Lovin' It

 I have a lot on my list of things I'm loving today so I'll dive right in...

• First and foremost, our little boy will be here Thursday for the Labor Day weekend!!!  I don't think I need to go into detail as to how excited Drew and I are!  We've gone grocery shopping and picked up all of his favorite foods and stocked up on chocolate milk.  Put his favorite sheets on his bed.  Drug out all of his bathtub toys.  We love getting ready for his trips home, it's sort of like getting ready for Christmas morning.  We're just giddy and we can barely stand it! :)

• LSU FOOTBALL!!!  After all the drama over the last few weeks surrounding JJ, I'm so ready to see our guys pound it out on the field this weekend against the Ducks.  I know I guys have had a lot on their minds and I hope they can direct all of their frustrations into winning on Saturday in Dallas!  On a side note LSU fans really are the best around, read all about it here.   

• I scream, you scream, we all scream for New Orleans ice cream!  Thanks to Matt and Britt I recently discovered New Orleans Ice Cream Co.  I recommend the Vanilla Bean and the Cheesecake...ahhhh I die.

Next I have a few movies and TV shows I'm loving:

• Hunger Games movie!  The trailer premiered on the VMAs last night, oh my gosh I'm so excited!  The books were phenomenal and I know the movies won't be as good, but I can't wait to see it on the big screen.

• The Temple Grandin HBO movie.  This is a fabulous movie about perseverance and overcoming the obstacles life has put before you.  Temple is an amazing autistic woman, who changed the livestock industry.  She became a doctor of animal science and is a professor at Colorado State University.  Her story is definitely one you should check out.

•  Lifetime's series Against the Wall.  The main character is a IA detective with three brothers who are cops, a mom who wants to open her own bakery, and she has no time for a relationship...which of course means she's in complicated "relationships" with quite a few cute guys. :)  It's good, mindless TV.

• Project Runway.  The Klum of Doom and the contestants are never a disappointment.  I am loving Anya Ayoung-Chee's designs.  Plus her hair cut is amazing...amazingly ballsy that is.  But she rocks it and I like that about her.  

• And finally a two of my favorite guilty pleasures:  True Blood and Jersey Shore...Okay so I only watch True Blood because I loved the Sookie Stackhouse novels and I must admit it has gotten pretty dumb, but now I'm vested and DVR let's me watch it when nothing else is on.  And let's face it Jersey Shore is like a train wreck...you just can't help looking at it. 

Miss You Monday

I miss my mornings with you.

On weekdays when I leave for work you are still fast asleep and you don't even know you are a big part of my morning routine.  Every morning before I leave I tip-toe into your room and I wonder what you may be dreaming about, I rub your little jaws if you're gritting your teeth until you stop (this is what your Daddy does to me when I wake him up grinding my teeth), I kiss your little cheek, tuck your covers in tight, and say a little prayer that you have a terrific day.  When your gone I still say a prayer for you every morning and while I know God hears every word, it means so much more to me when I can hear your peaceful, sleepy breathing as I pray.

On weekends your Daddy lets me wake you up.  He knows how much I love to be the first person you see as you leave dreamland.  I rub your back and tell you it's another fabulous morning at our house simply because you are here.  Sometimes I kiss your face until you finally open your baby-blue eyes.  You grin that sleepy, happy grin that reminds me so much of your Dad, you wrap your arms arounds my neck, and say "Good morning."  Sometimes you tell me about your dreams, sometimes we don't talk at all...at least not until we've had our coffee milk, which you have every morning just like I did growing up.  Some mornings when you don't feel like being a morning person, I bring your coffee milk to you, despite your Daddy shaking his head with that "you're spoiling him" look.  (Like he has any room to talk!)  We sip our coffee and plan our day, we watch cartoons, and sometimes hope the plans don't catch up with us.  Our mornings together are so precious to me and I miss them so much.

I miss you my little Day dreamer.

Spice Up Your Tuesday...

with a little salsa!

Drew and I share love for lots of things, and one of those things is salsa!  We planted our first garden this year with all of the ingredients for...you guessed it SALSA.  It's so much more fun to make when you can walk into your back yard and gather all of your ingredients, it just can't get much fresher than that.  If you don't have a garden of your own I recommend supporting your local farmers market or fruit stand for fresh produce. 

That said, I love corn and bean salsa too!  No we didn't plant corn this year but my sister has an awesome recipe and I thought I would share.  This salsa is bright and refreshing, I also recommend making it the night before you plan on eating it to allow the ingredients to marinate together.  Enjoy!

From the kitchen of Paula Gould:

1 can of black bean, rinsed
1 can of Shoepeg corn
2 1/2 TBS of olive oil
2 TBS of fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp of cumin
2-3 green onions chopped
3 chopped Roma tomatoes
1-2 jalapenos, no seeds 
1 clove garlic minced
cilantro to taste, this is one of my favorite herbs and easy to grow!
salt to taste

Miss You Mondays

I miss your masterpieces.

