Someone page Rachel Zoe STAT!

Cameron has a habit of leaving ALL of his clothes on the floor. It drives me crazy. It pleases the girls as it makes for interesting dress-up combinations for them.

I know what you're thinking. Before I address the fashion issues at hand. I should clearly teach my children their left foot from their right.

Where's Julie?

Some of you may have been wondering if I've fallen off the face of the earth since it's been....oh, about SIX months since I've posted an actual blog entry with pictures. And the answer is no. No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I've simply been busy running all over it! So, here's a quick, bumper sticker version of what we did the 2nd half of 2010:

Our little ladybug turned ONE! I believe Sheridan's face perfectly expresses how I felt that my baby girl, was in fact, not a baby anymore

I joined forces with my fellow June birthday girls (Shaunna and Sara) to celebrate our birthdays with friends at 219 West. Our ages are irrelevant. Against Leighton's wishes (there were several weeks of tearful good-byes and one early pick-up) I enrolled her in a Mother's Day Out program on Tuesdays/Thursdays. Those days from 9am-1pm you can find me pampering myself with massages, facials, mani/pedis, and lots of shopping cramming as many errands into that window of time as humanly possible.
Cameron and I celebrated six years of irritating each other wedded bliss

Leaving for dinner in the Domain
We went to Port A with Cameron's parents, where we couldn't keep one daughter (below) out of the water and couldn't get the other one in the water (that would be Leighton who is NOT pictured in the water)

Gigi and her girls

We all participated in Halloween activities. Sheridan went trick-or-treating as a witch

Naturally, I dressed Leighton up as a ladybug
And Cameron and I used our strengths from being products of the 80's and dressed up as Madonna and Don Johnson for an adult Halloween party

Leighton was baptized

Sheridan turned FIVE!!! She's a whole hand old and I coped by drinking five bottles of wine. Well, not really. But that certainly would have helped. I'll have to file that idea away for the day she starts kindergarten!!!!!
I hope I'll be better at blogging in 2011, but I wouldn't hold your breath. I've joined a drinking book club and that may take up all of my "free" time.

She wants her cake AND she's going to eat it

A conversation with Sheridan regarding her FIFTH birthday party:

Me: "Sheridan, do you want Cinderella to come to your birthday party or do you want to have your party at the Hoppin' Hippo?"

Sheridan: "Go to the Hoppin' Hippo"

Grandpa: "What do you do at the Hoppin' Hippo?"

Sheridan: "We jump." (short pause) "Oh, and Cinderella comes to the Hoppin Hippo" (insert smirk here)

me: "Wow. I didn't see that one coming. Well played kid"

Wednesday Wisdom

A few things I learned today:

1. It is NOT a good idea to kill two birds with one stone and have your children vaccinated during the same appointment. It is a terrible, horrible nightmare for everyone involved.

2. I have discovered it is better to close my eyes when Cameron is driving. It's more relaxing and I'm less likely to have a heart attack.

3. The sting is just as bad when you drop $700 on a vehicle that normally doesn't cost you anything monthly, as the one that does.

4. My inexpensive beach vacation just got expensive. (see above since said vehicle is the mode of transportation to beach vacation)

5. Having two young children is emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting. This one I've been learning for awhile but seriously, today about did me in. I wish I had really known this tidbit of information...ooohh, say....FIVE YEARS AGO. Not that I would have done things any differently because we all know, I'm stubborn and I like to learn the hard way, but it is nice to be warned. So, for any of the 10 people that read my blog, here's my little public service announcement: if you're about to start a family or increase the one you have, nothing I say nor anything that you read can fully prepare you for how crazy life gets or how to juggle it all. So...just brace yourself.

6. Everything still gets better with a glass of wine...or maybe two

Appropriate Car Art

I'm not a big fan of putting a lot of shit bumper stickers on my car. But I saw this one today and I would definitely wallpaper my entire car with it:

I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money...

You can keep the "CHANGE"

I don't personally "pack heat" and I'm pretty sure I'm not the next Donald Trump, but I am a fan of my freedom....just ask my parents. Now excuse me while I search for this little gem for my entire family. Especially my father.

We have an aspiring Houdini on our hands

This is NOT where I left her when I tried to get some things done around the house this afternoon. Apparently, getting out of the mega-saucer is no match for Miss Leighton.

Busted!!

