My Dream Like Weekend

I had the BEST weekend!

It bounced back and forth between dream like and a heart throbbing, full of life intensity! Location of some of my best dreams...HOME, and that is always good!

I celebrated my birthday on Saturday, and when asked what I wanted to do for my birthday celebration, I can think of no better plan than to go home and spend my day with family. When we are all together, we fill the house to the brim...eleven smiling, crying, mischievous, yawning faces, 22 hands getting into anything and everything including dismantling the baseboard heater..., 22 feet scuttling, running, jumping, kicking, chasing, and hiding in every square inch of the house, too many toys to count, 2 dogs...one slow, one really fast, and only four parents and two grandparents attempting to contain the happy chaos!

My trip began on Thursday with a glorious drive over the mountains. Fall was in her glory, bright & intense in colors of vibrant red, sunny yellow, and warm orange. With every twist and turn of the road I exclaimed, praised God for his handy work, and began to breath a little lighter. I love home, and as I approach I can literally feel the weight lifting off my shoulders. I drove with camera in one hand, steering wheel in the other, and eyes constantly wandering. We did make it safe in case you were worried...


We picked up Nini, in one swift move, and drove directly to Daddy who is in the middle of a month working stretch away from our home! He was greeted with the thumping of new rain boots, squeals, hugs, and slobbery pre-schooler kisses! Daddy is working the harvest season for our friends who own a winery. This was a whole new, unexplored, exciting boy paradise...complete with fresh, crunchy apples, tire swings, ponds and rocks, grapes on the vine, a forklift ride, and wine tasting for mom! No better reward for surviving a long week without Daddy!

The weekend continued with a fun & festive football game against the local high school rival! I still think there is nothing better than the feeling of a cold metal bleacher making a frosty impression, while I am wrapped, bundled, tucked, and stuffed under, around, and in a mountain of blankets, scarves, and hats. The smell of the cold Fall air mixing with stadium popcorn, nacho cheese, and fresh cut grass! The boys LOVED the mascots, the rivaling bands competing for airspace, and the fun...usually not allowed, treats!

We took walks, played at the park, rolled down hills, and romped through cow pastures...full of cows. Note: playing in a field full of grazing cows, including a very large bull, is not recommended without proper tools for defending yourself while you are being chased!

The kids loved our visit to the local pumpkin patch and farm, ate our fair share of kettle corn, and purchased all things apple related!

Birthday celebrations were held that evening at a beautiful candle lit table, with Dads amazing food on favorite family china. Pre-dinner drinks and appetizers, made by my creative sis, were amazing!!! Pear martinis, brie, prosciutto, pears, and rosemary crackers fit right into the Fall theme. So fun to be celebrated, I am looking forward to another year of new adventures.

Christmas pictures were taken and just in time might I add...the snow began to fall about an hour after the last picture was snapped. This freakishly early storm set the scene for a very intense, scary, and slippery drive back over the same mountains that just three days earlier were tame and nonthreatening. Slow and steady wins the race, two hours behind schedule, we arrived back home to drop kids and embark on our annual girls only birthday shopping trip. The weekend concluded with a very fun, successful, and wet shopping trip...it was snowing in the mountains which means Noah's ark was floating in the city!!! Tired, newly clothed, and sufficiently soaked I returned home ready to begin a new week!

I am blessed, & so love birthday weekends at home.

How about you, how do you like to spend your birthday?

I meant to post this on Monday, but between re-entry, shopping, and spending time with mom...my post was delayed. Hope that is okay with you....

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Let's Have Some Girl Time!

Changing My Perspective

This morning started off on the wrong foot!

Overslept on a preschool morning, two boys to get out the door!

Positive interaction with my Hubs, none,...all my fault.

Interaction with my sweet boys...nag, nag, nag...yell, and nag some more! ( I am not one who yells, and this always catches me off guard and breaks my heart!)

Burned the toast

Over cooked the eggs

Breakfast refused to be eaten, sad.

Spilled the hot, fresh coffee, down my clean front

Broken shoe lace on a NEW toddler shoe

Make-up on, but in the car...

Arrived at school late

Missed counting school buses, our favorite morning ritual

Remembered show and tell, forgot that my little buddy needed a lunch for school...

