Another good visit

It's Monday and I've decided to treat Monday as an equal. No more Monday prejudice. It's a new me, a new leaf if you will. 

Besides how can I be bugged that it's Monday when we just ended a good weekend. 

Good because my parents came for a visit. 

Of course we were so glad to see them!

So glad that I ditched them the first night and headed to Nashville. I KID.

 These plans had been set in motion long before my parents said they were coming down, but the kids didn't mind one bit that they got to hang out at the hotel, and I was extra grateful for an entire night, sans children.

Saturday we ditched the stinky boys and us girls put a hurtin' on the retail world.

But honestly the best thing is just having them around.

We miss being near our families.

And I'm very grateful for each and every visit. 

Love my family!

Day-to-Day

 Just sitting here thinking about where we are this week and the latest goings-ons. In general our days are just the same day-to-day, with the occasional wrench thrown in. The same day-to-day thing can get tiring can't it?  I'm working on contenment. Be content ALWAYS, not sure why that one is so difficult, I guess because I'm a selfish creature. Be content with the day-to-day...

But let me tell you what brightens up any day, FINALLY receiving a picture of Jaclyn holding Camden. NO joke, I was beginning to think that I just made Jaclyn up in my mind. I mean it had been like three weeks since I had seen a picture of her, that's ridiculous Jaclyn. But I proudly look at this picture of sweet Jaclyn and smile. I can't wait to see you guys again!

Another fun spot in the week?

Uh, new boots.

Hope's first pair of REAL cowgirl boots, and she could not be happier about it. I totally don't blame her.

Sometimes all a day needs is a good book. Right?

And then there are times when a scarf can just put the dippity-do-da in your day-to-day routine.

But if I'm ever just needing a good laugh, or a little pick-me-up in my typical day-to-day life, I have found my solution.

I look at this picture of our friend Matt and instantly I'm cured.

The end.

I'm guest posting! G's uncomfortable truths

Today I am guest-posting over at Katherine's blog.

Kat does a regular series called uncomfortable truths, where she regularly "outs" herself about things that are....well, uncomfortable. It's a funny series and I do believe probably one of her most popular.

So imagine my delight when I was included in an e-mail that asked me to submit 5 of my own. But delight quickly turned to anxiety when I contemplated what to share, and just how much to share.

But Kat assured me they were funny, so here goes nothing.....

Read here.

Never too tired to bust a move

I guess it was around last September that Brittany mentioned to me that her cousin had asked Brittany if she would photograph her wedding. 

Brittany said yes, and then asked me if I wanted to help. 

Sure!

Fast forward a year and then it was actually time to happen, and not gonna lie, I was scurred. Like, way scurrred! A wedding is a BIG day, a big moment to get just right. Of course Brittany is the expert and I knew that I would just ride her coat tails all day, but still. SCARED. 

And also wedding pictures are just so different these days. It not the traditional just stand here and smile  while your mom fluffs your veil, oh no. These days it goes something like this:  let's capture you running through the fields of Lilly's while the sun sets right behind you and a butterfly lands on your eyelash, and then your husband embraces you. 

Of course I exaggerate, but it's close. 

Brittany and I joked all day how much we wanted to get married again so we could have these sort of pictures! Geesh.

But as a scrolled though some of the pictures I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement that I captured some of these moments....

Brittany has been a great teacher.

And I have learned a ton.

And after 12 hours the cameras finally stopped clicking.

It had some stressful moments, but overall I had a great time.

And although we had sore backs and feet, the two photographers ended the night on the dance floor getting down. NEVER TOO TIRED TO BUST A MOVE.

Flashback Friday! 1982 and so awesome.

Just in case you need a pick-me-up on this fine Friday, look NO FURTHER, because what I have right here is golden. 

Gretchen, circa 1982. 

Part boy, part pilgrim. 

ALL AWESOME. 

Happy Friday guys.

A breakup of sorts

What's that saying about it takes 21 days to break a habit?

Yeah, that's the saying.....it takes 21 days to break a habit. Duh.

And what is that Chicago sings?

You're a hard habit to breeeeeak.

You see what I'm getting at? I'm trying to break a habit. A Diet Coke habit. 

If I were in therapy I'd tell you that I don't remember when I started my habit, but that it's been in my life as long as I can remember. I'd tell you that it understands me, and I understand it. I'd tell you that it makes me feel good and that I don't really want to quit it. 

But yet I do. 