"What? Stunt doubles are for the weak."

I didn't tell her my next stop was the liquor store

HEB cashier: (as she is scanning an 18-pack of Coors Light, a 6-pack of Miller Lite and a bottle of wine) "Oh, are you having a party?"

Me: (trying not to laugh and say 'bless your heart') "No. I'm hoping this lasts us a week. A party with our friends would require A LOT more alcohol than that!"

Do you notice a theme here?

Every day random thoughts pop into my head and I have conversations with myself. Not out loud of course. That would be weird. Normal people talk to themselves ALL THE TIME. So to help you feel more normal, I thought I'd share the little gems of thoughts/conversations that have occurred in my head this morning. You're welcome.

1. I have big plans for tonight. I hope no one calls me after 7:30pm because I have BIG, EXCITING plans for my Friday night. I'm going to bed when the girls do tonight.

2. Why doesn't Leighton want to eat breakfast lately? Doesn't she know it's THE MOST IMPORTANT meal of the day? No, of course she doesn't. She's only EIGHT MONTHS OLD.

3. If I cloned myself (you know, pending that was possible and all, of course) would my clone be just as tired as I am or would she have endless amounts of energy to watch my children so I could sleep?

4. How am I going to yell constructively correct Sheridan if I don't have my voice today?

5. Why is Leighton such an early bird? She clearly doesn't get that from me.

6. Ahhhh, the bunny is in the backyard eating. He (or she possibly) makes me happy.

7. I'm so glad the damn plants could go back outside. I'm sure by the time I vacuum up all of the leaves, they'll have to come back inside.

8. I think it's quite possible that I got MORE sleep when Leighton was a newborn. People were here during the day, helping me, forcing me to get some sleep. Where did "those people" go? Can I get them back without having another baby?

9. What are we going to have for dinner tonight? There isn't any food in the house. I need to go to HEB. But let's be real, I'm still in my pjs so that's not going to happen today. Maybe we'll just order pizza. Hmmm...Sheridan is going to think pizza is one of the five essential food groups that you should consume on a daily basis. I'll make sure I order something with veggies on it. Problem solved.

10. I wonder how long it's going to take Cameron to put the new ink cartridges in the printer? Hopefully not as long as it's taking him to put the new engine in the Bronco.

11. Shit. I haven't had my coffee yet this morning. I'm sure that's why I'm so tired this morning and not due to the fact that I only got 3 hours of sleep last night.

12. Is it 7:30pm yet???????

Afterwards, we dipped them in chocolate

After an always challenging task trying to photograph them, it was our reward...

Happy Valentine's Day!

What do I know?

A conversation with Sheridan while she was playing with her kitchen and play food:

Sheridan: (holding a basket of vegetables) I was in the garden.

Me: What kind of vegetables did you pick in your garden?

Sheridan: (picking up each one to show me) Corn, a potato, a pickle

Me: I can see how that looks like a pickle but it's actually eggplant

Sheridan: Really?

Me: Yes. What else do you have?

Sheridan: A egg and a orange

Me: I think that's actually a pumpkin

Sheridan: Hmm...I think it's a orange

Me: (thinking) Well, since I CLEARLY don't know anything, I won't even try to explain that eggs don't come from a garden.

Things I learned over Christmas break

1. Maybe I need to re-evaluate when I drink my daily glass of wine. It might be more beneficial to begin my day with it rather than coffee.

2. Unlike my teacher friends, I will NOT be counting down the days until summer vacation.

3. I love my children. Sometimes I love them even more when they are sleeping.

4. You can learn a lot during a game of Mexican train. Taylor, (even though you don't read my blog, just in case) I will never be the same after your story.

5. I've always said that I don't like pistachios. But I actually tried them and it turns out. I like them! Who knew? Although this new revolution does not mean that I will actually try brussel sprouts. I am quite certain I will not like those little things. EVER.

6. I am STILL finding sugar crystals from my evening of making sugar cookies with Sheridan.

7. Sheridan's daily "quiet time," is rarely quiet.

8. My Kitchen Aid mixer gets a lot of attention during the holidays. I used it three times in one week to make pound cake, sugar cookies, and oreo truffles.

9. There is a limit to how many times a person can watch Finding Nemo within a two week period. It's sixteen.

10. I should have asked Santa for ear plugs (to tune out all the new, noisy toys) and a personal trainer (remember #8?).

11. Leighton is not a fan of green vegetables. Can't say that I blame her on the baby food green beans. They are less than desirable.