Your artwork means so much more to us than the art work we can buy at a store or gallery.  The meaning you give each stroke of a crayon, a maker, a pen, or a pencil is truly priceless.  It cheers my heart on the grayest of days, I walk into our office and see your handwriting and your drawings.  And I feel a little closer to you in my heart.  There your feelings are right there on paper, your dreams, your imagination's wildest visions, for us to enjoy even when you're miles away.  Who knew a piece of paper could be transformed into so much...all thanks to you.

I miss you my little Picasso. 

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ~Pablo Picasso

Lovin' It

• My Mama is here!  Oh my goodness, I was so excited when my Mama pulled into my driveway Friday afternoon!  There's just nothing like your own mother's hugs...and cooking!!  We cooked dinner for her Friday night, fried shrimp and oysters.  Saturday, was a girls day of brunch at Mason's Grill, shopping, then honey mustard chicken wraps for dinner.  Sunday...oh man...a whole smoked ham, chicken & dumplin's, homemade focaccia bread, and blueberry yogurt pie!  MMM-mmm-MMM!  My mom needs her own cooking show, seriously.

The Red Headed Paula Dean :)

• My kitchen.  As my Mom and I cooked today I fell more in love with my kitchen.  It has the perfect ergonomic/working triangle layout.  Three people can each cook a dish at the same time with no problamo!  

 

• My husband's spending sprees.  Last week I came home to two new purchases made by my husband:

 

 

As I tried on my new running shoes while Drew was setting up our iPad, I was trying to figure out what I had done to deserve such awesome sussies.  Then my amazing husband says, "Now the ipad is for work."  "Wait what?" I said. "You mean I can't blog, facebook, pin on Pinterest, play Angry Birds, or shop on Rue La La all day everyday from MY ipad?!"  "Nope, I bought it for work," says my husband.  So then I realized that my shoes were the "consolation" purchase of sorts.  Ew...he's too smart for his own good!  (But I love my shoes and my terrible knees love them even more! Plus I downloaded the Rue La La app and Angry Birds when he wasn't looking.) ;)-

 

• My husband's hard work.  Saturday I took my Mom, sister, and niece to see the 7,300 square-foot(!) house Drew is building at the Country Club.  

I know right?! What a view from across the greens, this house sits on the ninth hole. (sigh)

Okay, okay I guess he can have the iPad for work...

• Laughing out loud.  While pinning I'll see something that just makes me crack up laughing and Drew can't stand not to know what I'm laughing about, so he get's sucked into Pinterest and we end up with our heads together searching various topics of interests.

LOL!

• My back porch frogs.  They live behind our porch stereo speakers, in the paper towels, and they love clinging to our back door.  They announce the coming afternoon showers with they're croaking, they come out to see what we're up to, and they eat tons of pesky mosquitoes. 

 

It has been an amazing weekend and of course it's gone by too quickly once again, but I hope you all are ready for the work week. Only five more days until the weekend begins again! :) 

Miss You Mondays

I miss watching you love on your Daddy. 

I miss this scene for a few reasons.  First, because of your Daddy's smile.  His smile becomes brighter and wider when you are in the same room with him and I know the smile on his face is a reflection of what is going on in his heart when he plays, laughs, and holds you in his arms.  Our family's situation may not be perfect but your Daddy and I take so little for granted when it comes to our time with you.  He takes you to work with him just so he can spend that extra time with you, no matter what he may have going on.  He doesn't like not being able to tuck you in at night when you're here so you rarely stay anywhere overnight.  When you're in his arms and he says those three little words I can hear the significance he gives every syllable.  I don't think your Daddy's heart was whole until the day you were born.  His "I love yous" mean so much more than most and when you two are together, I can see and feel him hoping that you know that all the way to your core. 

Secondly, because every time I see you and your Daddy together I fall in love with the both of you all over again.  I thought eventually, the lump I get in my throat when I see you two sharing those special moments, would go away with time, but they haven't yet and I hope they never do.  I am thankful for every lump, every special moment, the depth of love you have given not only your Dad but me...I am so very thankful for you and that you are your Daddy's son.

I miss you a bushel and a peck. 

t.i.l.t

We are a household divided when it comes to two very important things and when it comes to these two very important things Drew and I are completely unable & unwilling to compromise.  We have tried and tried to convince the other that our way is the best way, but each other's attempts fall on deaf ears and we turn up our noses at each other and agree to disagree about:  Toothpaste & Toilet Paper

So today I am loving my brands of toilet paper and toothpaste, Charmin and Colgate.

 (In case you're wondering Drew's favs are Angel Soft and Crest Vivid White.)

Next, I am loving two items that when combined make my taste buds pull up their beach chairs, stick their taste buddy toes in the sand, and say "Aaahhh."

