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

eat pray lovin'

Thought for the day...

"There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under my jurisdiction. There are certain lottery tickets I can buy, thereby increasing my odds of finding contentment. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I eat and read and study. I can choose how I'm going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life- whether I will see them as curses or opportunities (and on the occasions when I can't rise to the most optimistic viewpoint, because I'm feeling too damn sorry for myself, I can choose to keep trying to change my outlook). I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts."

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love

And if you didn't know already, this book changed my life.
I swear there are certain passages that were written just for me.
Well, I know that isn't true, but when I read it....it felt that way.
It is a gem of a book.
And what more do you need in life....

to eat
to pray
to love

Yep, that pretty much covers it.

A few girlfriends of mine are going through some rough things right now.
I hope they know I love them, and think the world of them.

On a brighter note,
Texas is getting rained on right now.
Much needed rain.
So that is great.

Happy Tuesday
xoxo

YOU are in control!

Sorry this is sooooo
LONG...and long,
but I had to get it all in.
I love getting questions,
and I take responding to them
very seriously!
xo

Have a great weekend, and I will see you on the flip-side.
~Ariel

Love me some Eleanor

A great quote for the day
from a great site that I love.



If you haven't visited
The Bright Side Project
you are missing out.

They give away amazing things...
and all you have to do is answer
one question!
EASY.

Start following,
and winning.
(I have been a winner once before...perfume...remember!)
And weekly wisdom too...
that is a win/win!

Talk to you soon.
xo

Hey.

Check out the original hair post here.
Email me at aalatimer@yahoo.com if you have any ideas to contribute!
I would love to hear what you have to say.

xoxo

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Making this Friday for the Hubby!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail:

--about 2lbs. cooked shrimp (bay, or 41-50 ct.)

--1/2 to 3/4 jar cocktail sauce (regular or spicy) & about 1/2 cup salsa

--handful of chopped cilantro

--1/2 chopped bell pepper, jalapeno, & red onion

--1 T. or so of chopped garlic

--1 chopped tomato, mango, and avocado

--1/2 tube of spicy red chile (in produce section) little tubes of herbs

--top with garlic salt and pepper


Seriously so delicious!
Grab these ingredients and some chips...and get to it!
Perfect for the summer.

Recipe from my sweet Brother-In-Law Zac Wilkins.
Thanks Z!

(image found here)