Fence & Tree

Monday, January 30, 2012

Will you accept this rose?

Shocking, I know, but I am diverting attention from the beloved Chris Harrison to write a quick 'un.  I'm writing mainly to share a few vitally important things with you that our lil' familia learned this weekend.  I know you all find this highly entertaining, so here goes...


1. Those mushrooms you've totally been neglecting in the backyard, well, they could actually be highly desired and delectable oyster mushrooms.  Don't kill them.
Looks totally nasty; tastes totally awesome
2. When the to-die-for adorable twin boy next door asks you to show him your "circus toy", entertain him.
No longer just my go-to party trick...
3. The newly-discovered smoosh face, as we like to call it, is so annoyingly adorable, you can hardly stand it.
smoosh face [smoo'sh feys] :: noun
And finally, 4. Never, ever, ever mix Drain-O with high-octane sulfuric acid to clear out a clogged drain line [hellooo doggie treats, a month's supply of baby food, and paleo muffins!].  It can and will cause you to evacuate your home at 10:30 in the PM.  Update: the house is still standing, all five of us are alive, my house smells awkwardly clean, and the clog is cleared!


Back to "the most dramatic rose ceremony, ever"...
xo!, me

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Easy Life

Last night, Ben and I [sans Teigan] went out to a shindig for our friend, Mike, who is heading out to Germany to be a JAG.  Yeah, a JAG.  How cool and insanely respectable is that?  Ben and I have discussed it many times, but Mike is the kind of guy you want in that position and representing our country.  He will SO be missed, but we are so proud of his pursuits and to be able to call him our friend.

We then headed out to a great venue we've never been to, Relix, so we could see our friend, Brent, along with his siblings, play some mu-zak.  I have to say, I knew it was going to be good, but Brent [not Brett or Britt], totally and completely blew us away.  Range and talent was insane.  Energy was contagious.  Written [and sung] word was blissful.  All in all, great night, and we can't wait to see Brent perform again!  Just do me a favor, Brent, and don't forget us little people when you're all big 'n famous, mmmkay?

Oh, and I drank a Blue Moon last night.  A whole one.  I think Ben fell in love with me all over again.  Many thanks to Alexis and Rush who took care of Teigan last night and got some Baby 101 training as they prepare for their little lady in May!

A little late-night-totally-awkward-angle-Teigan-laughing-video for your entertainment...

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Naleigh Moon

I absolutely adore Josh Kelley.  This love started about, ahem, a dozen years ago when I begged Haely, Angelica, and Meredith to hit up Deep Ellum for a show I was just dying to see.  They had no clue who he was, but I promised it would be fantastic [thank goodness it was].  We hopped in ol' '92 Integra and hit the open road.  We got there early.  He sang.  I melted.  We made out.  Oh, wait... that last part didn't happen.  Well, not in real life, anyways.  I saw Josh a few times in Texas and every time his performance beat any expectation.  

Well, when I moved to Tennessee I was beyond disappointed with the live music scene [at the time; this has since changed].  So, when I heard Josh was playing in Chattanooga on a random Tuesday night, well, you know we were there.  We got there early.  He sang.  I melted.  I danced.  A lot.  Josh and I made out.  Okay, again, didn't happen.  But, Josh did make me a ring out of a dollar bill, put it on my left hand, and told Ben he needed to do this himself - and for real.  It's no wonder Ben proposed to me by playing and singing Home to Me, one of Josh's originals - and one of my all-time favorites.  Love.

Josh was in Knoxville a couple months ago and things were just... different.  He still sang.  I still melted.  And I still made out with him in my head [Love you, Ben!].  But now we're so much older, married, and have precious little girls.  So, Josh started playing this song and, no kidding, tears took over.  Big time.  Kind of the ugly cry.

Here's to all of the little girls out there that found our arms not a moment too soon and made us see past ourselves at just the right time.  Introducing Naleigh Moon...

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Workin' Mom Problem!

Dear Diary,


I have a problem.  A massively, painstakingly, overwhelmingly serious issue.  It's quickly starting to take over my every thought.  My every move.  My every feeling.  How do I handle this... this... addiction?  I feel so good when I think about it.  When I look at it.  When I like it.  It gives me inspiration, motivation, and desire.  I can spend hours with it and it feels like mere minutes. 


Deep breath.


Diary, how do I walk away from... Pinterest?


PS - I hope all of you said the title of this blog in your head with the same tone as our favorite little Jersey Shore messes - "Meatball Problem's!"

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Business of Cute

Oh, hell... Teigan is 8 months [and four days] old!  NUTS!  It's not beyond the realm of reality that I need to start thinking about a one-year birthday party.  Are you kidding me?  Good thing tissue paper will suffice for serious-fun-having-for-the-lil'-chica...


Anyways, Kathy [Ben's mom and a ridiculously multi-faceted and talented artist] has really been on me to take some time for myself and explore my creative side.  I know it's there... it's just gone into serious hiding these past ten years, or so.  I'll get there, slowly but surely.  Anyways, my first homemade onesie... Teigan's "in the business of cute"!

