holla!

Hi!
Just a few random thoughts on a Wednesday night.

#1. You can't really be successful at having "bangs" when you live in Texas.
I learned that pretty much 10 minutes after I cut them a while back.
That stinks.
I really like bangs.

#2. These are especially cute to me....kinda like appealing to the 8th grade me...
but cooler.
I need to buckle down and DIY myself some of these....
they are mucho money for what they are....but I love TWINE!


#3. I have a new skincare routine that I am praying will kick my acne's butt...
You know what I mean.
I think I will now refer to my skin problems as Texas-itis..
and hopefully that goes away soon.
I really don't make a cute teenager...
really.



#4. Justin and I went and got DQ Blizzards tonight,
and totally ate them in front of our kids without sharing.
Parents of the Year.
Totally.

So glad I am back!
It's questionable as to whether or not you are as excited as I am.

xoxo,
A

ummm....are you still with me??

I would love one of these in every color...
Talk about a super functional staple.
I really love everything in this shop,
the colors,
the cuts,
easy breezy California.

My San Francisco heart hurts a little bit right now.

In other news.....

We are moving today and tomorrow,
hence why I have been so absentee....

But the cool thing is that I will have so much to share coming up...

AND you can bet your bottom dollar that etsy shop will be up and running asap
(even though I have said that before....don't hate me)

Because our new rent is a little much....but we are super duper thrilled!

Ok, off to get the keys.
xoxo

cousins

I don't talk about these babies on here...hardly ever....
but they deserve a shout-out all the same.
I am so lucky to be an Auntie to 7 amazing, smart, funny, and GORGEOUS children
and I love them so much.
Now,
get ready for the terrible,
horrible,
no-good,
very bad part....

I have never met the two youngest members of our family....
and my baby sister has never met River.

This is the part of my military life that makes me so sad
and rips at my heart all the time. 
I only know Bentley Blayke and Caiden August through photos...
and as much as I documented the early part of Jax and Lani's lives,
I have missed out on most of Sunny's.
That just plain sucks.
Justin's brother's kids, Lilly and Wyatt, are kind of like mythical creatures for Paige and Riv,
as they have only been together a few times....

Our situation is never what I had imagined it would be, but we are dealing with it the best we can.
All I know is I love my cousins so much, and my life as a child would not have been the same without them.  I want this cousin relationship for my kids, and I can't wait for the day when we can ALL be together.

Love you kids!!!

The sweetest three-some.

Caiden Boy!

Sweet cousins

Miss Bentley B!

thankful

I may not know everything,
but I do know that I love the journey
and education this life is bringing me.
Growing pains are always tough, but the perspective
is worth it.
We are gaining some more perspective as we prepare to move again,
and hopefully will end up in a happy home where we can stay till we bid Texas goodbye.
It is hard, and the search will be over soon,
but I am trying to breathe through this little bump in our road,
and smile.....or at least go take some pictures!

I know that I am getting little muscles, and that my workouts
are starting to pay off.
Mission: Do-One-Pull-Up-By-Christmas looks promising.
I know that if I ever try and rush a "manicure" at home,
in less than 5 minutes, I will have at least one nail that looks like this.
And just for the record, I am seeing if I can grow my nails out.
They are ALWAYS short, super short, because they rip and break,
But I am trying something new, so let's see how long it lasts!

The "masterpieces" made by my kids.
I know I can't live without these.
Never. Gets. Old.
And even the not-so-masterpiecey day to day drawings.
They are pretty awesome to find laying around.
She loves to leave them on her Daddy's pillow, or hidden in the covers on our bed.
I know how to eat...and eat well.
Fresh Peaches.
Yes, please.
And so pretty to have out on the counter.
What would we do without access to fresh fruits and veggies??
We are so blessed.
I know that I will miss this....
Watching him sleep.
Such a precious little man.


Finding joy in the small ways, happiness in the little things this week.
Happy Back-To-School week!

remembering

Watching my favorite gal tour around Europe
is making miss my own European adventures.

I know this post is more for me than you, as I am missing my travels....
and it isn't the first time I have talked about all this,
but I wanted to share a few of our pictures....there are literally over 600,
and that was just from the second trip.
The first time we went, I shot with film....
many, many, many rolls of film,
and those are tucked away in a few albums.
(someday I will scan some in)
Enjoy.


























Do you have a destination you are dying to go to?
Is there a far-away place you dream of exploring?
Our list is still long, and we want to re-visit some of the spots from this trip
but I suppose that is what it is all about.
Here's to having dreams!!
Have a great weekend.
xo

HDOF freebie!

You know my girl Reags....
as if I can call her that.....
We just think she is the coolest....
And I think we would be friends if I were cool like her and lived in the NYC...
I have been there twice...sigh....
OK
Moving on.

She is totally awesome and giving away some much needed hair repair
after a long summer of hotness.
Go on over and enter to win.
Oh, and like her on Facebook while you are at it,
cause I know you check that thing like 5 times a day.
(It's ok, I don't judge.)
Love you gals...
Be back soon.


And go on over here to see our weekend adventure!
xo

gasp!

I am alive....
shocker!!!
We have just been bogged down with Justin's school stuff
and life in general
So, sorry I haven't been posting as much as I would love to.
Here is a little update,
some samples
some make-up
and gasp,
a LIPSTICK!



AND, because I am apparently the Queen of flashbacks
(maybe because it is 7:57am and I don't know what else to say)
here are my kids one year ago with my Mom.
Boo for babies getting bigger, and not snuggling anymore.
And missing my Mom.



And, FYI, we are growing out Riv's hair again...
seeing this photo confirms what I had been thinking...
I am missing those luscious locks of baby boy hair!
Enough of this buzz-cut nonsense till next summer!
Looking forward to a great weekend!
xo, A

Babies, Braids, and Spandex

She is something else.
She made me a Mother, and she changed my entire universe.
She has been with me all but maybe 10 days in her entire life.
She is ready for something new, and she is starting Pre-K in 3 weeks.
I am so excited for her, and this new experience!
3 hours a day for the full school year....it's going to be awesome!



She looks so much like her Daddy, it freaks me out sometimes!


We have been playing beauty parlor a lot around here,
thanks in part to the amazing Reagan
and today we worked up a 3/4 Halo braid.
(Here's the link to the full Halo)
Paige loved it!
Riv said she looked just like a Princess....aw, sweet Riv!





And, just to throw in something "Fashion-y"
I wanted to share with you my normal workout attire.
These pieces were purchased from the oh-so-fabulous Wal-Mart
and cost about $10 each.
Thanks Lululemon....love your stuff, but don't love the
astronomical price tag for something I need 5 of....$86 for running capris, um no.
Here is my philosophy...
if you don't have things you are comfortable in
AND
feel attractive in to work out,
it is less likely that you will be pumped to go to the gym.
SO, since I don't have mega-bucks to get the designer goods
I go the Wal-Mart/Target route, and I think I look just as good.
No frump, No Granny get-up...
just me and my black stretchies getting my sweat on!
(My hobbit shoes are amazing by-the-way...not available at Wal-Mart, but I try!)



Oh, and if you want to see our weekend fun...
come on over!
xo