The Help

I was probably the last woman in America to read "The Help," but I started it on my birthday a few weeks ago and finished it on Monday. While that may not seem impressive to you, I'm in the middle of sleep-training an infant, so the fact that I've squeezed reading into the small windows of time that could have been spent sleeping, eating, or bathing is really saying something. It was worth it.

If I'm wrong, and YOU are actually the only woman left in America who hasn't read "The Help," you should. What a beautiful, brave story. "The Help" is Kathryn Stockett's first novel, and I'm afraid she might not have thought things through before passing this little gem along to her publishing company, because seriously, how is she going to top it next time? Her character development is so rich, and the interplay between them is both funny and heart-wrenching. It's been a long time since I've both loved and loathed characters so deeply.

Last night, I went and saw the movie. Although the sets and costumes were like cotton candy for my eyes, I missed so many of the details included in the book. Still, for the $5 movie ticket, I was really glad I went.

In short, you should read "The Help." Or go see the movie. Or both.

Living the Dream

This morning, I received a text from a friend that said, "So, I got pooped on TWICE, spit up on multiple times, dog was covered in mud from backyard... All before 11 this morning! BUT we made it to the donut shop! And the sweet lady carried Ellie all the way to the car for me... She must have been able to tell it had been a rough morning."

I laughed (because what mom can't relate to that?) and responded to the text with, "Ha! Just another day livin' the dream!"

It's true, my days are filled with poop, drool, laundry, bouncing, rocking, and books. We spend lots of time staring at the same toy, pointing to shapes and animals and colors for the hundredth time. Working outside of the home was definitely more mentally stimulating, although being home is challenging in a completely different way. As an event coordinator, I put together events for 500 people. These days, I feel good about coordinating a trip to the grocery store without a major meltdown (from Ben or me). Most days, I'm lucky to be showered before noon. I call Tim several times each day just to have a little adult conversation to carry me through a few more hours, but Ben sits on the counter and jabbers to me as we measure out ingredients and put dinner together. He is such a sweet, smiley, messy, loud little side-kick.

God designed a mother's heart to puddle at her baby's smile, and just one of those little smiles makes the messy days and the sleepless nights worth it all.

I love the way my friend Allison, who stays at home with her little one, Madeline, put it: "Our days are simple but rich, I believe." As mundane and exhausting as some days can be, we really are living the dream. What an incredible blessing to be able to spend every day with my child- an answer to a prayer Tim and I have prayed for the last several years.

The line.

I would love to be thinner, but not if it means limiting my ice cream intake. Everyone has to draw the line somewhere.

Drapes

Now that I'm officially a stay at home mom, I'm itching to change a few things in our house. I haven't done much in the way of decorating in a while, and everywhere I look, I think, "Hmmm, that could use some updating..."

Now that I'm officially a stay at home mom, we are down to one income. That doesn't exactly bode well for my redecorating fund. Nevertheless, I'm dreaming and surfing design blogs and getting inspired to find some things I can do on the cheap.

I love traditional decor. I want my home to feel comfortable and cozy. I like plaid, stripes, quilts, rag rugs, dishes on display, and warm colors.

For several years, we had some red striped curtains in our living room. They weren't as bad as they sound. They were red and cream and khaki, but they started to look a bit circusy to me, and Tim said they looked like dorm room curtains because they were tab-tops. I washed them once and they shrunk quite a bit and were pretty squatty. Wait, I just found a picture of them.


Okay, they were that bad.

While I was still pregnant, I decided to replace them. Our kitchen and living room are open to each other, and our kitchen is painted a pretty buttercream yellow that makes me really happy. One day, I drove to the design district in Dallas in search of some buttercream colored fabric that would pull the yellow from the kitchen into the living room. I found some, purchased six yards, and came home to make drapes.

Word to the wise: You should NEVER, I repeat, NEVER make design decisions while hormonal. At least I shouldn't. It's like getting a major haircut on a whim. Just. Don't. Do it.

The fabric was a little brighter than buttercream, and by the time the light came through it, it was closer to school bus yellow. I added some dark brown grosgrain ribbon to tie in the pillows on our couch, but alas, these curtains could not be redeemed. Good thing the fabric was cheap.

One of my neighbors told me they remind her of a taxi cab. She's right.

Down, but not defeated, I'm determined to right this hormone-induced wrong.

I love buffalo check. It is versatile and classic, and when used properly, pretty chic.












