Out for Some Sky.

I had a "meh" feeling all last weekend. Just didn't feel great or motivated and maybe feeling a little stuck. For me some of the best medicine is a nice drive. I'm certain this stems from growing up in flat land... plus the fact there is really wasn't a whole lot to do back home so for entertainment we would drive around. And around. And around. I know a large chunk of my high school days were spent in Jillmarie's car on some gravel road around Williston or sadly, dragging main. Yes, driving around was the thing to do.

Thus my itch to get out once in awhile and see some sky through the passenger window. Thankfully last Saturday, Greg took Eli and I on a drive to a small town and we had an early supper (only ones in the sub shop) and a little walk around. Then we came home. We were probably gone three hours but it was exactly what I needed.


Pretty cool clock on the Newberry Opera House plus brick road:

He is a South Carolina boy after all! (this is the SC flag for you non-southerners):

Also, the funny moment of the day was when we decided to get some ice cream for dessert. The man was explaining the different flavors: "Sherbet, Chocolate, and here's a seasonal one" as he pointed to the pink one with the sign "Peppermint Candy Cane." That really should have been our first clue. We preceded to buy some Butter Pecan. I had one bite and knew that stuff had probably been in the case for a few too many months. Old sugar = so not tasty. We should have realized it's mid-March and their seasonal ice cream did not involve St.Patricks Day or Easter. They obviously don't go through a lot of ice cream. Lesson learned.


Yesterday Eli and I joined some friends at our local zoo. I had to share this photo of how CUTE he looks in these short overalls. And his "these flamingos smell funny" look:

I did learn that Eli is so much like his Dad (and me)  in that he is NOT a fan of the sun and being hot. He was just crabby in the stroller as we walked around the different animal exhibits. However when we took a break in the cool shade, he was happy as can be. Then mad again when we went back in the sun. And yes, he had a hat and sunscreen on. 

I told Greg over the phone "I forsee many family vacations to cold destinations, not the beach" and he replied "We can go to the beach, we'll just spend all our time in the hotel room."  Ah, yes, the perfect vacation for a family of red-heads.

-Heather

PS- Welcome to South Carolina, Sprummer. I know that it's Spring because there is a nasty yellow dust on everything, my car especially. And my nose is so congested. But I know that it's Summer because it's crazy hot and I'm dreaming of a pool. So I guess I'll just say Sprummer is here in full force. 

Madness.

In honor of March Madness...

And by March Madness, I don't mean basketball. March Madness refers to our family in China (Greg's bro, wife and four kiddos). Today is their anniversary plus Isaiah turns six on Friday, Sunday is Vivian's FIRST birthday, and next week is Matt's birthday. A whole lot of celebration for some dearly loved family!

The China crew will be back to the states next fall. We'll see them when they are down south plus over Christmas. I look forward to meeting Vivi and watching her run circles around Eli... actually all the cousins will probably be running circles! But I'm sure Eli and Vivi will have fun conversations and we hope a good friendship in the years to come. 

What a doll! Happy First Birthday Sweetie!

-Heather

Iron Fail.

My rug from Pro-Re-Nata that my mother got me for my bridal shower is now scarred. Mr. Iron decided to bungee jump from the ironing board yesterday. And for some reason my reaction time was delayed...

Blast!

-Heather

Big Cone.

My below post got me thinking about a yummy dipped cone. The last time we had DQ, Eli was really small. How small? About the size of this ginormous chocolate dipped cone: 

Nom. Nom.

-Heather

Blizzard.

If you are from North Dakota, then you know that there is a Blizzard season. It starts around the end of May and lasts through September. That's right. Dairy Queen is closed more months than it is open. And if you want a tasty dipped cone or dilly bar or DQ sandwich in the middle of January? Too bad.

Enter in homemade blizzards. I think Greg's sister Amy was the one that got us on these delicious copycat treats. They are ridiculously simple but they taste great. Definitely not like an actual Blizzard (I actually saw a recipe that imitates the DQ version but it was long and complicated and completely not worth it) but this version is still lick-the-cup yummy.

Three ingredients: milk, ice cream, Oreos. Directions: Put together in a cup and smash-stir until blizzardy. I took some photos of this awhile back but really a five year old could do this.

You can use "less fat" ice cream without compromising the taste.

