Embracing Life

http://darkfaeriecreations.blogspot.com/p/my-illustrations.html I grew up in a world of Princesses waiting for their Prince Charmings to save them. A land of mystery and make-believe. I didn't see these princesses on tv (as my kids do today), but rather through words.  I devoured books like chocolate, constantly reading (and re-reading) a never-ending supply of books from home and the local library.  No one told me I couldn't, no where was it stated that in my land of make-believe, with princesses and horses and murder and secret clocks, my life would be outwardly affected.  You know, the way it is today.  As quickly as Disney creates a new princess movie, the media and people around me complain about how we need to stop the princess syndrome, we need to teach our little girls independence, we need to show them that it's not necessary to wait for Prince Charming to ride up on a white horse and slay that dragon. Now I hear about how inappropriate Barbies are be...

My sister invited Keira and I to head into Chicago to see the Marshall Field Macy's Christmas displays and visit the American Girl Doll Store. The thing is... Keira didn't have her AG doll yet.  Santa wasn't bringing Saige until December 25.  So Mommy called in a favor, and St. Nick dropped her off on December 6! The boys' gift and Keira's doll Yesterday, my sister, niece, Keira, and I drove into the city.  I hate driving in Chicago. But we had a blast! It started snowing right about the time we got there, and the snowy roads made for a loooonnnngggg drive home, but we girls had a fantastic time! Lexi, Julie, Keira and Saige Stopped for a quick snack After lunch at Macy's on State Street The great tree in the Walnut Room Walking back to the car Keira picked up a couple of goodies at the AG store, and Mommy bought herself a new purse as an early birthday present at Macy's.... All in all, it was a wonderful day!!!

Last Friday, I did something I never thought I'd ever do. I left my family and boarded a plane, bound for the east coast to meet people I had never met before.  They weren't strangers, but before this, we had never spoken in person.  7-ish years ago, we met through Babycenter's birth boards when we were pregnant/caring for infants.  We moved eventually from BBC over to Facebook, where we continued to share our lives with each other.  Now our '06 babies are no longer babies, but kindergarteners and 1st graders.   Yes, traveling halfway across the U.S. was a little scary to not know what they would think of me when they 'met' me or wondering just how comfortable it might be when you have 6 women in one hotel room (we had two rooms, but we spent most of the time chit-chatting in one).  But once I met them, it wasn't weird at all.   But here is the thing. Our entire weekend revolved around walking, eating, laughing, and talking. It was wonder...

Some people do not understand how a book can make me happy.  (Namely, my husband. Although for the record,  I did ignore him on my first morning home so that I could finish the book. But still...) Anyway, I waited patiently for book 10 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series to be released. It just so happened that it was set to be delivered to my kindle while I was in Vegas for a conference. The magic of my iPhone continues to surprise me (mainly because I never bothered reading the manual that came with it). I had started reading the book on my kindle, yet later that day had some time in between sessions. I checked the kindle app on my phone, and it automatically synced to my last location read on my kindle.  It's magic, I tell you. The next day, I had time before my flight left:  I read on the flight.  And the next morning after the kids went to school (much to the chagrin of my husband). The book was all I could hope for and more. There is something ...

One of the things that has gone by the wayside after having kids is something that I didn't even realize I missed.  I used to make beaded jewelry.  In fact, I have a necklace that I made back in freshman or sophomore year of high school, so I've been doing it since 1995. Wow, that makes me feel old. A co-worker asked me to make her a bracelet, similiar to one I made her back in 2004.  When we went to New Orleans on our honeymoon, I visited a few shops and brought back a ton of beads.  This co-worker had a friend pick her up some new beads and asked me to string them for her.  As I pulled all my beading stuff out of the crawl space, I started going through what I had.  I have a ton of beads.  Like hundreds of them, sitting in plastic containers, with no place to go. So, in the past two days, I have made 3 pieces.  For myself, of course, but I am my own best customer. ;) I'm a stickler for using the real thing, but I do admit, the bracelet on...

I'm playing along with Leigh today: Now that my life is pretty much ran by being a mom, there are things that I miss.  I miss painting my nails.  I miss quiet, sunny peaceful mornings at home, savoring the silence.  I miss using my fun purses (I used to switch out my cute purses almost daily to match my outfits (or those painted nails) mainly because I could. Today I was able to get a little of that back.  The twins went to daycare at 6 a.m. with Keith.  MIL came to get Connor a little early and they headed back to her house to wait for the cable guy.  I had 15 minutes to be totally alone in my house.  This is not something that usually happens.  In fact, it so rarely happens that I usually need a couple of minutes just to absorb the fact that the house is so quiet.  15 minutes: Painted nails - check Sitting in the quiet house, listening to the birds chirp outside - check Cute pink purse (to match my nails) - check And for ...

I admit, I am a homebody.  Even more now that I have twins and it takes so much effing effort to get ready to leave the house.  Heck, it takes so much effort to just get 3 kids ready to go outside to play in the sprinkler; leaving the house is a feat in itself! Last night was the monthly MOTS meeting through my local twins club.  As usual, it was held in a location 3 cities away (we have a large club that spans like 9 cities).  Most months, I do not go.  Sometimes it is because I work late, other times it's just because after working all day, coming home, dealing with the kids, house, dinner, husband, prep for the next day - the effort to actually get ready to leave, drive 45 minutes in rush-hour traffic is too overwhelming.  Drive 45 minutes to have a drink and dinner or wait until the kids go to bed, put on comfy clothes, sit on couch, have a drink and watch True Blood... hmmmmm, decisions, decisions... 5 p.m. - Mommy gets home from work with...