Parenting Tips...

I am so glad I found these instructions for proper parenting before I officially have a little one...

I love the one with the dad cheering on the baby lifting weights! These cracked me up.

Happy Weekend.

Gratitude.

I've been meaning to post my gratitude lately, but have been a little bogged down by life's "challenges"...so now I need to do this more than ever.

1. Finding some adorable new things for the developing baby's room {will show room when it's further along}.


2. The majority of fruit being in season...I love that about summer.


3. The Sex and the City movie coming out tomorrow!


4. Hearing the ice cream truck come down our street every evening at 6 pm.


5. Knowing in my heart that this baby is healthy and strong...regardless of what any "test' says.

I'm a lucky girl.

Holiday Review.

We spent most of our weekend outside enjoying the amazing weather...it was like being on vacation without having to travel. Our Memorial Day celebration included grilling turkey burgers in 75 degree weather and music playing over outside speakers.

I love sitting under the trees while we eat...it was my dream when we bought this house. After dinner, we played a round of croquet with the new set J. bought a few weeks ago at Restoration Hardware.

Brooks enjoyed being in the mix and I was happy to be wearing my new turquoise rhinestone barrette. Accessories seem to be the only thing I feel like buying lately...

As J. put these flags in our front planter, he was thanked by the cute old man across the street.

It was a wonderful weekend and holiday.

Rain, Rain...

Brooks and I spent the afternoon watching the rain from our front window...it was magical and just what my soul needed. I can't remember the last rainy day here and it felt so refreshing and necessary. I love watching Brooks' reaction to all the action going on outside...he could sit there for hours.

While actually seeing rain and looking out at rows of citrus trees and greenery, I could pretend I am anywhere but AZ. I am so happy we get another day of this...

Baby Grace.

I've always loved philosophy products and since I've been pregnant, I can't get enough of the scent 'baby grace'. It's a delightful, soft, slight baby scent that makes me feel warm and motherly. I love the write ups on each of their products, and was especially struck with the saying on the lotion I just purchased:

"have a baby if you've ever wondered what your soul looks like. have a baby if you dare to feel the winds of heaven each time you feel their breath across your cheek. have a baby if you have it all and it's still not enough. have a baby if you have found your purpose but your purpose hasn't really found you. have a baby if you ever wondered what "mother nature" really means. have a baby if you need proof that God truly does exist......."

I can't wait to know, first hand, what these words are describing.

109??!?

I went out to run a few errands today and when I walked out of Target, I felt like I walked into an oven. I quickly threw my bags in the car and as I drove home, I realized that the thermometer in my car said 109! I couldn't believe it was this hot already! I came home left my bags in the middle of the kitchen, drank a bottle of water and laid on the couch where the air conditioner hits. I am not usually good at handling the heat, but now being pregnant, I fear it's going to be a long hot summer...

I've Been Tagged...

I've been tagged to do this by Keri and Laura...I love these.

Three Joys in My Life:

• My family and friends.


• This new baby baking away inside me.


• My dog, Brooks.

Three Fears in My Life:

• Flying on Airplanes.


• Losing people I love too early.


• Being in the middle of the ocean.

Three Goals in My Life:

• To raise happy, healthy, polite children


• To learn French.


• To be an exceptional gardener with a magic green thumb.

Three Current Obsessions:

• Finding out the sex of this baby!


• Getting the baby's room cleaned and ready for it's new occupant.


• Making our backyard a beautiful oasis with plants and vines growing everywhere.

Three Random Facts:

• I hate when someone pulls up next to me at a stoplight, with their windows down, and their blaring rap music drowns out my good music.


• I have always preferred sitting around talking and reading magazines with friends than going out and screaming at some bar/club.


• I love laughing so hard my stomach hurts.

Thanks Guys! I never get tired of these sort of things.