Three

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.

How it amazes me you’re changin’ with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So let them be little,
‘Cause they’re only that way for a while.
Give ‘em hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let ‘em cry, let ‘em giggle,
Let ‘em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

I never felt so much in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers and your wishes.

I can’t believe how much my girl has grown in 3 short years.

Military Spouse Day

Military Spouse Day, 2008

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Military spouses embody the courage, nobility of duty, and love of country that inspire every American. On Military Spouse Day, we pay tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America’s Armed Forces during times of war and peace.

The legacy of military spouses began when colonial Americans were fighting for independence. Martha Washington boosted the morale of her husband’s troops by visiting battlefields and tending to the wounded. Since then, members of our Armed Forces have served our Nation accompanied by the steadfast love and support of their spouses and families.

While our men and women in uniform are protecting our country’s founding ideals of liberty, democracy, and justice, their spouses live with uncommon challenges, endure sleepless nights, and spend long periods raising children alone. Many military spouses are also committed volunteers, serving other military families and local communities. Our Nation benefits from the sacrifices of our military families, and we are inspired by their courage, strength, and leadership.

On Military Spouse Day and throughout the year, we honor the commitment spouses have made to freedom’s cause. To learn about ways to support our troops and their spouses and families, I encourage all Americans to visit www.americasupportsyou.mil.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2008, as Military Spouse Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities and by expressing their gratitude to the husbands and wives of those serving in the United States Armed Forces.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Let’s Make-Up

I saw this meme over at In(side) the Loop and thought it looked fun and kind of out of the ordinary.  Feel free to play along!

My Foundation:
I actually don’t wear foundation.  I find it heavy and annoying.  I do think I may need to start looking for a tinted moisturizer, though, because I need to even out a little splotchiness.
My Mascara: Maybelline Great Lash.
I’ve worn expensive mascaras and cheap and this one is the best.  I use the “Blackest Black” because my lashes have blonde tips.  I wear contacts and have pretty sensitive eyes so I always thought I needed to wear expensive mascaras.  Every article with a make-up artist I’ve read has raved about Great Lash so I tried it and I love it.

Night Cream:  Estee Lauder Idealist 
I’m not sure if this is even specifically designed to be used at night but that’s typically when I use it so it is for me.  I tend to have flakiness in my t-zone and this gently refinishes those spots.

My Beauty Product Brand: ???
I don’t really have a specific brand that I stick with.  When I was younger it was Estee’ Lauder and lately I’m really loving Chanel’s beauty products but I just use what I like, regardless of brand.

My Essential Beauty Product:  Lipstick/Liner/Gloss 
I do not feel dressed until I am wearing something on my mouth so these are a must.  I would love to be one of those women who can just throw a gloss in a bag and go but I have to do the full thing or nothing at all.

My Favorite Makeup Product: Refillable self-sharpening pencils (lip and eye liners)
Whoever invented these was a genius.  Estee’ Lauder started producing these back in the 90s and I’m so glad that drugstore brands are doing these now.  I CANNOT stand actual wood pencils.  They’re bulky, it’s impossible to sharpen them well and they’re crumbly.

 

My Perfume: Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker and Romance by Ralph Lauren
I’ve been through a number of perfumes and I don’t really remain loyal to any specific one any longer than a bottle lasts.  These two just happen to be the ones I like right now.

Three Products (besides solar) to bring on a Deserted Island:
Moisturizer, Contact Solution, toothbrush

Woman with the Best Sense of Style: 
I have a few, I love Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco), and Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis.  No one else can compare to the enduring style and grace of these three icons.

My Ultimate Dream:
Effortlessness.  I long to be one of those women who doesn’t even have to try and can look amazing.  That’s what I want to be when I grow up.

How Do I Define Womanhood:
Consciousness, selflessness, graciousness.

My Favorite Fashion Publication:
Probably In Style.  I really haven’t read a fashion publication in a while.  I think In Style is the most realistic and lends the most useful information.

Quick Trip

Aidan and I took a quick trip down to Sandestin to see my parents and some friends of theirs.  Ryan was supposed to come with us but the Army says he’s not allowed outside of a 100 mile radius of the post so Florida was out.  He had a weekend on his own and was able to do manly stuff like change the oil in his truck and play video games. 

Here are some photos from our weekend at the beach:

We saw some gators at a gas station outside of Eufaula, Alabama.

This one was eyeing a dog on our side of the fence.

Stylin’ in mama’s shades

We had a little birthday party for Aidan since it’s this coming Friday…I think we sang Happy Birthday about a dozen times.

What can I say, my girl loves her shades?

Ready to head down to the beach!

Waiting for the bus to take us down to the beach (we stayed on the bayside).

Headed down to the waves with Grandmommy…we didn’t really get in, though, the water was way stinkin’ cold (we southerners like our beach and pool water like bathwater!)

Piggies in the sugar white sand

Building a sandcastle

Fill up the bucket, dump it out, repeat, ad nauseam

We grilled burgers out by the pool that night for dinner (that’s my parents’ friend Mrs. Simmons in the background)

Feeding Mr. Simmons a pickle

Gettin’ down with her own bad self.

On your mark, get set…

GO!!!!

