Bye Bye Ball!

Yesterday I went in and found these two in the bathroom...after I had heard the potty flush. They were both standing over the toilet looking in it, and looking quite suspicious.

I asked Asher if he had gone potty. He said no. I said, why did you flush the potty? And as Maddie was pointing toward the potty, Asher said, "Ball flush."

"You flushed a ball down the potty?" I asked indignantly.

"Huh." (which means yes.)

I asked again..."YOU FLUSHED A BALL??!!"

"Huh!!"

So, now worrying about our already old house sewage line, I asked..."A big ball or a small ball?"

In his cutest cock his head to the side and squint his eyes look, he said, "Ummm....'mall. Bye bye, ball."

"Yes, bye-bye ball," I said.

Brrr....

My 10 favorite things about it being cold...so far... I'm really a wimp about the cold, so I have to remind myself why I love this time of year.

1. my clothes don't sour when left in the washer too long

2. my son's first words about snow - "i see no!"

3. being able to layer clothes! i love layering.

4. planning winter day meals...and thanksgiving day food...and cookies....yummm...hot food.

5. sweaters.

6. hats.

7. scarves.

8. drinking warm drinks all day long.

9. seeing my kids noses get pink from the cold.

10. starting my Christmas shopping!

The Joy of An Hour

After a long day of toting things and kids to and from, and getting this and that, we finally arrived home at 3:15.    Both children were falling apart, and I knew they both needed naps.    So in this gift of an hour, I have not cleaned, I have not straightened.   I haven't even put away the bags of things sitting by the front door.    I used my hour in what may seem like a waste to some, as solace to me.    

Sitting at my computer, reading and passing on good cheer in the blogoshpere.   Because even when I don't get a chance to catch up, because of children being sick, or being too busy, or having too much stuff that clutters up my life, I still love hearing how you're doing.     It was much needed quiet, and much needed connecting.   Isn't that an oxymoron?   Not anymore.   

And now, the sound of my coffee perking, is the icing on the cake.    Not to mention, the kids are still sleeping!!

Secrets of a Sassy...Hats!!

Now is the time to wear your hats! They're so cute, and they give you such a fun look. I love how hats frame your face. Not to mention that I love how you can get away with a bad hair day and still look great!

Here are some that are hot right now.

Here are some that will never be out of style.

Here are ones that are great for snow and also super cute!

So there ya have it - or there ya hat it. Whichever you'd prefer...but just like those boots, just put them on! People say all the time, "I don't look good in hats." But it's such a lie! You just have to find WHICH type of hat looks good on you. So, find one right for you, and wear it! And don't think that your grandmother or mom doesn't have one that would suit, too - go search through their old things, and find yourself a newsboy cap or vintage wool hat that will still be great today!

Days Go By...

The weekend days always feels like my "days off".   Even though, I'm a stay at home mom, and my kids are still around, and I'm still the mom, for some reason I can allow myself  to rest a little bit more.    For instance, the house doesn't necessarily get cleaned as much.    I might even take a nap.   Or read a magazine.    The laundry piles up a little, and I'm not as on top of the dishes as I usually am.     I even play with the kids more.    So, what is it, that allows this restful mindset to set in?    Why is it that just knowing that the weekend is here somehow bids me a more laid back perspective?    

I think that being a stay at home mom is a wonderful gift.   A gift that is a choice, and is also filled with it's own share of troubles and anxieties.    And because the role never really changes, (for example, it's not like we have a choice about taking our work home with us) there has to be an outlet of when we take a break, or chill out a little more.    Somehow in my mind, the weekend days are my days off, too, just as if I were out in the working world and I couldn't wait for the weekend to be here.    I look forward to Friday, even though my job title will be the same on Sat. and Sun. as it is Monday-Friday.    I don't do my duties as rigidly, and I don't stress of always getting everything done in a particular timeframe.   Whatever it is, I'm thankful to have the weekends...even when the kids are sick and we have lots of things to do.   The trick is figuring out how to not suddenly feel overwhelmed when Monday rolls around, and almost hyperventilate from the junk and stuff that I relaxed about over the weekend.

Secrets of a Sassy...goes vintage!

I've been a little slack on my secrets lately. And I've probably started at least 3 posts since last week, and just haven't either liked them or had the energy to finish them. But I had wanted to give a little tip for today. I love things being repurposed and reused. And I love finding unique items to spruce up a house, an outfit, whatever it is. Last week, I noticed that almost every day, I had something on that was from an antique store or a thrift store, that to someone was too old to keep around. But to me, it's vintage wonderful! So, then, what's my tip?

Put a little vintage flare into your outfits. I know this is a little more artsy than just wearing a cute pair of boots or some beaded jewelry. And I think maybe it has happened for me more out of living on a budget, than just trying to be cool, but whatever it is, now I love it.

I love seeing that our styles repeat over the years and trying to find something at a thrift store or yard sale that could pass for a cute thing found in J. Crew. Take for instance my red velvet blazer. I think I paid $1 for it 4 years ago at a yard sale, but every year I love layering it with cute fall clothes. Or, my Jackie O brown alligator pumps. They always make my feet look pretty. Or some of those houndstooth blazers that are so in style right now! I think it's really neat to be able to continue getting use out of things, even when to some, they're old and gray.

I've always wished that my mom had saved a pair of bell bottoms, just so I could see how big they really were compared to the flare pants these days. What about you? Do you have anything vintage that you wear? Besides your mom's old zipper suit? Now that, I hope those never comes back in!

