For several months now, I have been searching for a good deal on Le Creuset cookware. I knew it was expensive and had hoped to find some on sale at TJ Maxx or something. Well, one French oven at TJ Maxx prices was still $175. Eek. So I sort of thought maybe it just wouldn't happen for quite some time. Then I was...Read More

I feel lucky to reach the ripe old age of 32 and never have been called for jury duty. Prior to this year, that is. Early this year I received a letter notifying me that my turn had come. I was being put on notice that I would be on call for the federal court for the month of March. Problem was, we...Read More

August's smile is so big his face looks like it's gonna crack open!These are the men I love most. ...Read More

While Brooklyn sleeps, August and I get to hang out. It's always a good time. I never know what he'll do, so sometimes I just sit back and watch.Yesterday it was take Barbie for a little stroll.He was quite pleased with himself! ...Read More

Last Saturday, we took advantage of a gorgeous sunny day to go to our very first Pumpkin Patch. I was so glad Kyle was around to go with me because it was not the sort of outing I think I could have handled on my own. The place was packed with people, cars, strollers, wagons hauling pumpkins, trailers hauling people back and forth...Read More

I really don't know what to think at this point. Since receiving the unexpected news last Wednesday that my car had major problems, we've been in limbo. Kyle's car went into the shop immediately after to get its maintenance (and timing belt changed), so that is another really big check.Regarding the choices we had to make about my car, we just sort of...Read More

Have you ever seen Gosford Park? Well, one of the main characters is played by Maggie Smith, who also plays Professor McGonagall on Harry Potter. Well, she cracks me up in Gosford Park because she loves to eat and every time she sits down to her food, she claps her hands together and says, "Oh, Yummy, yummy, yummy!" Makes me laugh every time....Read More

This picture is very representative of Brooklyn. She loves to look at books. And she loves to wear skirts and dresses. And shoes. And her little puppy is always right beside her. Such a sweet thing. ...Read More

You ever have a day in your life when you're just going along minding your own business and then...WHAM...out of the blue you get just knocked off your feet by something? Almost like you're playing baseball, sitting in the dugout waiting for your turn at bat and suddenly the pitcher zings the ball right at you where you're not paying the slightest bit...Read More

The handiwork of my darling.Drinking hot tea like her Mama.Aahh...that's the life. ...Read More

What a load of hair! About time to remove the mullet.Oh yeah, totally licking the window.Get low on the "Mou-mou"Up we come...Ta-Da!Squealing in delight...and what is the deal with the finger in the mouth???Mommy - dog-dog!!!That soup was finger-lickin good.And my latest and greatest favorite....Hm...really want to hear this thing hit the floor...It's coming, Mom! Get ready!!!"Uh-Ohhhhhhhh"(the expression you see accompanies the "OHHHHH"...Read More

Names, names, everywhere names. Never thought I'd be Little Miss Monogramming, but I have learned that when it comes to making it home with YOUR stuff, you gotta do what you gotta do. And I have made friends with a lovely lady named Judy who runs AJ Monogramming and whose shop is within walking distance of my house! Actually, my mom made friends...Read More

It's been awhile since I've added anything decor-wise to the house. And I found a few little items at a nearby shop. Paid more than I meant to, but nonetheless. Here they are. ...Read More

Tucked up cozy to watch a movie together. What a lovely sight. ...Read More

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Brooklyn kept Kyle company last week during the Bethany Christian Services annual golf-tournament fundraiser. She had a ball, literally. She got to practice her putt. Er...or putt for the first time....It was a very drizzly fall day, and being the social butterfly that she is, she was IN her element. ...Read More

Tonite my family celebrated a birthday dinner for Zach at the Butcher Shop - a long-standing favorite of my family. We were seated at our usual really long table and once our orders were placed, commenced our usual chatter and buzz. There is never a shortage of things to discuss, particularly with Anna's baby due in about 4 weeks and Lauren & Josh's...Read More

One interesting thing about parenting is that new things crop up every now and then that stump you. Such as this: on the days when Brooklyn does not actually sleep during her afternoon nap, she goes down beautifully at bedtime. She falls asleep in no time - with no begging for me or Kyle to come sleep in her bed with her. However....Read More

Have not had much time to share life's little stories as of late. Time slips away with the little things of the day: waking up, breakfast, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, calling Terminix about more bugs, doing my Bible study and have a quiet time, putting the kids down for naps, holding and loving my kiddos, making lunch, making dinner, cleaning more house, working out,...Read More

I love reading things like this about people, although I doubt people enjoy reading my own, for some reason. Filling these out is kind of an indulgence. A chance to feel like people find you as interesting as you find yourself! But hey, that's the privilege of blogging, right? Yet another one!I am doing this in response to my dearest friend, Anne -...Read More

I remember well the day when Lauren called me and said, "How many pregnancy tests do you have to take to know you're pregnant? Cause I think I am." I remember laughing and saying, "Well, just one. But I always do several to be sure."Sawyer LainNow, 39 weeks later, it is my delight to introduce to everyone my new nephew, Sawyer Lain Dennis....Read More