Memorable Quote of the Day

My Kellen got home from school today and told me about the Columbus Day activities that they did at school. 

He then asked, "Was Christopher Columbus a Christian?"

I replied, "I don't know buddy, why?"

His response, "Because it would be cool to meet him in heaven someday."

Capes and Ponchos

I have seen ponchos all over magazines for fall and winter.  I ignored this trend last year, but I think I like it this year.  With the right balance, I think they can look very chic and the bonus is that they look cozy and would be great for the holidays when you want to wear something that can grow with you from meal to meal.

A couple that I am liking:

Oh so chic, and I think it would be cute as a coat. 

Tahari Belle Capelet

Cape Sweater by Canna

Cashmere Blend Cable Poncho by Sabine

Pretty color and easy to layer for the entire season.  Would be great with leggings and boots. 

Caslon Cape Cardigan

I love this one!  The color, the lightweight, supersoft fabric, the price!  It will be mine!

Mossimo Women's Poncho

This one looks fascinating to me.  I want to see the length in person, but I love the brilliant color. 

Mossimo Cowl Neck Poncho

Will you be wearing ponchos this season or are you resisting the trend this season?

Conversation of the Day

So as I was getting my coffee this morning, Kellen was playing Super Mario Bros. and had a question about what it looked like when I played in my "younger years".  The conversation went like this:

Kellen: Mommy, in the olden days, ahem--when you were little, did they have little toads that you carried to the end of the level and they saved them?

Me: Contrary to your beliefs, buddy, I am not as ancient as you might think.

Kellen: I know mommy, if everything goes right, you could still have another 70 years.

Me: Thanks....

Oh, Rose Gold

How do I love thee.  I have happily jumped on the Rose Gold bandwagon and I hope that this is one that sticks around.

Here are a few pieces I am considering:

This is my ultimate wishlist item for fall.  I am in love with it, but I don't know if I can justify the price, given that it may not be a classic piece.

Michael Kors Runway Rose Gold Watch

A more budget friendly option...

Fossil Rose Gold Chronograph Watch

Neo Geometric Rose Gold Textured Necklace

Nordstrom Long Circle Link Necklace

M by MJ Turnlock Katie Ring in Rose Gold

Nadri Micro Pave Bangle

Do you like the rose gold trend?  Do you think it is classic or trendy?  Worth investing in?

Where were you...

when the world stopped turning on that September day? (lyrics by Alan Jackson)

I remember vividly, I was on my way to Geometry class when I walked across the Student Union and saw a plane crashing into a tower.  I thought it was on some Sci-Fi channel and that I was seeing part of a movie.  When I got to class, I saw a note that said that class was cancelled.  I walked back to my sorority house a little more quickly than I walked to class that morning.  When I got back, I found out and I remember I just sat down on my bed and tried to absorb it all.  I immediately called my mom and then my boyfriend at the time (who now happens to be my wonderful hubby).  I was glued to CNN for the rest of the day, probably the week for that matter.

So many things changed that day.

Since then:

I got married.
I had three wonderful children.
I got my elementary education degree.
I got a teaching job (my dream job).
I cannot hear airplanes overheard without getting a little anxious.
I fear flying and avoid it if I can.
I value friendships much more.
I treasure everyday with my family.

I thank God everyday for another day and for keeping myself and my loved ones safe.

We learned a lot about our country on that day.  We pulled together to help each other, to pray, and to cry for what was lost.  But since then, we have become stronger.  A lot has happened in ten years, but I am much more thankful for everything since that day, because I realized how quickly life can be taken away.

Happy Birthday My Wonderful Kellen

Mommy loves you with all her heart.  Thank you for blessing my life for the past nine years.

A few fall favorites

Here we go again, it's almost fall and I have been ready since the beginning of August.

A couple of reasons why I am looking forward to my favorite season:

Homemade Pumpkin Bread

This is the recipe I use

Pumpkin Spice Lattes

New Boots!!  Yay!  They are finally mine :)

Weather cool enough to do some crafty projects....more to come on that ;)

Trips to the pumpkin patch, playing in the leaves, I could go on all day.....stay tuned!

I'm feeling old

Ok, not really, BUT I do feel a bit "aged" to admit that I get excited every weeknight at 6:30 when Pat Sajak and Vanna White come on.  There is just something about this show that brings me back to my childhood and makes me feel cozy and comfortable.  It has become a favorite with my kiddos too!

Do you have any television shows that make you nostalgic?

Another school year!

Another school year has gotten off to a great start for us!  This also means that I have computer time again while the little one naps, which hopefully will mean more blog posts!

This year Kellen started third grade {gasp!} and Grace excitedly started first grade!

Here are a few pics from the first day:

We weren't sure what the change would bring to Karson's world as he lives and breathes for his "bro-bee and seesy" but he adapted quite well...and dare I say, he might actually be enjoying the undivided attention from mom and dad. 