Crystal Light Mojito Mocktail

Fresh Mint

 The perrrrfect Mojito!

(Feel free to add rum!)

Thirdly, I am loving a pre-excercise drink that the hubs started making for me.  The supplement that gives you that extra get-up-and-go is USP Lab's Jack3d

Pretty much ran 1.5 miles, then worked out with my trainer, then mulched my flower beds, then went for a bike ride.  Maybe "get-up-and-go" is an understatement?  Anyway, I love it and it comes in lots of flavors.

I'm also loving a non-uv tan specifically the Mystic Tan system.  Wrinkly, over-exposed skin is scary and skin cancer is even scarier.  But just because you don't want your skin to look like leather at the age of 30 doesn't mean you have to be pasty.  I've tried having an actual person airbrush my tan: a) It's slightly akward b) I streaked really bad.  But with the Mystic Tan system (at Planet Beach) I haven't had any problems with streaking or turning Jersey Shore orange.  Yep, I'm loving it.

Finally, I'm loving my life in general.  I don't want for much, I have everything I need, I pretty much do exactly what I want, I love my job, very few obligations outside of work, it's pretty much perfect.  God is indeed pretty awesome!  Yes, life is good, even more so when I'll be relaxing seaside this weekend.

Feeling Froggy Fotos

A few photos from a very productive, yet relaxing weekend. :)

 The Prince that lives on our porch

 Take-Home Sushi Night

A Little Landscaping Make-Over

 Beautiful Coleus 

Mint and Chocolate Mint Planter

Miss You Mondays

I miss our story time together.  I miss trying to convince you to read the book I picked out, even though I know you'll never give in!  So we end up reading both of our books, that is until Skippyjon came along.  I miss those the most, they are so much fun to read.  I miss you laughing out loud at my silly Spanish accent and how you always know just when to clap along.  I should have known that any story about a Siamese cat who thinks he's a Chihuahua would have been right up your alley!  I think Skippyjon's imagination might be as grand as yours. :)  I miss you, my little book worm.

Andrew and I would like to recommend a few of our favorite reads to you and your little book worms.

• Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner (Our favorite is Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones)
• Under the Sea by Anna Milbourne & Cathy Shimmen
• How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long & David Shannon
• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
• Hey, Al by Arthur Yorinks & Richard Egielski
• The Story of Ferdinand by Muro Leaf
• Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
• There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly by Pam Adams
• Boat Ride with Lillian Two Blossom by Patricia Polacco
• The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

"TV.  If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six.  Open your child's imagination.  Open a book."  ~Author Unknown

Lovin' It

iHeart Radio!  I found the rock station I fell in love with, while in Denver, on iHeart Radio so now I can jam out anytime I want to my favorite alternative tunes!

Heinz Dip & Squeeze!  Something else I discovered while in Denver, these awesome to-go ketchup packs at Culver's.  No mess, easy to eat your fries with ketchup while driving...love them!

Virgo Boutique!  This is my favorite boutique as of late.  Check them out on facebook!

LOHS Class of 2001 Reunion!  My class had their 10 year reunion this past weekend.  10 years holy moly where does the time go?!  We had a great time and much to my surprise, my classmates haven't changed a bit.  We laughed, we drank, we ate, we caught up with each others lives.  It was a great time!

Jolly Jingles!  I'll be headed to Jolly Jingles Market with my BFF, Britt and my SIL, Erin Saturday.  I can't wait to spend some time with the girls and do some shopping.  I don't know what it is about Christmas events during the summer but I love them!

Working Out!  When Andrew first got home for the summer I broke my "work out all year" vow to myself so that when I got home from work I was all his...but now I'm back at it and I must say, I missed the torture.  I am so freakin' sore, all thanks to my trainer Danielle!  I missed her, I missed putting my day's stress and frustrations into my work out, and I missed the endorphins!  I'll keep you posted with my progress. :)  If you're looking to get fit, check her out at New Physiques. 

Miss You Mondays

It's been almost a week since you went back to TN and "I miss you." just doesn't quite fit what I feel, when I come home and don't hear, "Do-Dah's home Daddy!  We missed you today, what did you do at work?!"  So this Monday that is what I am missing...

I miss plopping down on the couch and you crawling into my lap, squishing and smashing parts of me in the process, knotting a piece of my hair and sharing our day with each other.  You starting out telling me exactly how many places you and Daddy went to and what you did at each, with your own personal six year old point of view, which makes even the most mundane tasks exciting and hilarious.  Your Dad is so lucky to have you tag along for his day!  I miss you asking, "What chemicals did you burn up today?" reducing science to the simplest terms.  I miss you dragging me to your room to see exactly how many chores you had completed for the day.  I miss the importance you give to the everyday things I do...I miss you like crazy Pumpkin.