickle chips (a freak?!? Me?!? Hardly ;)). Go on, click it, you know you want to...see for yourself that I’m not completely losing my mind when I say that this cake could easily have been invented by the devil himself with the evilest (is that even a word) of intentions. Now just imagine biting into it shortly after that ding from the oven.

Should I?!? Oh, I am ever so tempted.

I am really starting to freak myself out here. Bless!

the case of the missing post.

So, I have no idea how it happened or where it went but a post that was published earlier today has completely vanished, I guess it just got up and walked away. Where in the world did it go?!? As far as I know it has been here most of the day- my hubby read it. Hmmm, so puzzling...Oh well, I wonder if anyone else using blogger has had such a thing happened to them... Anyway, since I have you here, reading, I thought I would at least share a picture to make it worth your while. This picture, literally makes my heart swell. It's beautiful. They're beautiful. My newest favorite, that's for sure.

(click to enlarge, if you wish)

music love.

sweetness.

Camera was in tow today

(you're completely surprised, I know! ha)

as we ventured outside

for some afternoon play-

of Lo's choice.

I was so happy when I started browsing thru them.

These are all him...no begging, no coaxing, just him being him.

I just had to share his sweetness.

That face...my, my, my.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

a SuperMOM.

I want to be a supermom.
I want to be the momma who
throws the ball around in the backyard,
sings into a wooden spoon with the music blaring,
and uses funny voices when telling stories.
I want to be the momma that dances around the room acting silly because it’s so darn fun.
I want to be the momma whose not afraid to make messes,
get my hands dirty,
be afraid to create a bit of chaos
for the sole purpose of having fun with my kiddo.
I want to say yes when he asks me to
go outside and swing,
jump on the trampoline,
race cars,
build sandcastles,
roll in the grass,
pretend play,
throw the ball back and forth for hours,
play hide and seek, because it’s his favorite.
watch his shows (even when my favorites are on).
I want to let him stay up late for that extra time together.

I want to be the momma who knows what’s important
to move on from the things that don’t matter.
I want to praise him,
encourage him,
build him up.
I want to make everyday count-
I want to make countless memories.
I want to know that the little things make a huge difference
Give millions and millions of hugs and kisses.
I want to teach him how to be a great man,
with great character.
I want to find the perfect balance-
between being a mom and friend.

When he grows up-
I want him to have the fondest memories of his childhood-
I hope that he will tell his sweet babies about his momma’s...
after school treats-
the fridge that was always covered with his best artwork-
my perfect throw (from years of practice, of course)
that he always knew how truly important and perfect he is-
and that there wasn’t a day that went by that that he didn’t hear…
I love you (at least a bazillion times).

Being a mom, a great mom, a super-mom…
is my life’s goal…
my hearts desire.