One last summer fling

I am not quite sure where the summer went.  It seems like it was just Memorial Day and we were excited for all of the things that summer held for us.  We had a lot of fun and made a lot of family memories, but now it is that time of year--school starts next week.  So we decided to go out on one last adventure.

My Gracie Girl loved the rock wall and spent all of her tickets trying to get to the top.  I know she will do it next time; she got sooo close!

My Kellen loved the Go-Karts and spent almost all of his time rounding those corners as fast as the junior cars would let him go.

And Karson just enjoyed the scenery and went back and forth between bro-bro and sissy.

Me? An award? Woohoo!!

So I have always seen awards on other blogs and thought they were neat, but never thought I would be "cool" enough to get one!  Well, in comes my dear friend Nicole at Life by Nicole.


Thank and link back to the person who awarded me this award.
There are so many wonderful things that I could say about Nicole, but since this is about blogging, I will stick to that!  She is the reason that I started a blog in the first place!  I started reading hers and loved it when she would have a new post, so I talked to her about it one day and realized that it is a lot of fun and not nearly as difficult as I thought.

Share 7 things about myself!  This was part of the reason for the delay--I couldn't think of 7 things!! How pitiful is that??!?!?!

1.  I am a full-time mommy to three wonderful babes.  They are so full of life and I treasure them!

2.  I am very reserved...until you get to know me.

3.  I do not own a bicycle but I want one.

4.  My dad died after a hard-fought battle with cancer, when I was 6.  So I grew up in a house full of girls-two younger sisters and my mom.  You can imagine how different life is now that I have a husband and two sons.  But I can honestly say that I love, love, love the differences in boys, even though my Gracie and I are outnumbered.

My mom and my two younger sisters this past Christmas

5.  I am addicted to Bravo TV. (also thanks to Nicole)

6.  I LOVE sports and often tease my hubby that I am the man in the relationship in that regard!  You can count on me to be in front of the TV on Sundays during college football season and pretty much anytime during college basketball.  I get really excited about it!

7.  Ironically I am also the least competitive person I know.  I love to see my team win, but I don't get bent out of shape when it comes to competitions.

Send this award to 3 other bloggers:
Martha @ http://butterfliesdragonflies.blogspot.com/
Keli @ http://thestarspurple.blogspot.com/
Erynn @ http://roonfam.blogspot.com/

Snow Day Tradition: Monkey Bread

Over the past couple of years we have been blessed with a plethora of snow days.  I will never ever outgrow the excitement of a snow day.  And, just like when I was little, I love waking up to a fresh blanket of snow and watching the closings scroll across the bottom of the screen...even if it is almost March.  As a mommy though, it has new meaning--it is a guarantee of a snuggle day trapped inside with my very favorite people!

When I was little, we always made monkey bread on snow days (and often Saturday mornings just because).  Fast forward to when Kellen was in kindergarten, he made a cookbook for me for Mother's Day and one of the recipes inside was for monkey bread.  It was a different recipe than what we used growing up, but just as delicious.  I have continued this joyous tradition with my children, but now we use Kellen's recipe.

I had a nice little helper today, which made it taste just a little sweeter.

Getting our hands dirty!!

 Cinnamon + Sugar = Yummy!

 Making sure they are covered with butter.

The finished masterpiece: DELICIOUS!!

Monkey Bread Recipe (Courtesy of Kellen's kindergarten teacher)

Ingredients:

2 cans homestyle refrigerated biscuits

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 stick butter, melted

Combine sugars and cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside.  Cut each biscuit in half and dip one at a time, into melted margarine.  Roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture to cover entire biscuit.  Pile biscuits into greased bundt pan.  Sprinkle any butter or cinnamon sugar mixture on top.  Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Pull apart and enjoy!!

Spring Home Wishlist

Hello Friends!  Well, after quite a hiatus due to the holidays and then snow day after snow day, I think I am back!  It has been a busy (and cold) winter and I am ready for spring!!!

Shockingly I do not have one single thing on my spring wishlist that is wardrobe related, but I have several things I am eyeing to make my house cheerful and welcoming.

A couple of things that I am looking at:

Pottery Barn Gabriella pitcher



I am a big fan of the Gabriella pieces at Pottery Barn and these cute little pieces are no exception!  I love that they can be used as a pitcher or a vase and Pottery Barn even shows it on a decorative hook on the wall, which looks super cute!  One of these will be mine!

Pottery Barn Park Hill Windowpane Lanterns

I am also loving lanterns lately.  I have a couple darker ones that I fill with different things for winter, but I love the lighter colors in these and I can just picture them filled with little clay starfish or speckled eggs for Easter!

Script Pillows from Etsy


I have fallen in love with this style of anything!  I have seen it on lamps, pillows, wall art...I love it all.  I think it has such a romantic and cozy feel to it.

Anthropologie Latte Bowls


I bought these bowls in Seafoam last summer and they have kept my kitchen cheery all winter!  I love all of the color choices and the cute shape of these bowls just makes me smile!  They are also a perfect size for about anything...not too big, not too shallow.  Just.....kind of perfect :)

How do you update your space for spring?