house sweet home.

If I had a house like either one of these...

I'd fill it with rooms like this...

(that alcove bed is just waiting for someone to nap in it.)

 (breakfast in bed would be overrated if this was the view from the dining table.)

 

 (wouldn't you like to be a guest in this room?)

 

 

 

 

 (sleepover heaven.)

 

 (wood burning stove = cure for winter blues)

 

(rainy days would be welcomed from this bed.)

 

 

 

 (are there horses or sandy beaches outside this window in your imagination?)

 

 (I'd live in a tree if this was the house.)

 

 

 (the. warmest. bed. ever.)

 

 

 (wall of memories.)

(that blue is perfect. ...and the chandelier? breathtaking.)

 

 (mirror mirror on the wall. you are the prettiest of them all.)

 

 (call me crazy, but I love the view of the bathtub from the bed.)

*grin*

 

([outdoor] living the good life.)

May you see the beauty in every day, out of every window, on every wall.

caramel macchiato romance.

Saturday morning was a rough one. Woke up earlier than necessary because Jack was awake and ready to go. So, in my efforts to be a thoughtful wife and good mother, I let the handsome hubby stay asleep as I sat Jack in his exersaucer with a bowl of cheerios and hopped in the shower to start getting ready for work. Sounds easy right?

{insert the scream of a restless 22 month old along with the crash of a bowl of cheerios hitting the bathroom floor *here*}

Add in a discovery that we were low on milk along with only having one car right now (a story of itself) and I was already stressed just 30 minutes after waking.

At this point hubby is up. Offers to go pick up milk while I finish getting ready for work.

Ahhhh. Thank goodness.

Upon his return he carries in a single Starbucks coffee cup. I felt excitement show across my face, only to be disappointed as I see him take a sip. "He got himself a coffee? Only himself?", I thought. Wanting to avoid any confrontation on a morning like that one already was, I figured he saw the to-go mug and tea bag I'd sat out for myself the night before. "He must've thought I just wanted tea this morning.", I convinced myself. Well nevermind brewing tea now, it's time for work. I kiss the boys and head out the door. ...just knowing I'm going straight to Starbucks on my first break. I sit down in the car, wipers on (it was a rainy day on top of all of that), seat belt on, ...wait a minute, "what the!"

this was waiting on me in the cup holder.

It's the littlest things that matter most. Guys don't get that.

(as a dear friend said)

"Just the thought of him driving with a purpose, thinking of his hunny...

swoon."

i have a confession to make.

...I don't always practice what I preach. ;) I've told numerous friends of mine who are mother's, things like "sleep when the baby sleeps" & "take time to yourself" etc. Well today, as I do most days, I let Jack climb up in our bed for a book and snuggle time to settle down before nap time. But instead of hurrying him off to his bed before he fell asleep so that I could tackle household 'chores', I read his book, covered him with his favorite blanket, tucked his 'couldn't live without it' stuffed elephant under his arm and said 'night night honey', because as we all know mama's (especially ones with newborns or mischevious toddlers running around) need their rest too. There was just one problem, my eyes wouldn't stay closed. As my little boy laid there sleeping, I stared at his precious face and couldn't pull my eyes away. I adored his long eyelashes (courtesy of yours truly), his precious button nose, and those adorable little lips the way they pout when children sleep. And I thought to myself, "shame on you Amanda". I've told mothers "sleep when the baby sleeps", knowing I never did. ...and still don't. I don't know how we do it sometimes... the sleep deprivation, the skipped meals, the errands, the housework, the worrying. But somehow, God willing, we manage. So I've had a change of heart (or advice I should say)... you mama's stare at those little angels as long as you'd like. You hold them as often as you'd like. When Jack was an infant I was always told he was going to be spoiled from me holding him "too much". Well. The rebel in me, and the mothers love I felt in my heart didn't care then. And I don't care now. These little ones grow up WAY too fast, so stare each and every day, making mental notes of all those precious features, and hold on tight each and every opportunity you get because every single solitary moment of lost sleep becomes oh so worth it at the memories you'll cling to the rest of your life. To all mothers, soon-to-be mothers, or those of you who simply have the desire to be a mother... you're doing great! Hold on to every little blessing motherhood gives us. There's NOTHING like it.

"fall"ing.

I've always been a summer girl.
I love the sunshine on my shoulders, the taste of salt on the margarita glass, discovering tan-lines after an afternoon of exploring the back yard toddler style, kickin' it at the kiddie pool, checking out my handsome hubby while he mows the grass, the smell of the grill, sweet sun-tea, my birthday, hubby's birthday, memorial day, labor day.
...and so on.

Oh, how I'll miss these loves of mine. Especially come January-ish when it starts to feel like old man winter has made himself at home, for good.

However, I can't help myself but to fall in love with fall...

football.
(go bucks!)

rainy days cozy inside.

picking out that perfect pumpkin.

candy apple indulgence.

deliciousness that warms your hands & soul.

sunday s'more days.

apple picking.

sunrises with that kind of color.

fall footwear.
(not confident I could pull off either look but love both)

toasty fires on crisp nights.

breakfast. in. bed.
(and those socks)

snuggling.

cute dress. fabulous boots. 'nuff said.

and last but certainly not least.
the most exciting part of fall (for me), is that this guy...

was born on this day...

I remember the first doctor's appointment, when she gave us our estimated due date (Nov. 12), and I immediately said, "Oh honey, that's too close to Halloween. I hope our baby isn't born on Halloween."

How naive of me.
This little "boo baby", as I affectionately refer to him as, now gives me unbeatable reason to welcome this season with an open heart, and party planning excitement beyond compare.

Sometimes life works out just right. :)

daydreaming.

bridesmaids in cowgirl boots?

love.

a bride in cowgirl boots?
(sexy) love.

this will be me.
you. just. watch.