{just my luck}

Today was my lucky day!

I got to spend my day with these BEAUTIFUL ladies . . .

As well as these BEAUTIFUL ladies . . .

Jealous???  That's what I expected.  Sorry!
I'm just lucky like that.

I don't always have perfect luck . . . I only had my iPhone camera (and they still look gorgeous!).

What did we do?

Just boring things like make-up counters, shoe department, clothes, lots of laughs, made plans for the BALL . . . picked up a few books to help with our upcoming trip.  Nothing too interesting so I hope you aren't feeling left out.  We really wish you'd been there.

India's 12th birthday will pretty much be FANTASTIC after shopping today.  She's getting some REALLY great stuff.  I know because Kelly & Rachel helped me find the PERFECT gifts.  (They also kept India entertained so I could make the purchases!)  

It was SOOOOO fun!

I did promise to show you what my sweet Laura gave me yesterday . . .

Isn't it beautiful!  I LOVE crystal bowls. :)

She actually gave me TWO!  The second non-identical bowl is also beautiful! I even took lovely pictures of them together.  As luck would have it, I ran out of space for pictures in Blogosphere.  I have no idea if I can delete extra pictures but I did purchase MORE space!  Guess what!  Luck . . . it "may not be available for 24 hours."  Apparently, they were serious and I'm out of space.  You will have to come back to see the lovely pair.  Laura is ever-so sweet and thoughtful.  I'm so glad she thought of me when she wanted to give them a new home.  She claims she wasn't using them . . . I will!  What should I serve in them first?

{an eclectic day}

Here I am posting about my day after midnight!

Thursday was nothing like what I had planned but it was still a great day.  My blog still looks the same (and so does my house).  Sometimes life gives us something better.  That was a tough lesson for me to learn. 

 Many years ago, I was a very busy girl with three little boys and big ideas.  I had a sweet friend and her children who would visit us EVERY afternoon.  Their visits coincided with Nolan's homework, cooking dinner and a myriad of to-dos.  It's embarrassing to admit but I NEVER stopped for their daily visits.  I was happy to see them and would visit with my friend while I continued with my tasks.  She would follow me around my house or sit and visit as I worked on whatever I was doing.  What was I thinking??  (I previously mentioned I'd never be a Hostessing Diva.  Please don't act surprised by my behavior.)

Then, I got sick.  I got really sick and was in a lot of pain.  By the end of the day, I was often wheelchair bound and in tears.  My friend and her children came to visit one afternoon after I had begun to get better.  I sat in the living room and as we began to visit she said, "Now you HAVE to sit and visit with me."  OUCH!  I deserved that!  She has since moved away.  What a dear friend to teach me a lesson I've never forgotten.

Time is the great equalizer.  Regardless of health, wealth, or interest it is the one thing in life that will always be fair - everyone has 24 hours in a day.

Today my mother-in-law, sweet Laura, came to visit - ALL day and she's staying the night!

I'm glad I changed my plans.  We visited!  We went to the Resale Shop!  We even stopped to visit with my mom and sister while we were out!  We had visitors for lunch!  (It got crazy so she went and sat by the pool.)  Too bad I didn't get more pictures!

The missionaries stopped by and shared our LEGENDARY "Mickey Sandwiches".  Six missionaries added to my crazy crowd is always a party!

I'm definitely not a hostessing diva.  I didn't care when my sweet India brought out snowman plates . . . in March.

It's been a FABULOUS day!  We had more visitors drop by this evening and I was thinking - it's ALL GOOD.  Tomorrow, I'll show you what my sweet Laura brought me!

{my blog and distractions}

It's Spring Break and I had BIG plans! 

The week is not over and I still have hope. 

My internet was having technical difficulties until late last night.  (*sigh* Sir Thomas is my hero!)

 I'm just now getting to blog for the first time this week. 

One of my BIG plans was "operating" on my blog.  

I still need to learn how to do so many things! 

Not to mention, I want it to look really great!

Some of the distractions:

1. NO internet

2. Cute kids

3. Pesky pets

India is a #2.  She's abetting a #3.

Can you see why we are distracted?  Raja is TOO cute and India is smitten.

She would much rather attend to Raja than anything on my list!

(I actually sympathize.)

Rambo is NOT my dog.  He is a #3 and belongs to Keaton.  

My problem?  He wants to be a lap dog - my lap dog.

How I wish I had crazy photo-editting talent.  Can't you picture me with Rambo in a cute cozy around my neck like India and Raja?!?!?

Rambo thinks he is like Raja.  Dog = Dog

He stays under my feet, keeps his head in my lap, and begs for attention.