Regular Oreos are good but MINT Oreos make this amazing! I heart mint chocolate!

Helps if you have a sweet guy to mash up the blizzard for you.

Not going to win any "best looking dessert" awards.

But who cares! This is delish!

Now down here DQ is open year-round. Crazy! But there's only two: one in a mall and one in a gas station and they only serve a limited menu. If our homemade blizzards don't hit the spot, however, it's good to know I can get a real one if needed!

Seriously though, try the mint. Your mouth will thank you.

-Heather

PPC.

I believe I would be a stellar addition to Angela's Party Planning Committee. Really. I love to plan parties. I love details. I love coordinating. I love celebrating. I love themes. I love, love to plan. I used to get paid to plan events. Indeed, I am a good planner.

So of course I had no idea two years ago that I wouldn't be getting to plan my daughter's birthday parties. I distinctly remember a time after she died when I realized there would be no parties for her. Not long after I was at Old Navy and they had party supplies on clearance and I bought a bunch of lanterns and napkins and plates... a sort of retail therapy.

Last year that first week of April was rough. No fun pink and brown cupcake party was to be had (though we did eat cupcakes!). The same will go for this year. Our girl will not be entering her terrible twos with a fun party. And on top of the mom in me, the party planner is just plain disappointed.

Granted, little kiddos don't need extravagant parties. They won't remember them! It's a bunch of hullabaloo for the parents, really. But because I so badly wanted to plan Maelee's parties for years to come and I didn't get to... well, her brother is going to have a way over-the-top first birthday party.

I started planning last month when I was working on Maelee's album. I found that after a night of going through photos, I was worn out. Grieving is exhausting and depressing. So I would "treat" myself to planning Eli's birthday party the next night. I started buying a few supplies at craft stores when I had coupons. And Pinterest is full of ideas. Full. I didn't need any help with theme or colors, however, I've had that set since last summer!

Don't worry, I'm keeping it small. But it will be way too detailed. I'm just thrilled to be celebrating a whole year with our boy come the end of April. Getting to do this is makes the planner in me giddy... and silly as this seems, it's a bit like healing balm to my soul.

-Heather


Maelee, sweet daughter of ours, we wish you we here starting your last month before turning 2 and loving on your little bro.

Smiles and Towels.

As I recall what it was like to want motherhood so badly, I am humbled to be in the midst of this role. I love this kid. Here's a photo taken this afternoon, me with my sweet boy!

This is Eli looking at his daddy who was making fun music:

Bath time! I remember when our friend Mollie sent us these towels after Eli was born and I thought "they are so big" and now... now they fit just right!

I love weekends!

-Heather

Done.

Yesterday I clicked on a link (shopping for a few things online) and somehow got a nasty malware virus on our computer. It was so sneaky. It made it look like a Windows program telling you something was wrong... but I knew something wasn't right. I then spent the next hours and hours trying to make it right again. We're talking into the bowels of the computer... command and registires and other such crazy things. I at least stopped said virus from taking over the world computer. When Greg came home, he spent more hours and hours tweaking and making everything back to normal.

I'm a fairly computer savvy person and I have no idea how non-techy people's computers survive. Really. And the fact that there are people out there making viruses to rob you or mess you up... that's just pure evil.

I am telling you this because it couldn't have happened at a worse time. We've had this computer for three plus years and I've never run into this sort of bull. But the day, the very day that I need to put the finishing touches on Maelee's album and get it ordered... that is the day this happens. Were there tears? Yes. I was so very frustrated. I used a program which stores photo projects on your computer, not on their site. Meaning I couldn't work on it or even have the files if my computer wasn't working. For awhile there, I wasn't sure if the book was completely lost or  not.

Thankfully all was righted and I worked on it late last night. I had until today to order it but I didn't want to take my chances. I ordered it last night. It's done!

Is it perfect? No. But it will be so nice to have. And my gracious husband leaned over and said to me last night, "You can always do another one" after he listened to me worrying about how it will turn out and wondering if I remembered to add everything. It's 82 pages... I sure hope so!

I'll let you know when it arrives and my final thoughts. I may even do a post about photo book sites... I definitely have my favorites and my opinions on them.

-Heather

PS - No joke... just as I was about to publish this post... Firefox crashed. Thankfully blogger saved this little draft. Must.Get.Off.Computer.For.Sanity's.Sake.