12. I'm a little more emotional during the holidays. Hard to believe, I KNOW! But it is possible. EVERYTHING makes me cry or at the very least, get teary eyed. Because the bottom line is, despite all the craziness. And commotion. And temporary two week loss of sanity while school is out. I would be even crazier without my family and my precious girls that complete it.

Santa, define good....

Before & After

I can't remember what our garage looked liked before the invasion of the Bronco. And I can only dream about what it will look like after the Bronco moves to its permanent home on the ranch. But this is what it currently looks like in the midst of replacing the engine, performing search and rescue operations for the Christmas decorations in the attic, and trying to find a home for pretty much anything else that can't be shoved into a closet in the house:

Why am I posting a picture of our messy garage after months of not posting anything, when surely I have better pictures than this to share? It's really very simple. Because the chaos of that messy garage with randomness everywhere can pretty much explain what life has been like in our household over the last several months. From adjusting to the joys and challenges of having two kids to 6 to 8 weeks of optic neuritis and possible MS to delaying an MS diagnosis with weekly injections to starting a new business venture to gearing up for the most wonderful time of the year. It's pretty safe to say that everything in my head feels like that scrambled mess in the garage and every room in our house looks like that garage. There's my "CAbi office" on top of all my scrappin' crap necessities in the dining room (which is now also creeping its way onto the bar in the kitchen), there are piles of maternity clothes in our bedroom that I've been meaning to sell on craigslist but haven't had time for all that entails, there are tubs of clothes in the girls' rooms from transitioning seasons/sizes in Sheridan's closet and hand-me-downs from Sheridan and Savannah in Leighton's room, and the guest bedroom...well, I'm not even sure I want to go there because I can hardly walk into that room. Literally, there's so much shit in there. So, if you know any good personal assistants. Please. Get me one for Christmas.

College Station Checklist

1. Eat at Blue Baker: check.

2. Eat at Chicken Oil: check.

3. Outfit family with necessary A&M paraphernalia: check.

Gig'Em!!!

I'm sure that's what it means.....

Someone couldn't wait to put her bathing suit on to get in the pool. And didn't want to mess with taking her clothes off either. I like to think it's a sign that there won't be any skinny dippin' in her future. And if this is the first time I'm wrong about something, please don't tell me.

"Hmmm...I bet Mimi would love for me to run through her house right about now"

Shopping spree....here I come!!!!!!!!

Purchase non-running Bronco: $400 (remember this conversation)

Many, many, many trips to Auto Zone for parts: we'll say....at least $300 (and I think I'm being nice)

Tow bar to get Bronco into a mechanic: $100

Mechanic's bill to "maybe" get said Bronco to run: $500 (for now....)

I'm hoping there is a "priceless" end to all of this but my Magic 8 ball keeps telling me "outlook not so good."

Are heads going to roll?

Magic 8 ball: "It is certain"

Imagine

I always knew I wanted two children so they would have and know the special relationship that only siblings can share. And once we had Sheridan, I felt like I wouldn't be fulfilling my motherly duties if I didn't give her a younger sibling that would do things they shouldn't and then she would get blamed for them since she was the oldest and there was NO WAY the younger one could have EVER done something bad. Oh wait. Sorry. That was a flashback from MY childhood.

Anyway, I also secretly hoped for two girls because if they were to be as lucky as me, once they worked through the normal fighting and annoying each other stages, then they'd realize they not only have a sister but a best friend for life. One thing I didn't know I would experience while being pregnant with my second child was the worry of how could I possibly love TWO kids as much and the same as I love Sheridan. I tried to comfort myself with the fact that I love both of my dogs the same. But honestly, I was pretty sure that wasn't the same. So after worrying about this during my pregnancy, it turns out that my ass wasn't the only thing that grew over 37 weeks. Apparently my heart grew, too because I have more love for these two girls than I ever imagined possible.

Happy 4th of July

The decisions we make these days

What tv show will I watch next?

What should I do next? Eat? Sleep? Poop?

It's a tough life but someone's gotta live it

Two Weeks

Celebrating two weeks that I haven't completely lost my mind with two kids......

But it is pretty easy to avoid when they're this precious

Oh yeah, not to mention all the help I've had.