Blogland impressions of me are important so I included the pictures of me smiling . . . making him look endearing.  Rambo, please go find your boy now.

Problem #1 has been corrected and I hope #2 & #3 are willing to cooperate! :)

My fingers are crossed!

{missionary moments}

We love having the missionaries live behind our home!  

I could create and entire "missionary moments" blog 

. . . and it would be AMAZING!

This post is not just about our backyard missionaries.  There are three sets of "elders" living in our area along with another great companionship living in Orange.  

These are real people with real birthdays so we like to celebrate! 

Saturday, March 5, was Elder Orndorff's birthday (pictured on the right).

His companion, Elder Kemp's birthday was Monday, February 28.

How cool is that?!  Birthdays in the same week!

Saturday morning, March 5, was Birthday Breakfast time!

These are not "our" backyard missionaries but we're so glad they come over anyway!

(Everyone has to love the inflatable birthday cake!) 

Such a great group of guys!  We count our blessings that they not only tolerate Rambo but seem to like him!

Not everything went exactly as scheduled.  Sir Thomas created a delicious breakfast quiche . . . which wasn't ready on time.  :(   Never fear!  I served store bought pastries for "First Breakfast."  Does that make me a REALLY BAD hostess or just a BAD hostess?

I should clarify.  If I had my own cooking show I would title it: "The Distracted Chef". 

I get terribly distracted when I cook.  I always intend to come right back . . .

Sadly, I have found myself exercising and wondering what was burning.  Dinner!?  I ONLY left for a moment to start a load of laundry.  HOW did I manage to end up exercising while the food burned?

So, India presented them her precious handmade cards.  Then, we sent them off to be missionaries while we got everything ready for "Second Breakfast" . . . to be served around the time of a traditional lunch. ;)

While the quiche finished cooking, I made myself STAY in the kitchen to make cookies.  I'd been promising Keaton some homemade oreos and this appeared to be a great day to make them.  

Homemade Oreos are my kid's favorite!  

I should make them more often.

I always make the UGLY kind but my darling friend, Janene, rolls hers out so they're PRETTY. 

Who doesn't want to be like Janene??  Exactly!  

I rolled my cookies.

(You can visit her lovely blog and make her cookies: Super Yummy Homemade Oreos)

(P.S. She's currently on vacation and I didn't get permission first but I'm really excited because this is the first time I've copied a link!!!  I feel successful!)

This blog is probably too long anyway so I won't post ALL the pictures from "Second Breakfast" but at least these guys didn't complain!

Happy Birthday Kemp & Orndorff!  I hope your wishes come true!

Some days I feel really lousy.  

No, Saturday wasn't perfect.  I served homemade cookies instead of homemade cheesecake.  

Check out the styrofoam cups!  Nice.  

I'll never be a diva! 

"First Breakfast" was a bit of a disaster, 

thankfully we had enough salsa to garnish the quiche for "Second Breakfast."  :)

Yet, it's still a really great life and these guys are so amazing!  I thank them for showing up, smiling, and always coming back for more of our craziness.  

If missionaries knock on your door . . . let them in!

{beautiful skin, beautiful make-up, beautiful girl}

16 days.  Yes, in 16 days India will become 12.  

She is SO excited!  (I am too!)

Tradition = wearing make-up at age 12.

There are so many things a girl should know:

WEAR suncreen daily, DON'T WEAR too much make-up, 

KEEP your skin clean, HOW to apply make-up, 

WHERE to buy make-up, DON'T share mascara,

WHICH brands are good brands, WHAT colors are best . . .

India is beautiful and has such precious, beautiful skin!

There are so many fun cosmetic brands and counters to visit.

It could be hard to decide where to take her for some girly fun . . .

. . . not for us.  We have Alicia!

Alicia is SO fun to visit with and knows EVERYTHING about skin care and make-up.  

The best thing of all - she shares her expertise!

Alicia makes a girl feel like the princess she is and REALLY listens.

We went to Alicia's today and had the best girly fun imaginable!

India has literally been counting down the hours until her "appointment".

She learned so much about cleaning her skin, 

keeping it moisturized, 

and wearing SUNSCREEN daily!

The magic of being a girl!

Alicia is beautiful and understands true beauty.

NEVER hide behind make-up.

India was happy to learn that magic tip!

India LOVED this day!  Isn't Alicia amazing?!

I'm SO grateful we had this fabulous opportunity.

Having a girl is so much fun!

Her make-up just enhanced her natural beauty.

She's glowing! (And not just because of the make-up.)

Alicia made her feel wonderful!

India is a really happy and confident girl. 

Thank you Alicia & India for helping me have such a wonderful day!

You are both BEAUTIFUL!