The Birthday Baby

a cupcake to start the day off always gets you in the birthday mood

I won't be able to call him that next year. He's not really even a baby anymore. Babies don't climb up steep slides and slide down by themselves. Babies don't bounce on trampolines and jump off playsets. Babies don't take themselves to the potty and ask for "privy" when they want privacy. But my baby does. He's a daredevil and a love all wrapped up in one, and he's been that way since the beginning.

He's been more joy than I ever knew what to imagine when I first held him in my arms 2 years ago. When we chose the name "Asher", we knew we were naming him "joy" and "blessed", to which he has lived up to in every since of the word. To be putting big boy underwear away in his drawer just feels surreal. Like I blinked and by mistake fell asleep, and now my baby's a big boy. I love seeing who he is becoming, and I am so thankful to get to be a part of it. When he kissed me goodnight tonight, he got lots of slobber all over my cheek, and I didn't dare wipe it off.

Happy Birthday, baby boy.

"Secrets of a Sassy..."

I love pumps. Peep toe or pointy toe, I think they have to be the prettiest shoe there is. They've been around forever but still continue to hit the runway. Recently, they've made a comeback in an array of colors to "pump" up your average outfit! Choose your favorite color - mine of course would be red- and match them up with anything.

They can actually be pretty comfortable these days, too, if you get ones that are wide base and wide heel. From jeans to skirts, and everything in between, you can make yourself feel a little more dressed up, just with a pair of pumps.

Do you have a pair of pumps? What color is your favorite?

Making My Mark

The alarm sounded at 5:45, and instead of being grumpy about having to get out of bed, I jumped up, and quickly got dressed. I hit "on" on the coffee maker to start brewing, and gathered my things while I waited for my hot beverage. I felt giddy, like a kid on Christmas morning.

As I pulled up at 6:15 to the street in front of the church where we vote, I saw the line of people bundled up already making their stance in history. Their voices were quiet, but their presence speaking quite loudly. I walked up, and said in a jovial tone,

"What time did y'all get here to be first in line?" The older African-American man answered back happily,

"Oh, about 5:30." I patted his friend on the back as I walked by and said,

"5:30! I'm impressed!" We chuckled and I walked on to the back of the line.

A few seconds later a woman walked up behind me and we said hello. Then we ended up talking for most of the time we were in line. A reporter showed up about 6:30 and was snapping some pictures, and a man was sneakily passing out flyers campaigning for his candidates.

Then, we all watched as a SUV drove into the parking lot. In trying to squeeze by the line of voters, the driver didn't realize she was about to scrape up next to a parked Jeep. We all gasped together when she hit it, and then let out another "oooohh" when she tried to back up, and just scraped it the other way. The man I had originally spoken with, who had been there since 5:30 came walking back, and very casually said,

"Hold on. Let me pull forward." After he moved his car forward, he said for her to not worry about it, that he thought his car was fine. I'm guessing hers was not. The woman next to me giggled and whispered, "It doesn't look like this is the first time that's happened" as we were on the opposite side of her car, and could see scrapes there as well.

A few minutes later, we were escorted into the building, and knew that we would soon make our choices, and go our merry ways. After 4 long years, now it would only be hours until we would all see the results of who America chose as our next President.

So, on went my day, of making breakfast, and dressing children, and of course stopping to get my free coffee for voting. Knowing all the while today is a day of making history.

Anxiety Dreams Turned Political

I dreamt last night that I almost missed election day. And when I finally got to the poll, guess who happened to be at my poll? Senator Obama. I went up to him and shook his hand and introduced myself. Then I let him know that I had been praying for Michelle and the kids, to which he was extremely grateful.

It's just so funny to me how when we are immersed constantly with figures in the media, in my subconscious it's like I know them. When Alias was on, I used to that I was Jennifer Garner, and was figuring out to deactivate a bomb, or something dramatic like that.

I'm thankful that our election is almost here and I'm excited that we get to participate. I get excited about election day, like I get excited about other holidays. And the way that I celebrate the day is by voting. (Which is why I can't bring myself to do early voting, even though it would sure be a lot easier). Like a friend said to me, if people in other countries can risk their lives to try and vote, we can surely make it to the polls by tomorrow. I'm thankful that we can trust in the promise that Jesus said, "You would have no power, unless it had been given to you from above." And, even though we each have our own choice of who we think the next president should be, it truly is God's decision. And He is our true Ruler, anyway.

"I Should Have Been A Great Many Things..."

That's one of my favorite quotes from Little Women, (the movie...it's probably in the book, since the movie is from the book, but I'm not the best at reading books, instead I like the movies). This past week always welcomes the question, "What are you going to be for Halloween?" And so the journey began. Our daughter went from option to option, thinking diligently about each choice. She first was set on a ballerina. Then a cat. Then a dog. A mouse. Then it changed to a rock star. Then, I guess someone at preschool was going to be a hippie, so she changed her costume to a "hippie-rock-star". She chose her outfit (out of her bottom drawer) and was a brilliant hippie rock star...on Thursday.

Then, on Friday morning, she decided she would wear her Belle costume so that she could be Belle for Halloween. My mom-in-law came and we had fun curling hair and doing make up and then hit the mall for a couple hours. She loved parading around getting oohs and ahhs from people and looking like a little princess. Then about half way through Friday, the costume was too itchy, and out the window went the Belle idea.

In the bathroom at the mall, she said very seriously,

"I know what I want to be for Halloween, Mommy." I acted surprised for the nth time, and said, "What?" Then she smiled widely, and said, "Me!" To which, I was so happy to hear. I smiled back, and said "That's the best thing you could ever be!" Of course, I was thinking, I'm not sure how we'll get candy out of that one, but we'll work on it.

So, the evening came, and we were back to ballerina. A beautiful ballerina. Asher was easy. He was a fighter pilot. The cutest one I've ever seen.

River and JC before trick or treating