this is what is staring me in the face every time i walk into my kitchen.

is it ok that each moment i attempt to scurry by the pan, i snag a little sliver? many, many teeny tiny pieces couldn't possibly add up to one enormously large serving, right?

mmmmm... chocolate... pecans... melted marshmallows... gooey goodness!

here's the recipe. don't tell me i didn't warn you!

power of a moment

What am I gonna be when I grow up?
How am I gonna make my mark in history?
And what are they gonna write about me when I'm gone?
These are the questions that shape the way I think about what matters
Well I have no guarantee of my next heartbeat
My world's too big to make a name for myself
And what if no one wants to read about me when I'm gone?
It seems to me that
Right now's the only moment that matters

You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas of my head and
Come write Your wisdom on my heart
Teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment
The power of a moment

In Your kingdom where the least is greatest
The weak are given strength and fools confound the wise
And forever brushed up against a moment's time
leaving impressions and drawing me into what really matters

You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas of my head and
Come write Your wisdom on my heart
Teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment
The power of a moment

I get so distracted by my bigger schemes
Show me the importance of the simple things
Like a word, a seed, a thorn, a nail and a cup of cold water

You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas of my head and
Come write Your wisdom on my heart
Teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment
The power of a moment

chris rice

traditions

so, i may be cheesy but i happen to love traditions within the family sector. i really do. and the annual family trip to the lake is no exception. my little family unit of 5 with a fabulous aunt and uncle and a wonderful nana and papa... staying at a great little cabin with all the amenities... enjoying the hot weather... eating well... it can't be beat. we go to clear lake every august long weekend and we always have a fun time. here are just a few snapshots from this past weekend.

at some point during the weekend, we always take the girls to throw stones into the lake.

they absolutely LOVE it!

just the five of us... check out little K's face?! priceless!

big K and me!!! i love this little girl to bits and pieces!!

another tradition... eating ice cream, every darn evening!

this is baby H's first taste of real ice cream! mmmmm! she LOVED it!!

mmmmm... shrimp boil. like i said, we eat VERY well out there!!!

running

running, running... running is an interesting thing. i've had conversations with my friend for a while about what constitutes a 'runner'. so, what does? i guess it's different for every person. my opinion used to be (key word being USED) that a runner was someone who was kinda hard core. you know... runs like 10 miles a day, for fun. or maybe it was just someone who ran consistently. like 5 times a week every week, without fail. did i ever consider myself a runner? i've run off and on for the past 8-9 years. taking 6 month breaks here and there. maybe even more b/c i never ran when i was pregnant. too paranoid, although i do know that it is perfectly safe. i will be honest when i say that i've never loved running. i always heard of people saying, "oh i NEED to go for a run!" or "oh, running is so therapeutic for me." i didn't understand. maybe b/c i had the wrong outlook. i don't know. (yes, i'm rambling here... but i'm good at it, don't stop me) a few weeks ago something changed in me. this is not something i'm telling everyone. certainly not. but here i am putting it up on cyberspace. i guess it's kinda safe b/c really? who honestly reads this? ha ha! it's just me putting my thoughts to paper, errr, i mean putting thoughts to the keyboard? but i think i'm a runner. i do. like i was saying before, my friend and i discussed this at length. and we decided that anyone who runs, is a runner. be it 1 mile once a week, or 26 miles on a regular basis. and i'm kinda liking this new thought. i am a runner. i run. no one can dispute that. but i think the key to my success at running, is making it a consistent thing. i have a schedule. i schedule my runs in every day. and it feels good. seriously! i'm really, fully enjoying it. what will come of this? who knows? i have that little birdie on my shoulder saying that i can continue this training for a 1/2 marathon in about 10 weeks. but on that other shoulder is that little devil telling me that i can't accomplish that goal. so... we'll see. just getting out there and pounding the pavement is enough for me right now. enough for me to say that i truly am a runner.

here's a quote i read in the last running room magazine that inspired me:

"Runners come in all shapes, sizes and speeds. Even though I'm a curvy 36 year old, I'm still an athlete. I'm faster than some and slower than others, but my speed doesn't make me any more or less of a runner..."

interiors...

i love design. i really do. i may not be a professional or have everyone's idea of the best taste, but i just know what i like. and isn't that the thing that really matters? yes, i do have my own personal decor style. can i name it? i'm not sure. i adore anything mid century modern. i like the 50's minimalist and 60's eclectic style. i like figuring out how to decorate well ON A BUDGET. i like funky fabrics. bright colors, mixed with easy on the eyes neutrals. i like coordinating stuff... however i'm trying to stray away from being too matchy matchy. i'm a wannabe DIY'er, always have high aspirations to turn something junky into something magical. most of those dreams die when i realize i'd rather sleep myself during the kids' naptime. ha ha! but, in saying that, i still love to dream about interior decorating. so, from time to time, i need to put up pictures of interiors that i salivate over. the building days are gone and over for us (we've built 3 houses and are now planning to stay put) but that doesn't mean i can't still imagine another dream kitchen, right? today i'll focus on kitchens.

here's a couple images that i'm currently in love with:

BFF

aren't best friends the best?!

i sure think so!

this girl always makes me laugh...

and makes me cry... in a good way.

love you d!!

*apologies to the one who won't love these pics, even though i love them!*

little bitty

dear baby h,

you are so sweet. so kissable. so loveable. you are an absolute blessing to our lives. we can hardly remember life without you. and to think, your daddy was very happy to stop at just 2 babes. now he's smitten, beyond belief. as am i. did you know that when i fell pregnant, i was actually the scared one? there were some circumstances which made it a hard time to be pregnant (not so much for us, but for close ones around us). but we know the Lord had it in His plans from day 1. He knew we'd be a bit scared and nervous... and He also knew how quickly we'd fall in love with you. i felt you move the first time at one of our ultrasounds. we saw you swimming and waving and floating in the water. then i felt it. that familiar twinge. that tiny little tap, letting me know you were in there, sharing my space with me. i think that's when i started to really get excited. i started to bond, so to say. from then on, it was excitement waiting for you. however we were very patient. i enjoyed having you inside me. maybe because this time we knew it would be the last time. you were the last little person to live inside of my womb, sweet babe. and i treasured it. oh, did i treasure it. i rubbed you and spoke to you, sang to you. and you grew, and grew. when you came, it was also a surprise. a little late. who would have thought? two earlier babes and then you... late but perfect as can be! your timing was impeccable, you said. we have marveled at you every day since then. showing us what a miracle and gift you are. you sleep well during your naps and at night. you do the cutest thing. you suck your first finger. it is quite funny and we get comments on how sweet it is everywhere we go. for now we'll love on it, because it really is quite adorable... and we'll worry about the orthodontist bill another day. i do love to nurse you. it is our special time. although maybe more special for momma than for you. i've never had a 'cuddly' little nurser with any of you girls. you are no different than your sisters. get the job done quickly then back to play. but i try to prolong the sessions. looking into your blue eyes and trying to get a glimpse into the future. or is it into the past? trying to see what heaven was like before you came to us. this is what we tell your sisters where you were before you came to us. it passes as a reasonable explanation for them and really, we like to imagine you sitting up in heaven waiting for the right time to join our family. you have been a heaven sent addition. we're so thankful for you, little bitty. we will continue to enjoy you, pray for you, play with you, protect you from your obsessive sisters, cuddle you, kiss you, hug you, smell you, change you, carry you and so much more. you are our baby. thanks be to God for blessing us immeasurably!

love,

mommy

a few of your six month pictures: