B is for Babies

Who doesn't love them?

I won't say too much about this topic but my biggest fear in life is not being able to have my own children. It's a rarity to find me in "deep thought" but when I am it's generally about this. I'm especially in awe of those women who struggle throughout the process with such a positive attitude.  There's no doubt about it, babies are a gift from God.  I can.not.wait to have my life surrounded by tons of little babes! And people....that time is NOW!

That's right...

I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!

(and an unofficial aunt to Mark and Britt's Baby G)

Aside from being a wife and having babes of my own this is something I have waited my entire life for!

And now this couple is making me the most proud person in the whole dang universe! So thankful for them and their new little baby!

Ian and Tracy (old pic)

They will be the BEST parents!

This baby was an answer to countless prayers and I am SOOOO beyond happy for them (and me!!) Let me tell you, this is one extremely loved little baby! After years of hoping they finally decided to "not worry" about it happening.  They focused on making their cute house cuter and having fun in general and wouldn't you know? It happened! Always does right? The minute you relax and stop allowing it take over every though in your mind....

 Back in October, after a super fun weekend with T, we we're at the deer lease with his fam...atop a big ole hunting truck (like on the top of the cab, hick style) and I got a text from Tracy.  Pictures of the pregnancy tests! Y'all...it took everything in my power to stay cool in front of T's dad, who surely would've thought I was nuts. I thought it was a joke.  I've spent the last 2 years analyzing everything she does..."she only drank half her glass of wine...is she pregs??" "why did they decide to not come to dinn? she must be pregs!" "she had tea at dinner...def pregs, right?" to always find out later I was wrong. 

This was the biggest surprise ever!

That was back in October though.  MONTHS ago! I was so nervous about getting excited over this baby. (publicly anyway...secretly I had already purchased clothes for "it", like any obsessed aunt would do)

Well....this morning they found out the sex of the baby! I was SO excited to get the day started so I could patiently wait for the text she promised to send the minute they found out!  We even made it class activity...

10 o'clock came around and I still hadn't heard...then I got this message...

I was PISSED.  Seriously...they knew how excited I was about this day and they decided all of a sudden to have a freakin' gender reveal??! (which my Mexican aide/friend says is "something only white people would do" haha)

Well about 30 minutes later I got a phone call and got the news I had anticipated for weeks and weeks and weeks....

It's a GIRL!!!

I may be a little biased but she's going to be the most precious little girl in the whole world and I will be the best aunt evs...just sayin'.

Already have all kinds of baby girl plans in store for Little Miss CML...tutu's GALORE! You can bet your sweet little baby bottom on it!

 So excited to celebrate Baby G tomorrow! Stayed tuned next week for what may be the cutest shower you ever did see! Geez laweez...so much excitement!!

W is for Weddings

I am thankful people still believe in the sanctity of marriage.

When so many people (enter Kim K) in the world take the commitment so loosely it's refreshing to be surrounded by people who feel the exact opposite. They are such great examples unlike this one:

I'm fairly certain her choice of headpiece didn't help extend the 72 day marriage...

Even though some pictures like this make my stomach turn a bit, it reminds you there's a perfect person for everyone...

eek.

 And images like this remind you why it's worth it.

sweetest thing to see...old folks holding hands!

Y'all my grandma is still so in love with my grandpa it's almost disgusting. Like teenager, eyes glazed over, can't stop gushing over him...love. (she's also very theatrical so this doesn't help her cause) I need to dig up some pics just to show you how bad she is but I will say, it is pretty nice to see her like that after 62 years of marriage.  I hope in 50 years I'm even half as happy and in love!

The actual event of a wedding ain't to bad either...good free food, good free drinks, good people, good music, good party, sign me up! I big fat L.O.V.E weddings. It could even be argued that I have too much fun at weddings...

Yep...ruined that dress.

AND....let us not forget the excitement that will ensue the moment I get to plan mine! EEEEEEeeee!

(poor Trav, he's a good man)

A is for Awesome People

I'll make this short and sweet today.

Today I am very thankful for specialist.  The awesome people that help me do my job.

I've said before I have the best job in the world...and most days even though it can be tiring and busy, it's actually a pretty easy job (or comes easily to me anyway). Today though, is a different day. Something I've never had to do before.  I have this sweet little one in my class and from day one I have noticed that something wasn't quite right. After months of documentation today is the day we are going to sit that child's parents down and tell them point blank.  Hearing what we have to share I'm certain will be very hard to take in. I am SOO nervous y'all. I feel like I may be heading to tear central and well, crying at your job is just not that professional!

I am so thankful I don't have to do this alone and those specialist will be there to help!

Luckily, HH is on the schedule for this afternoon and it's not coming a minute too soon. In fact, I wish I had this in my lunchbox to calm my nerves! 

A side note from the teacher:
Dear Parents,
Take some time to compare your child and their behaviors to other children their age. Do this from the time they are young! If you think something might not be quite right, it probably isn't. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, don't excuse behaviors not typical of others their age just because you think they might be the smartest kid you've ever met or the most well behaved. Be honest with yourself.  If you have concerns ask questions, get opinions, see a pediatrician. Don't let their kindergarten teacher be the first to bring this to your attention. The earlier you get these things under wraps the better off your child (and you!) will be.
Sincerest regards,
 Ms. Landin


Okay, off my soap box.

I is for iPhone

i.love.my.phone.

I am definitely thankful for this thing.

Even though it's the old school iPhone 3.

Seriously y'all, how did we ever live without this? 

Up until I got this 8th wonder of the world, I had never even had a camera phone. Nokia for me all the way! I hated techie gadgets and assumed I would be returning this one within hours of purchasing. I was SO wrong. 

Just about every week I discover something new about this phone. It can do anything.

(It really bothers me when other peoples bottom four aren't set up like mine! Ha.)

 Here's a few apps worth mentioning:

Couch to 5k - very cool, especially for someone who hates running but tries to convince herself she loves it.  This times your running/walking intervals and has a daily schedules or goals for you to reach.

Spark People - tracks all your food and fitness. This is great...if you actually use it! I go in spurts.

Sales Shopper - Do yourself a favor and get this! It will add up discounts and add tax. I sit in dressing rooms and total up my 30+ items and their discounts and then decide if I should part with any. I completely suck at math so this really is a life saver. 

Hobby Lobby - If you frequent Hob Lob as much as I do you def need this!  You just press it and the weekly coupons pops up. Easy as pie.

CWTV - I just discovered this baby.  You can watch any episode on here.  When I'm driving back and forth every weekend I pick a new show and listen to a few eps on the road. It's like books on tape - love it! This is where I found "Hart of Dixie" which I know got horrible reviews but I think it's too cute!

Then there's the obvious ones...Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, BlogPress, Wells Fargo, Weather.

Is there an app I absolutely NEED that I don't know about yet?!

As much as I love all the fun features of an iPhone, the thing I love best about it is the fact that it's what keeps Trav and I connected Monday through Thursday. I hate talking on the phone but that has all changed now that it's our only form of communication. I look forward to waking up to texts, hearing Trav's voice, and getting pictures  (even if they are of compressors, other oil field toys, and dead animals) through the day. And that, is something to be thankful for.

T is for Texas

T is for Texas.

The state I am so thankful to live in. 

The state that provides sunsets like this:

And experiences like this:

Home to the funnest (most tiresome) month you'll ever experience:

Home to this precious man and his cute fam:

George W = cutest pres ever.

And home to some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet! 

Also, the location of this University:

That provided 4 years of memories including countless pics like this:

this never gets old. priceless.

My eduction that got me here:

And my connection to this cute boy:

This stud says it best:

 There wouldn't be no Alamo,
No Cowboys in the Superbowl...
No "Lonesome Dove", no "Yellow Rose",
If it wasn't for Texas.

I wouldn't be a Willie fan.
Nobody'd swim the Rio Grande.
I wouldn't be an American,
If it wasn't for Texas.

Fort Worth would never cross my mind,
An' there'd be no Austin City limits sign.
No Lonestar of any kind.
If it wasn't for Texas.

If you're not from Texas y'all, get here fast! You won't want to leave! 

I hope it's not just Texans that a can write an entire post about why they love their state. Why do you love your state?

 

V is for Versa Spa

Oh, Versa Spa. For you I am thankful.

I SO look forward to our Friday afternoon date's each week. In just our few minutes together you remind me why I spend money on a tan in the same way I spend money on a meal you are a necessity. Truly.

I step into your chamber resembling this friendly ghost:

and come out looking like this:

Okay, so the Versa Spa doesn't actually perform miracles of this sort...unfortunately. But y'all I do love this invention, with my whole heart. Have you ever done one? They really are great for some weekend color. (and last pretty nicely until about Wednesday or Thursday) I also love the way my skin feels after wards. It really is like a spa treatment (plus a tan!)

 After I promised my mom I would never fake tan again (or lay out hours on end) I realized it really is in my best interest to decide on an alternative. No one wants to be lookin' like this....

Got other brilliant sunless tanning options? I'm all ears! Let me hear 'em!

HH with girls tonight and Nutcracker Market with my mom, Trav's mom (they're finally meeting! I am SO excited!) and my bff Casey tomorrow!

If you're heading to the NM this weekend....HAPPY SHOPPING!

B is for Besties

Meet "everyone", otherwise known as my best friends! 

Everyone except Ash who's too lame "busy" to join us on our trips.  And really that cute boy is single (and fun and has a great job and really pretty eyes) Any takers?

We're basically the cast of 90210 (the original one, not the new one that I watch even though it's lame) minus the drugs, and scandals, and drama. We have been best friends (with an addition of spouses through the years) for more years than I count but somewhere around oh, 15. Some a little more than 15 some a little less...but you get the idea, we've been around each other for a long, long time. I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Ever traveled with a huge bunch of friends? It's not always peaches and cream, in fact, I've had a couple pretty terrible trips with a few nameless people before (I am certain I'm not alone on this, some people just aren't meant as travel buddies).  But with these guys...it really is always perfect.  No arguments, no fights, no drama....ever. Seriously. As far as I'm concerned the only time we get annoyed with one another is when someone from the group can't hang out with us for various logical (usually) reasons.  And that's only because we want to see each others cute faces as much as poss!

