She's all growed up

Isla insisted on a "friends" party this year.  

And since she is now 7 she had to have it her way.     

THE PARTY

isla and her besties at BUILD-A-BEAR.

THE CAKE at Gannah's

THE WISH

She's my one and only girl and it breaks my heart to see her grow up.  I can still remember our first day together in the hospital.  I was dead tired but could not sleep.  For the first year of her life I felt as though I had won the lottery.  And, truly, I had.  

This year isla quit biting her nails cold-turkey so she could get her ears pierced.  Our previous rule was that she had to be 8 years old but told her if she didn't bite her nails for a week, she could have pierced earrings.  She did it.  No cheating. No problem!

She loves to read and write.  And her favorite thing to write is SONGS.  

She also is the best big sister to Macrae and Rhett.  She helps out with anything they need.  And I recently taught her how to change diapers.  

Memorial Day-cation

 I will be with these people, doing something (sort of) like this on July 4th too...

All photos taken by my talented sister, Kjrsten.  She also happens to be showcased HERE.   

And by the way, you should VOTE for her!

Some things have happened

a few months ago i was having daily headaches/migraines.  life was stressful and difficult. so i started seeing a massage therapist who was amazing and ultimately led me to a chiropractor who put my body back into alignment and i started to feel better.  the headaches were gone, life was normal.  but a couple weeks ago, they returned.  sure, i could have gone back to weekly massage and chiropractic care.  but i am a busy mom.  and honestly, i just couldn't see myself living my life hitting up two appointments every week for the rest of my life.  so i decided to make some other changes.  i also live with anxiety.  and i started researching how what you eat can effect your body other than just in terms of fat/muscle.  sure, many of the studies i have read contradict each other.  everyone has their own theory on whether or not veganism or vegetarianism or raw foodism or whatever is healthy.  and i am neither one nor the other of these things.  i am trying to cut out things that have preservatives and chemicals in them.  i just want to live without headaches and anxiety.  so i changed my diet a little here and there.  and it's working.  i haven't had a headache in 2 weeks.  i'm not strict.  but i'm working on changing some of my habits.  i hope not to become one of those weirdos who won't eat at family functions.  you know what?  who cares anyway.  one thing is for sure.  i love to cook.  i love to bake.  and i still love food.  but my world is changing here.

(sheesh, don't think i'm all weird. last saturday i ate all kinds of deep fried zucchini and other shameful appetizers.)

here are some of the recipes i like:
a salty snack
a chocolaty craving
a summery salad

oh, and i can go a day or two without a single sip of diet coke! gasp!

Spring Recap: Little Slugger

she got her dad's genes. lucky girl!

Spring Recap: Tball BABY

he's only 3.

and he's a little baseball player now.

Secret's Out!

this is how i get my tan...

(click on image to buy)