Little Boy Paradise

Kaden's new room is probably my favorite in the house right now. It is so bright and cheery and I love being in there. He loves it too, which boosts my pride a bit. I have been collecting things over the last year to decorate it, and so far, I am loving how it is turning out.

The pictures didn't turn out great because there was so much light coming in the window. I am definitely not complaining about that.

So, here it is:

I've still got to find a twin bed frame, but the little man loves the big boy bed. He will actually stay in it all night.

This toy bin is awesome. It's so easy to see what he has, and to clean it up afterward. He is slowly-but-surely learning to help.

I love that little red rocking chair.

Claiming his territory...

Well, we finally moved. HALLELUJAH. I'll post on that later.

For now, I'll leave you with this little treat.


Whilst unpacking the never ending boxes, I realized Kaden was in his new room with the door shut, being awfully quiet. This raises suspicions in the mommy of a boy.

So I paused my monotonous task and peeked into his little room. Instantly, my eyes teared up and my nose burned from the fumes. Kaden, standing on his new big-boy-bed, stepped aside and happily revealed his masterpiece.

"wook momma, puupple!"

Seeing and smelling the permanent marker in his grimy, fat fist, I slowly said, "no buddy, that isn't purple, it's black. It is naughty to write on the wall."

"uh oh.." was all he said. I whimp-ishly slapped his little hand and firmly said "No."

Seeing mommy seemed sad, or upset, or some undesirable emotion, my little man said, "awwwww momma, I saawwy, come on." He embraced my head in his arms and gave me a sweet hug, kiss, and patted my back, saying, "awwww...'sokay momma".

How can you get mad at that?

You can't. You just can't.

Sledding with the Ladies

Susan, Tiff, Lori, Theresa, Me
I love to hang with these cute girls from church when I have a break in the schedule. We got together to go sledding and laughed our you-know-whats off. It was a blast. I love that we are all different ages, but can still relate, laugh, and have fun.


Susan flyin' down.

Tiff trying not to let her bum fall through the hole!

Taking a break after the big climb.

Becky and Cru

These are a few...

Of my favorite things.

I am so glad that it doesn't take much to make me happy. I am content with simple things. I get excited about silly stuff, and I love to love things, and am quite sentimental. Most of these things are soft, cozy, and warm. Perfect for winter.

These are a few of my obsessions as of late...and if I were Oprah, I would throw a party and get these things (that I personally can't imagine life without) for YOU.

My "sweater boots". Am currently OBSESSED with these and wear them almost daily. My mom calls them the sweaters for my feet. They are the most comfortable things I have ever worn, go with anything, and keep my feet nice and toasty (which is a hard thing to do this time of year).


Hot cider...the fresh, straight from the apple kind. Warms from the inside out.

Tobes. Cute, soft, cuddly, and even smells good.

My shoulder pack. It's organic and full of yummy-smelling essential oils. I got it from my work, and heat it up at least 3 times a day, and take it to bed with me every night. Sometimes it's on my neck, sometimes my back, feet, stomach, you name it. How did I ever survive without this thing?

SUNNY, winter days. I am okay with the snow, but I am a girl who literally NEEDS sunshine. I swear I shut down and get S.A.D. when it hides for too long. It's been beautiful for weeks and I am soaking it up.

The anti-anxiety, everything will be and is right, most excellent book. I read out of it everyday and it has literally changed me. Everyone, READ this, over and over and over again.

my "barefoot dreams" blanket. The softest thing on earth, and I am obsessed.

Sesame seed and tamari rice cakes and almonds. I eat them all day at work to my heart's content. If only I had my cider at work too...I could live off of this for a while.

Celtic Woman. UH-MAZE-ING. The most beautiful, pure, resonating voices I have heard. Their music is inspiring, uplifting, and brings peace and happiness into the soul. I am all about the get up and dance music, but I would trade all that for these ladies. I am serious, they are that good, and make me feel SO happy when I listen. I'm pretty sure they're angels.

Cute hats: Hide ugly hair, keep my head warm, and go with all sorts of things. I have been wearing these a lot.

So these are the latest and greatest winter loves. What are you especially into these days?

Date night with my mister

There is just something so special about date night. I seem to underestimate it since Matt and I spend a lot of time together. I figure we don't need a date night when we see each other so much. I still try to make it happen as often as possible, and when we do get out there is just a special feeling and connection. I have so much fun with him and we enjoy each other's company so much more. The other night we went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and had the most wonderful time together just talking, laughing, and being together.

I love this man.

He's a keeper.

We are loving Toby. He is absolutely perfect for our situation and our family. Kaden loves him and Toby is gentle, mellow, and so well-behaved. He is also fun and full of energy when we get outside. It was so much fun watching him race back and forth. I think he knows we "saved" him.


Matt even loves him and agreed to keep him "forever". Who knew? When we got married he said, "babe, we're not pet people"...but I secretly hoped to convince him otherwise. I am a manipulative and tricky little one aren't I?

He runs so fast for a gimpy little guy. It turns out that he broke both hips and a femur, and never got fixed so he healed on his own. Sad huh? I can't believe someone would do such a thing. He's so happy and I think he belongs with us.

Polar Express

My brother has been working on the train for the last 3 years and got us free tickets for the Polar Express. Kaden has seen the movie a few times and loves it (and so do we). So we bundled up and headed to the depot for our reservation. They have you wait outside and the music from the movie starts playing and Tom Hanks voice comes on the loudspeaker, "All Aboard! Tickets please, tickets!" The train comes around the corner in the dark, blowing steam everywhere; it really is magical.

Waiting for the choo-choo to come.

He was so excited, probably the most excited I have ever seen him.

Getting ready to board.

After we were on for a while, Santa came around and gave everyone a bell. Kaden waved his around the entire ride saying, "A bell, A bell." It was a really nice bell too.

The little man refused to sit down and looked out the window the entire ride. They played Christmas carols all the way to the "North Pole" and Kaden danced on his seat the whole time.

The the chefs came and passed out cookies and hot chocolate. The story played over the loudspeaker and we got to look at the book and listen to the narration.

It was all very magical, even for the parents. I loved going because it was a fun thing to do together as a family, but there was something so special about seeing the joy and excitement of a two-year-old. His happiness made Matt and I so glad we were able to go and to witness our little guy enthralled in the magic.