Is it strange to you that we have been friends for so long? Some people think it is. Most of my friends from college don't even speak to anyone they were friends with in high school, let alone elementary school.  That to me is strange! We always looked forward to coming home for the holidays and seeing each other!

 Surely, a post devoted to the boys and their funny antics and gayness man crushes they have on each other is coming up down the road. Rest assured,  I have plenty of stories and pictures for this one.

But let me focus on my girls for a bit. 

I could tell you why each one is so special and what they add to our group but I won't. Simply put, I love these girls!

And then there's these besties from college. I WISH I got to see them more. They are SO very missed every single day! Luckily, college memories are on my brain all the time, so even if they're out of sight they are never out of mind!

 

I have zero doubt in my mind that we will be in each others lives forever. And the girls will still be chatting about stuff the boys could really careless about and the boys will likely be creating some off the wall game that is sure to have a billion different rules that no one except them will understand (oh, and they will most certainly be wearing the same shirt).

U is for Uggs

These are a few things I am thankful for...



Oh, what's that you say? Only 20 year old sorority girls walking across campus to their next class wear gym shorts, uggs, and big t's?

Big fat false.

Hi, I'm Mandell. I wear uggs (pink ones sometimes), and gym shorts, and long sleeve fraternity t's (dating back to probably 2002 and 2 sizes too big) and I desperately wish I was still in college run errands like this.

And when it's cold enough (and even when it's not) I complete the look with this:

fleece or puffy vest or the obvious North Face or Patagonia fleece
I could never choose which I love most.

Judge away.

When will I feel too old to sport such collegiate things?? Hopefully never.

S if for Second Chances

Meet Travis.

The boy I dated briefly and broke things off with.

The boy who took me back.

My thanks for this is unending.  When I realized I had made a huge mistake I waited painstakingly by my phone for the familiar sound of a returned text (December 22nd to be exact, I remember these things - ha!).  I thought if he still cared enough after 5 months that's all it would take. I was right. The moment he responded and I had a chance to explain myself I knew my life had changed forever. This time I knew we were in it for the long haul.

...and he came just the way I like them! Big (lineman big - my favorite type!), strong, red headed (yes, love this!), so so sweet, sincere, goofy, strong willed, southern, smart, and all mine!

Most importantly he believed in us since day one and he always has the right thing to say when the distance gets to be too much.

Our first ever posed picture together (just last month!) and this is the face he makes...

Love this boy!

Has a second chance ever changed your life?

F is for Fall Back

I don't know about you but I LOVE the time change! There is something so cozy about the nights turning dark earlier, walks with my sweet pup in the dark evenings, and who doesn't love the extra time to see all the holiday lights while shopping around for the ones you love (and maybe yourself too)?

Highland Village lights...my absolute favorite street to drive down!

Ahhh, sweet Christmas lights....even if you are are up and sparkling before the little ones dress up for annual trick-or-treating, even if you are up before we give thanks in November, that's just fine by me.  You serve as a constant reminder to people that the seasons have changed.  A constant reminder that we should all take a second to count our lucky stars, to be a little kinder to the check out lady, and a little more thankful for the money in our pocket used to purchase minty, hot, red cup, concoctions. You truly renew spirit in people who may have lost it during the long months of Houston summers.  You also make me feel it is ok to wear cardis, boots, and scarves even though it is still 79 degrees out. And that, I am perfectly ok with.

Are you thankful for the time change?

V is for Vet

I'm spending this Friday night in bed with my babe (the furry four-legged one).

She is finally home from what I'm sure were 24 of the worst hours of her life...poor baby. I think we're both so happy to be doing nothing together tonight. And I know she's happy to be allowed on my bed (hence the comforter circa 1991).

I am so thankful for the vets who fixed my Mill girl. What I would have done without her in my life I am not sure.

When I picked her up from the ER this morning she was rocking this pink bandage...

The second we got to her vet she, being the 50 pound lap dog that she is, crawled up in my lap. After her first ever night alone (this spoiled dog has never been boarded thanks to my awesome parents!) I was happy to have her sitting with me! At that point I was fairly optimistic but still so worried to see what our vet, the one we actually know and trust, had to say.

He wanted to keep her there the rest of the day to continue treatments.

In the mean time, I ran up to school to find the sweetest surprise!

An envelope full of precious notes wishing Millie well! Their sweet 5 year old thoughtfulness brought tears to this teachers eyes (as if I hadn't cried enough already!)

When I finally picked her up we were both so excited!

You would've never guess this girl was on her death bed just a night earlier by the way she was hanging out the window. I guess a little fresh air really can cure the soul!

I was excited to see they gave my burnt orange and white pup a little red for the big game tomorrow! Mill def didn't want to look like a Longhorn this weekend so she asked me draw a Double T on her bandage. I happily obliged!

So here we are. Home, happy, hopefully healthy, tired, and so, so, so thankful.