Listen if you drink it, I'm not saying you shouldn't, I'm just saying that at this point in my life I'm attempting to make better choices. And I know in my gut that this stuff isn't good for me. 

I haven't had one in 10 days, so I'm banking on that 21 day rule thing, which means in 11 days I will be drug  Diet Coke free. Even though I suppose once an addict, always an addict?

But I will have you know that I used to smoke cigarettes, I KNOW, RIGHT? And if I can quit those, SURELY I can quit this.

But I miss you D.C.. and your fizzy goodness, I just do. And as I pass you McDonald's and don't stop, remember it's not you, it's me. 

AND IF YOU SEE ME WALKING BY AND THE TEARS ARE IN MY EYES, LOOK AWAY, BABY LOOK AWAY.....

Great weekend.

Whenever Tracey and I get together, it's almost always predictable. 

You won't find us going skydiving or anything. Even though I think I might skydive for a MK bag or watch. 

But yes, we are predictable. 

Some might say boring, but I say awesome. 

Food?

CHECK. 

Pedicures?

CHECK.

Shopping?

DOUBLE CHECK.

Fun time out with our sweet friend Brittany?

CHECK.

But ladies and gentleman I am here to let you all know that T and I actually ventured out our bubble for a change and mixed things up a bit.

We got up Saturday morning and went to the gym.

WHAT.

In all the years that we've been friends we've never worked out together, so heading to a spin class was a foreign concept for us. But it was fun.

And Tracey let me try out her heart monitor thingy, and I seriously want one now! Check it out, 601 calories in spin. BAM. That helped me out a tiny bit when I consumed 8 million calories of Mexican later that day.

And there was also this one other thing I needed us too, and it strictly fell under the "you are my best friend" category.

GO WITH ME TO MY KIDS FALL FESTIVAL.

  Oh joy for T.  But the kids were tickled pink! Can't you tell by Hope's pained/freaky expression?

It's one thing to watch your own kids climb and bounce...

But T waited patiently.

It's safe to say that she loves us.

Crazy and all.

But the feeling is mutual.

And to make up for showing that other awesome picture of her the last time, I will now redeem myself.

Great weekend?

CHECK.

What's not to love?

 It's Friday morning, which means I'm scurrying around the house like a mad woman trying to get myself to work on time. But I know that on this Friday I will have a little extra PEP in my my step, because I have a visitor this weekend.

We have no major plans, but that's okay...

We just enjoy each others company, and are content to just be.

I'm blessed to have a person in my life that has never once criticized me, understands my snarky humor, has a huge heart for Jesus, and has fabulous hair.

I mean, what's not to love?

My little face buddy

Well I finally heard from the dermatologist, and I'm happy to report that my biopsy results came back and it is NOT skin cancer. 

Here's the lowdown:

"Hello, Mrs. Bush, I'm calling to give you the results of your biopsy. First of all, I'm happy to tell you that it's not skin caner. So, good news!"

"Oh yes, good!"

"It's something called, flifaflifaloofa"

(Or at least that's what I heard) 

But what she technically said was, folliculitis.  Which is just a big fancy term for inflamed hair follicle. 

I was of course relieved to hear that my little buddy is not any form of cancer, and I guess I was just busy thinking, SHEW, so I forgot to ask how long this little buddy of mine might stick around. 

Here we are, weeks later and it's still here. 

So I've decided I'm just gonna embrace my little face buddy and make it a part of my life.

Blossom forever

Last week I received word that Hope was chosen for 'Leader Of The Month' for her class. 

Color us all excited at that news.

Hope cried a lot last year in kindergarten, so going into first-grade I just wasn't sure how the year would go. But so far, it's been AWESOME.

She loves her teacher, she loves her classmates, and she's really excelling. So being chosen as the first leader of the month was a sweet bonus.

We loaded into the gym and waited for the big presentation.

It was all mostly smiles and excitement, but I do believe nerves started to set in.

Or maybe just boredom...

But all those feelings soon subsided.

(Like my ghetto cover-up?)

Yes, HOPIE-POO, you are the LEADER OF THE MONTH!

She was super pumped to get recognized, but after it was all said and done all she really wanted was to go be with her friends.

She scampered off into the bleachers, and I watched her squeeze her way in between her two best friends. And it was really weird to watch, like a little glimpse into the future.

She's always been a momma's girl, but she's also such a social butterfly, and I know that all too soon the friends will come before me.

Here they are, the three amigos at a birthday party this weekend. Seriously, I'm so happy that she seemed to have found her niche this year.

Praying she continues to blossom. Forever.