As much as I love the look, one must be careful about the color and scale, or your living room could end up looking like a cheap motel room in Idaho.

Don't let this happen to you.

While perusing the Calico Corners website the other day, I found exactly what I was looking for- a large, taupe buffalo check. I already had the address to Calico Corners plugged into our GPS when I glanced at the price- $43 per yard. Say WHAT?!?

What are the odds I can make fabulous drapes with half a yard of fabric?

Swooning

I don't know that I've ever seen a prettier wedding than this one.

Those flowers. That dress. The cake. The flowers. The flowers.

I'm swooning.

Even Better.

One year ago today, I woke up early and headed into work for this:



President and Laura Bush showed up to welcome 150 troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. The soldiers walked off the plane, started shaking hands with the crowd of people there to greet them, and were TOTALLY shocked when they laid eyes on a face they were very familiar with. What fun to watch, and meeting these two was the honor of a lifetime for me.


I didn't think the day could possibly get any better.

I got home from work that afternoon, exhausted from the early morning and the excitement of the day, but randomly decided to take a pregnancy test. I didn't even have a good reason to, but I did. I set the test down, went into the closet to get changed, and casually glanced at it as I started toward the kitchen to make dinner.



My day got a lot better. I'll never forget the way my hands shook as I picked up that test to stare at it, or the way I had to try and play it cool when my mom saw me later and asked me what was wrong. The wonder of knowing that there was a precious little life growing inside of me. I had a secret that no one else knew. Just me, and God. What could be better?

Then, I got to tell Tim.

We shared that sweet secret. What an unforgettable, life-changing day. How could it get any better?

One year later, this morning, I have this little thing sitting in my kitchen eating breakfast with me.


It's even better.

Suckers

To all of my friends who have taken in a pet because it is good "practice" for having a child: Just wait.

Summer Bliss.

We just returned home from two weeks of vacation with my family in Montana. For as long as I can remember, we've gone home to Montana every summer. We soak in breezy nights with the windows open, cool, lush grass, ice cream sundaes, and tons of time with grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

In many ways, this trip was no different.

In many ways, it was very different.

Ben had his first flight and was a total rockstar! Out of eight hours in the air, he may have spent a total of four minutes fussing. He slept some, played some, and was otherwise just pretty content. He definitely earned that tiny pair of wings the flight attendant gave him.

When I got off the plane and walked out to my grandparents, I was greeted with the phrase, "There he is!"

We added another seat at the breakfast table.
I love that this picture makes it look like Ben is eating a massive plate of bacon.

Even with a three month old, we still did most of the things we love to do on every visit.

We enjoyed an afternoon at Gibson Park.

Swung by Giant Springs, where Mom and Dad got married.

We went to the Farmers Market, which is one of my very favorite things to do in this small town.

We ate at Taco Treat.

And dipped our feet in the cool creek.
Let's just say, Ben didn't appreciate it as much as I did.

There was an air show in town while we were there, so the blue angels spent three days practicing right over my grandparent's house. Although it made napping difficult, it made for a great, extended show. Ben and Grampa sat outside and watched them fly.


Tim went camping with my dad and my brother for three days, and Ben and I were there to see them off.

We also spent several days at the resort we visit with Mom's family each year. It was so fun to introduce Ben to a place that holds hundreds of memories for me, including the spot where Tim proposed eight summers ago. We enjoyed the pool at the resort.

And the petting zoo, too!

As usual, Grampa force-fed me dozens of gallons of ice cream in the form of Chunky Monkey, chocolate chocolate bars, and sundaes. This may or may not have something to do with the reason I named my child after him. I've destroyed all photographic evidence of the aforementioned activity. It's a wonder I didn't require a seatbelt extender on the plane ride home.

Ben made so many sweet memories with family.

Blueberry pancakes with Uncle Anthony.


Breakfast at Eddie's Bakery with Aunts and Uncles. My Grandma used to work at this bakery in the 1940's, before she married my Grandpa.


Uncle Steve spent lots of time with Ben and even snuck him tastes of beef stroganoff and salad dressing when I wasn't looking.


Ben didn't discriminate. He snuggled with uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents.






Sure, this year wasn't as relaxing as years passed. I didn't sleep in, get to read much, or lay around by the pool, but this year's trip was so much more full. What a blessing to watch my child enjoy all the treats that were packed into my summers in Great Falls when I was growing up. Yes, in many ways it was different, but in many ways it was the best summer yet.