Turn back around

Make lunch

New cup of coffee

PAUSE!
Breath....

Ever have a morning like this?

I know I can't be the only mom who starts her day off like this every now and then. Life has been so stressful lately, and I feel my interactions with life are falling into this frazzled state more than I would like!

MY CHOICE...take a walk, clear my head, and change my perspective!

Here is what I found...

Beauty found in what might be an annoyance, today...I choose to be simply amazed!

Fall and Summer intermix, leaving me feeling a strange sense of calm!

God's glorious Fall painting, amazing how every Fall color can be represented on one tree!

Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Math 6:34

The God to cares enough to feed the birds of the air, and color the trees with every Fall color, knows my needs, and He will provide if I will only seek Him first!

Breathtaking...

Sunny lunch in the park with a little boy who, despite all of his Mama's nagging this morning, still smiles and enjoys his one-on-one time! Praise God for children who forgive and forget so easily!

Now

Refreshed & encouraged that God is in control, ever faithful, and will paint my life even more beautifully than the Fall trees if I let him!

Praying that as I move into my evening, I will remember lessons learned today, and keep my calm, peaceful, happy spirit!

What did you learn today?

All photos: Property of A Lasting First Impression

Facial Monday-Eyes Worth Looking Through!

You know how "they" say that your eyes are the window to your soul....I believe this is partially true, the skin around the eyes displays expression and emotions that are an important part of our individuality, so your eyes can be a dead giveaway if you are genuinely a sad or a happy person! I also believe that your eyes and the skin around them reveal a lot about your physical and emotional health...a window to your health if you will!

This morning when I looked in the mirror, I was horrified! I saw all of the stress & lack of sleep I have been experiencing in and round my eyes. They looked so different to me, I hardly recognized myself. The skin surrounding my eyes looked dull, grey, and actually has new wrinkles that weren't there a few months ago! I said right out loud, "Are you kidding me...!"

This got me thinking about how well I choose to take care of my eyes. I have great skin care products at my finger tips, and it would be a waste to not take advantage of them and teach you some easy rituals while I am at it! I would say that my eyes are one of my best features, and I want to make sure that they stay that way! So what am I going to do about it? Well lets start with the facts, then we will cover the easy rituals!

Facts and Problems

The skin around the eyes is ten times thinner than the skin on the face.

As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and becomes even thinner due to a breakdown of collagen. You can further aggravate this process by sun exposure, smoking, and other environmental exposures.

The skin around the eyes is constantly moving, blinking alone produces 10,000 movements per day!

Smiling, squinting, and stress can also affect the eye area, creating fine lines or crows feet!

Under eye puffiness can be exacerbated by salty foods, allergies and dehydration.

Rubbing and tugging of the delicate skin under the eye due to allergies, crying, eye makeup, and the in/out of contact lenses can contribute to the sagging of the this area.

The tissue around the eyes has very few oil glands, so it lacks the natural moisture present on other parts of the body, only adding to the problem.

The Easy Rituals Make The Difference!

We can't stop the aging process, but some of our choices each day can certainly make a huge difference!

First regular cleansing of our face and eyes and exfoliation will reduce the residual oils and keep pores small and clean. This also signals your skin to keep sloughing off the old dead skin cells, after the old have been removed, the skin will make new cells...plump, healthy, and glowing! Find a great Basic Cleanser and a Microdermabrasion Creme, you will be amazed how your skin feels and looks!

Second, lets tackle the wrinkles, crows feet, puffiness, and dark circles...
Optimize Rejuvenating Eye Serum, is your one stop product!

The peptide system in this eye serum firms and decreases visible wrinkles within two months of twice daily
use. It also stimulates lymphatic circulation to improve sagging contours, firmness and elasticity; visibly reduces under eye “bags,” and dark under eye circles. Patented almond proteins help remodel skin’s surface to visibly lift and smooth wrinkles and fine lines.