Sunset

 

Recipe Swap Box - Magic Bars

I love making Magic Bars.  I got the recipe off a can of condensed milk so it’s definitely not original but they’re dang rich and SO good!  Definitely eat these with a glass of milk.

Magic Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
• 1 (12 ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1 (12 ounce) package butterscotch morsels
• 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped nuts  (I like pecans)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In 13×9-inch baking pan, mix melted butter with crumbs and press into a crust. Pour condensed milk evenly over graham cracker crust. Layer evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly.
2. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Here’s a photo from the Eagle Brand milk website of the bars:

31

For the first time since 2004, Ryan is home for my birthday.  That’s my wish come true.  :)  (Now if someone could get me either John Krasinski or Harry Connick, Jr. I’d be a really happy girl!)

Ryan offered to give me a Mama’s Night Out and let me go out and see a movie or do whatever on my own or we can go to dinner as a family.  Since we went to dinner Tuesday night, I’m leaning towards Mama’s Night Out.  It’s definitely been a while since I’ve had one!  Yeah, I think I’m going to take him up on that offer.  I’m thinking I might need to go see Leatherheads.

Hope everyone enjoys my birthday…er, I mean, May Day!

 

Honey, I’m Home!

On our way to the airfield

A sign that we saw there.  Everyone loved it.

Live video of the plane landing outside the terminal

Our guys de-planing

Someone was getting bored…it was about 2 hours from touchdown to our getting to see Daddy

They showed a countdown of things the guys had to do before they could come out and see us…this was right before they came out.  You’d think the biggest rock star out there entered the room when they flashed that sign.  Everyone went nuts.

Marching in

Mine’s right in the center of this pic…I’ve never wanted the speaker to shut up more than I did right then.

We just about ran over a lady on our way out to see Daddy.  This was ONE excited little girl!  I, of course, cried on his shoulder for a good minute or two before we kissed.

One happy family, reunited again!

This is Ryan’s unit.

I’m so glad to have my little family back together again under one roof.  :)  Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers and support during Ryan’s deployment.  It’s been a long 14 months, I’m so glad it’s over and he’s home safe.

 

 

Filch It Friday

I found this idea over on Simply Nutmeg and liked it so I’m “filching” it and bringing it on over here.

The rules are simple: Hit shuffle on your iPod, then answer each question by hitting next. NO CHEATING!!!

Q: What does next year have in store for you?
A: Illegal by Tim McGraw (Yikes!  I hope I’m not doing anything illegal!)

Q: What does your love life look like next year?
A: I’ll Never Leave You from the movie Dying Young

Q: What do you say when life gets hard?
A: Come to Me by Koop

Q: Song that reminds you of good times?
A: Vanilla Sky by Paul McCartney

Q: What do you think when you get up in the morning?
A: When I Fall In Love by Nat King Cole

Q: What song will you dance to at your wedding (let’s change that to 25th anniversary)?
A: Let Me Talk to You by Justin Timberlake

Q: Song that reminds you of your first kiss?
A: You Sent Me Flying by Amy Winehouse (I like this one if we’re talking about my first kiss with Ryan)

Q: Your favorite saying?
A: My Prayer by Harry Connick, Jr.

Q: Favorite place?
A: Love by Matt White

Q: Most Missed Memory?
A: Hate it Here by Wilco

Q: What song describes your best friend?
A: Diner by Martin Sexton (yeah, it’s a goofy, silly song and Maria is goofy and silly)

Q: What song describes your ex?
A: Fast Cars and Freedom by Rascal Flatts (I guess it depends on the ex)

Q: Where would you go on a first date?
A: You’re So Vain by Carly Simon

Q: Drug of choice?
A: Something in the Way She Moves by James Taylor

Q: What song describes yourself?
A: Crazy by Pat Green (LOVE that this is the song that came up…this is mine and Ryan’s song…we danced to it for our first dance at our wedding)

Q: What is the thing you like doing most?
A: Hello by Evanescence

Q: The song that best describes the President?
A: Million Faces by Paolo Nutini

Q: Where will you be in 10 years?
A: The Thanks I Get by Wilco

Q: Your love life right now?
A: Again & Again by The Bird and the Bee

Q: What is your state of mind like at the moment?
A: Before It’s Too Late by The Goo Goo Dolls

Q: How will you die?
A: Turn On Me by The Shins

Hmm…some weird choices! 

Mia the Model

I made a first birthday dress for my best friend’s daughter, Mia.  I gave it to Maria when we all met up in New Orleans and she loved it.  Mia wore it last Saturday for her big bash.

Isn’t she a living doll?  So stinkin’ cute!

If you can’t see it, I hand-embroidered the candle and flame onto the dress and I had her name monogrammed onto the cupcake in brown.  I think it turned out well and Maria said she got a ton of compliments on it. 

Guessing Game

I submitted an item to Office Tally.  Guess which one. 

 

 

I sat next to 2 young girls (freshmen or sophomores in high school) on my way to New Orleans.  I had plans to read my book and listen to my iPod until one of them flipped open the in-flight magazine and got me all distracted.  We all agreed that he’s the best reason to watch TV lately.  I choose to believe they have very mature and sophisticated taste rather than the converse.