The Suits Sisters

One (of the three) perks of moving to Florida, is the TRASH. Yes, trash. People will place interesting  trash  stuff by their trashcan which makes driving around a lot of fun. That Toyota Camry that breaks at every object beside a trashcan? That's me. Not in seven hundred years did I think that I would write the above paragraph. Close to twenty years ago ( t-w-e-n-t-y let that sink in...) you would've found me DYING of humiliation and shame as I scooted further and further down in my seat of our wood paneled station wagon while my Mom perused trash piles in front of houses. I didn't know (or care) at the time, but she found some pretty nice things including furniture pieces that my Dad has "hauled all over the United States" (his words, paraphrased, from this morning on the phone). They told me it would happen. I've turned into my mother . The big difference is that I'll only stop if I know that I can grab it and go, mostly going unseen. My Ma, on th...

This is what "I had my hair in a top knot" looks like This is what the corner of the bathroom looks like when your overhead light breaks and you still  haven't called the rental maintenance worker This is what a potty break in a public place looks like This is what marital long suffering looks like (In a bathroom lit by a shade-less lamp)  And this is what copying your aunt looks like

Weekends are for... Staying late at the pool  and for long {15 minute} waits in the car anticipating the "hot & ready" pizza  {that will one day be the death of us}   Weekends are for invitations to a family dinner & meeting new people {not pictured} And for falling asleep in front of the TV. {If you're looking for Kent in 60 years, he's the guy asleep in the Nursing Home Lobby, in front of the TV} Weekends are for buying your first pair of sneakers and Moms who keep their emotions in check   Weekends are for getting your bake on! {Muffins for the Youth Parent Meeting} And weekends are for wearing a new dress that's been hanging in your closet since the early days {but not for smiling or looking at the camera}

If I invited you over for a coffee date, I'd be embarrassed and kicking myself that the last one was in April . But then I'd remind myself that I'm an introvert and inviting anyone over twice is a success. This time you would ring the doorbell and ten seconds later a spunky-turned-shy seventeen month old would round the corner from the living room and stand there staring at you. Inside she'd probably be surprised that you weren't her "DA-DA". I'd invite you in and tell Caris to, "Say hi to our new friend!". She'd continue to stare and I'd reassure us all that "She'll warm up eventually." I'd offer for you to sit on the sofa, the recliner and EVEN THE FLOOR because I would have just mopped it. I'd offer you tea, coffee, orange juice and a random snack...like hummus and Triscuits. There would've been no last minute baking around my house. By this time Caris would be running around with toys and balls and ra...

Caris is getting ready for February! 

She understands the idea of play food And the eight year old in me REJOICES Let the fun begin  continue! 

Dear Readers, Many of you have asked about my well being (Just kidding, but it makes me feel better to write that) In June I went to the beach with the rest of the family and we were surprised when everyone made comments about my weight. And not the lack of it. I had hurt feelings to say the least, but what they didn't know was that I had been essentially homeless for the last few months. I was kicked out of the house after tearing apart a bag full of dirty diapers (I seriously tried to resist them) Then my Mom and Dad said life got busy, yata yata, and there I was, sleeping in the hot garage. This caused some depression and weight gain. After the beach, my Mom felt guilty and treated me to a new collar, an updated tag, better shampoo that cost more than $3 and wasn't from Walmart AND a new ball (score) After a thorough bath, I was let back in! I couldn't believe my good fortune. Of course this all came with a sudden reduction of food, but the pros far outweighed t...

Yesterday I tried to feed CC (Cranky Caris) some lunch but she didn't want any. I left her in the highchair to wait it out until her Dad came home (we get home 3 hours earlier than him...but don't worry, she wasn't sitting there for 3 hours) She didn't quite make it. {Poor future pastor's kid} And a Happy 4th Birthday goes out to our 4 legged family member, Patch. In years past, he would've gotten a bone, a candle and a pathetic rendition of "Happy Birthday". This year he's getting a Birthday Bowl made up of 1 side of burned-to-a-crisp cheese sandwich, bread crust, 1  squishy grape and torn up pieces of a fig newton. Nothing says Happy Birthday like a birthday bowl! 

This was Caris' Bethany Hamilton  sleeping pose while on vacation Starting my day with these guys is a rare treat. They are happy and healthy.  Kent served me dessert last night (bonus husband points!) ...but it came in this mug (bonus husband points taken away)  A recent trip to the library. We colored, but it looked a lot like tasting the crayons, taking them all out of the bucket and putting them back in.  For the past few mortgage payments on our house, I've used up the last of the New Year's stamps (from a few years ago) and each time I hope we can really celebrate by SELLING OUR HOUSE.

Someone  has learned  how to  CLIMB!!

last august I'm not good with goals, lists, aspirations or long term commitments. New Years Resolutions? Bucket Lists? They've been written and then shoved into the depths of my nightstand drawer. There are 3 things that I've committed to and stuck with... 1. College   Although Calculus almost did me in  The next two are big because they are like...NEVER ENDING 2. Marriage 3. Parenthood Aside from these 3 commitments, I've managed to keep pretty low expectations for myself ('Atta girl). And this month is no different, although I AM writing down a few goals and you ARE accepting the challenge of being my accounta-billa-buddy (Don't worry, we don't have to check in or talk about any of this) A bunch of bloggers do monthly goals, but I'll cite The Tiny Twig  who calls them Goals with Grace . Which means, if  when you fail, you give yourself grace and only eat one tastykake instead of three.  August Goals 1. Go for walks "Ear...

As much fun as it was to see our families, by the end of both trips I was ready to check myself into the Loony Bin for a couple of days.  I'm not very good with math, but I know that the answer to almost any parent/child equation is SLEEP. No sleep? Life...?  Not enough sleep? Life is bad Enough sleep? Life is good Extra sleep? LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL  I can't complain too much about my traveling sidekick. As she's gotten older, she'll scream occasionally in the car, but we don't experience hours on end of screaming and gnashing of (her 4) teeth.  Once we reach our destination, it all goes downhill. Quickly. From the start of vacation, she would average 10 or less hours a night and for a girl who always clocks in at 12+ hours, this was a big deal over time.  Many, many meltdowns A tiny pack-n-play (and this sleeping position) won't getcha' 12 hours of sleep  Even naps weren't enough to hold her together (How cute are these...