If you have extra time and money Mineral Genesis Pure Gold is another products that will transform your skin tone & texture while reducing those dark circles and under eye bags!
Gold* (Au) energizes cellular activity and restores a youthful glow to the skin
• Sensaria’s patent-pending formula of peptides and volcanic minerals instantly lifts and tightens as
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Third, hydration both inside and out, is so important! Your skin will reveal its flaws and condition if you haven't been drinking enough water. It really does matter for the health of your skin. Did you know that your skin is mostly made up of water? Hydration is key for plump, healthy cells! We can help keep our skin moisturized by drinking water and using these three different products; a regular moisturizer for your face, an eye cream to moisturize the skin under your eyes, and a Skin Perfecting Serum which locks in intense hydration by creating a moisture barrier.

I am sure that this seems like too many products or really over whelming, let me reassure you! Our four step skincare line includes a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and a repair serum...that is four really basic and essential products in one package. Then add an eye cream, microderm creme, and a regular habit of drinking water and you have it made!

My plan, I am going to be diligent about my face washing, I am going to try to reduce stress, and double my water intake.

How about you? What can you do this week to help transform your skin?

Dogs

Dogs Become Members Of Our Families!

They become integrated into almost every area of our lives; where they play, where they eat, a drop off at the groomers on the way to soccer, their own section on our grocery list, a basket for toys, a jar on our counters full of treats, and a special place where they feel the safest...their beds! I am a believer that this is where my dog and I part ways. I want their bed to be cozy, soft, safe, and a place they grow to love. However, I don't want that place to be my bed! I already share my bed with my sweet husband, and space is limited! (For some of you, this isn't an issue, and that is okay!) For those looking for a sleeping alternative to our beds, check these out!

There are a million different options for dog beds, some are practical, easy to clean, and not very pretty to look at. Others are very fluffy, lots of fabric, and tricky to clean. Here is a stylish compromise! I love how sleek and modern these dog homes are! Easy to clean, look great in any decor style, and still very comfortable for our beloved pets!

What do you think, would your pet appreciate this fabulous dog home? What color would look the best in your home?

Have a great weekend!

Photos: Onekingslane-doghaus, Home for Dixie-Emma Jackson

Three Reasons

I can think of three really valid reasons for why this amazing ring should be mine...but first some stats about this lovely!

Rare Pink Diamond

It is valued at 38 million dollars

It is 24.78 carats...amazing

Will go to auction next month, last on the market 60 years ago!

Was last sold by Harry Winston

Quoted to be one of the most desirable diamonds

"What makes it so immensely rare is the combination of its exceptional colour and purity with the classic emerald-cut -- a style of cutting normally associated with white diamonds."

David Bennett, chairman for Europe and the Middle East at Sotheby?s international jewellery department.

So back to my reasons for truly believing why this lovely ring should be mine...

1. My birthday is at the end of the month!
2. I love pink, especially pink diamonds!
3. It is breast cancer awareness month, and pink is the symbol color, so what better gift! Kill two birds with one stone! I could then be a poster child for BC awareness! : )

What do you think, should it be mine? 38 mil, not too much to ask for, right?

Picture: Yahoo News

My Fall Road

Today started out as just another ordinary day; coffee, breakfast, shopping list compiled, everyone dressed and out the door. But then ordinary turned magnificent...

Our weekly trip the grocery store was decorated by falling gold, piles of gold, swishing and whooshing gold moved by our presence on the road. It was like driving through a Fall heaven, and my thoughts turned to how blessed and grateful I am for my life.

My boys ooh-ed and aah-ed in the back seat about Fall's glorious gifts, and I, lost in the amber haze, thanked God for those boys, my incredible husband, and our life together!

I am so blessed to be their mom! They are the sparkle in my day, they are the laugh lines forming by my eyes, they are my daily thoughts and my dreams for our future, they remind me how good and sovereign God is, and their love...their rough and tumble boy love, is everything I ever have wanted!

My husband is strong and focused. He isn't just the head of our house, he is the eyes...to see where we are going, he is the muscles...to hold, hug, and lift in moments of sadness and joy, he is the legs...to move us forward and along side God, he is the mouth...slow and comforting, and along with my sensitive and gentle heart & hands we make a pretty great team! I am so thankful for him!

Our life may not be perfect, we always are dreaming of and working for our future, and there is always room for God to work, but today we are going to enjoy and be thankful for this moment...where we are today! I want to enjoy this amber, hazy, Fall moment. I am blessed!

Pictures: Rob Eastman-Falling Leaves, Boys-A Lasting First Impression, Road-Nikko, Japan Yahoo.