Heart Breaker

ChalkRidgeFalls_Girly Girl, originally uploaded by Life Happens.

Yeah, I'm not above a bit of bragging.....my little girl is a doll. I love how her hair shines in the light and how she gets a satisfied little smile when she is happy. I love watching her as she grows and develops....

Mostly, I can't believe that she is already 3. When did my baby grow up?


PS Dad, want an 8x10 of this one?

Welcome home!

So I had the chance to welcome some soldiers home yesterday....and it looks like I will be doing it again today. I''m just counting down the days till it's my turn. Even though it isn't my reunion, I'm filled with so much emotion....everything reminds me of Matt's last return so of course, I need to go buy some waterproof mascara!

This is a very visual reminder of how long the soldiers have been gone.... this little guy was born just a few weeks after they left......Fall 2006

20 things

20 Things

Nadine posted this and since I think she is so cool...I'm going to post 20 Facts you may or may not know about me...just 20 random things. If you have your own blog, I challenge you to post 20 facts too and then comment to me to go read and learn more about you!

My 20 Things

1. I have two middle names....and one is actually two squished together. I spelled it wrong for years until I saw my birth certificate.
2. I thought about having a home birth with my daughter...decided not too and almost didn't make it to the hospital.
3. I can't touch a dead mouse. Just the thought creeps me out.
4. I love to watch tv...but I rarely pay attention becuase I'm usually doing something else at the same time.
5. I teach Sunday School to 3 year olds
6. I fly on the trapeze
7. I can't sleep unless I read a book first...sometimes just holding a book is enough.
8. My closet is full of workout clothes and t-shirts but I can never find "adult" nice clothes.
9. Socks are overrated
10. I can read a book, no matter how long or big it is in a matter of hours (if it's good)
11. I probably check my email over a dozen times a day
12. I love to organize, but I can't stay organized.
13. I look really confident but I get overwhelmed easily.
14. I love to craft, but I don't feel like I am truely creative or unique.
15. I hate pie crust.
16. I love chocolote....I have a serious addiction.
17. I was a soldier as a way to waste time until I got to do what I really wanted (be a wife and mom)
18. Now that I'm a mom, I worry what I'm going to do with my life when my kids are in school.

19. I love to tickle my kids.
20. I hate the fact I have a son for only one reason. I have to stop walking around the house in my underwear.
20. I really do love my kids with all my heart and I couldn't imagine doing anything but being a wife and mom.

Short Term Memory Girl Strikes Again

So I woke up and realized that with Matt's recent departure that payday was on Friday...I was supposed to pay bills! EEEKKK!

I logged on, hoping that I could get everything paid before there was a late charge. Sometimes my bank can take a buisness day or two to get an online payment completed...or maybe it's the creditors? Anyway, I logged on to my bank account and .....


Panicked! There was nowhere near enough money in the account to cover our bills. What happened? How could we be so low the day after payday?? A little research cleared it up.

I already paid them.

I have absolutely no recollection of paying anything, but there it was in black and white. I checked my excel budget spreadsheet and there it was too. A payday fairy had done my work for me! (Short Term Memory Girl Strikes Again!)

I also realized why we ran out of money before Matt left. The silly payday fairy accidentally set the mortage payment to process BEFORE we were paid. Normally this isn't a big deal, since I *try* to keep extra money in the account, but with vacation and new wheels for the Goat...well, we don't have a squishy buffer anymore.

But we have more than I thought.

princess maddy

princess maddy, originally uploaded by life_happens.

Maddy is learning about the joys of dress up...I just love it!

A bit about me!

I'm the mother of 2 amazing, adorable kids and the wife of a soldier in the United States Army. I love my family and we manage to stay pretty busy! I consider motherhood my primary job and my family is the joy of my life!

After years of serving in the military, putting kids in braces and teaching yoga, I decided to open my own business with Photos of the Heart. I love my family and I am thrilled to be a part of other happy moments with loving families!

But, if you know me, you know that I love to do EVERYTHING! I love to fly on the trapeze, do contortion, yoga, tai chi, pilates, RUN! as well as sew, craft, read, paint, organize (although I'm not very good at that!) I've been known to repaint a room or remodel our house on the spur of the moment. I love trying new things and enjoying life with my family!

I also love chocolate. It's one of my biggest flaws, I will end my love affair with this dark, delicious stuff one day, but for now, I admit that I'm addicted!


And a few random shots of your's truly!



Yes, I was a can-can dancer!





I used to be pretty good at "stupid human tricks!"


My super Awesome little dude.


The cutest little midget ever.


The love of my life.....

You are what you drive? day7 8/22/07

You are what you drive? day7 8/22/07, originally uploaded by life_happens.

So due to someone at Home Depot being unable to look in their rear view mirror...I am currently driving this rental while my Odyssey is having $2000 in repairs.

I do have to admit...the rental company was great and they couldn't give me another van, so they hooked me up with a Chrysler Aspen. More car than I would ever care to buy or drive, but it's a nice vehicle for the week.

I am more grateful than ever for the little rear view camera in my van. For something that I never wanted in the first place, I am missing it so much! I feel awkward without that extra check before backing up. I also miss my GPS/map ! One more blessing that I didn't want in the first place that I miss!

I'm on tv.

I'm on tv., originally uploaded by life_happens.

So once again my bartering skills has proven worthwhile. I traded a massage for a brand spanking new flat screen TV.

What can I say? I think that even though I don't' want to massage all day every day for a living, I'm doing pretty good.

I get paid less than I thought I would, but I barter for 95% of my massages. I've traded for preschool, maid service, decorating services, haircuts and color, a hand-carved rocking horse, babysitting, and now for a TV.

So while I've not taken this particular skill to the typical conclusion, I'm grateful that I have this talent and I'm glad that I was able to get the training. I love knowing that I can help someone else and I really appreciate the ability to supplement my income...even via trade.

So this TV is more than a blessing in and of itself, it symbolizes that even though I don't have a "college" education yet, I have talents that I have worked for.

Investment

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