Peace, Love, and Thin Mints.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thursday thoughts

So, nothing in particular, but just a few thoughts/life lessons from these past few days:

  • Your baby starting to wave and clap is pretty must the cutest thing, ever.  You know, until she does the next cutest thing, ever - tomorrow.
  • Turtlenecks don't always serve their purpose.  
  • Music can make or break any moment. Example: Nat King Cole = amazing all the time; angry Korn somehow showing up in a chill playlist while working with other people in the room = awkward
  • The perfect girls night consists of delish pizza, to-die-for salad, ahhh-mazing cookies, great gossip - oh, and the cutest little ladies [and their babies]!
  • Wearing kill-the-roach-in-the-corner stilettos without any sort of "sock" in sub-30 degree weather is cold... and stupid.
  • Yoga is going to be my new release on my lunch break.  Boss' orders.
  • If I ever become a cruise ship captain, I'll try not to focus more on my date when the boat hits land and then "trip" onto a safety boat when my ship, and hundreds of people, are sinking.  Sheesh.
  • Tires are expensive.  
  • Keep it light.  I'm mostly referring to my coffee... the more cream, the better, when it's 5am and you're headed to work.  Ugh.
  • Starbuck's caramel apple cider is my new best friend
  • I'm going to try my darndest to never buy ridiculous, expensive gifts for Teigan [note: copious amounts of Lincoln Logs and Legos are the exception] as all she really cares for is crap.  Well, actually the bag that holds the diapers that carry her crap.  Exhibit A below...

!,
EBS

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Game night!

It's the tutu twins!
One of our favorite things, ever, is a game night with our friends.  As most of you are aware, I'm what one might call a wee-tee-tiny-bit competitive... no?  


Anyways, we didn't get to stay nearly as long as we would have liked yesterday evening at Mark & Sam's adorbs casa, but it was great to get back into the swing of game night again [post Teigster].  It was merely a sampling of future game nights to come, but you better believe there was still plenty of yelling, screaming obscenities, jumping up and down, and getting far too amped up over words such as ginger, Big Ben, and All-American during the best game ever, Catch Phrase.  So. Much. Fun!


Team 1 fo' life!
Sam gettin' into it, while Mark is thinking about his 'stache.
T helping Ben
Nothin' like the engaged couple on different teams - "give me 2!"
It may not look like it, but I was clearly screaming here... look at T's scared face!
Of course Diva brought her own wine glass, complete with real-life boobs attached...

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Naps


nap 

verb, napped, nap·ping, noun
:: a brief period of sleep, especially one taken during daytime

Dear Teigan's nap times,
Where have you gone?  I know that Teigan is fighting you, but I need you to win this war.  I know she secretly loves you and gets through the day much better when you visit, but she's having a love affair with staying up all day and neglecting you.  Just do us a favor and come back for your twice-a-day visits soon, mmmkay?
Love, Ben & Erin

Thank goodness she is still rockin' her 12+ hour nights.  Here's to hoping that will never change.  
Ahh, the good 'ol napping days...

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Hug O' War

Even though we all know Teigan is a total genius, let's be honest, she won't be reading books for a few years.  Did that stop me from purchasing Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein a few months ago?  Nope.  

Anywho, I couldn't help but flip through it tonight and reminisce about my ol' favorite book of children's poems.  I came across one that struck a cord...

Hug O' War
I will not play at tug o' war
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses
And everyone grins
And everyone cuddles
And everyone wins.

Ah, to have a child's innocent, all-embracing, inquisitive mind again.  Wouldn't it be nice... for everyone to win?  I think that rarely happens in life.  

Except, of course, those folks who compete in homemade cherry pie-eating contests.  I mean, even if you don't "win", you totally "win".  It's pie.  Homemade.  Cherry.  And you're eating it.  WIN!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Lovin' that lemon!

So while we were at dinner tonight with our little poodles [Ashley, Donald, and Tucker], Donald thought it would be a good idea to see how Teigan liked lemon.  We, of course, thought she would pucker up - and hate it.  Take a look at what happened...
And, no kidding, she sucked on that piece of lemon the entire rest of the night.  Is it too early to predict Sour Patch Kids as her favorite candy?

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Shorts & tank top... it's a H-town Christmas!

So, back to Christmas, I wanted to continue with our many holiday travels.  After going to Chi-town to see Ben's side of the family, we flew to Houston to spend Christmas evening the next few days with my family.  We are so excited to have Mom and Dad move to East Tennessee in the next year or so, but Ben and I are really bummed that we won't have their current home to retreat to.  We feel so relaxed there... but, I'm sure that has all to do with company and mindset rather than a foundation, wood, and brick.  Anyways, the days spent here can basically be summarized with the following words...


1. Family
Teigan and Uncle Matty
Dad and Matt
Me and the Mamasita
Yes, that's a strapless sun dress on December 30
2. Friends
Auntie Kat & T
Laura, Jeff, and I... way too long since our last reunion as a three-some
Meredith & I pre-dance session in the middle of Memorial Park
3. Playing :: See Ode to Scramball.  When we weren't playing Scramball, we were non-stop playing with Matt's new remote-control helicopter, getting mani's/pedi's, playing with Skeeter & Scrubs, watching Teigan crawl around [backwards], hot tubbin', and playing with Dad's awesome train set.
The opening of the coveted remote-control helicopter [good call on the gift, Kathy!]
4. King Tut! :: Yeah, we totally went to the Museum of Fine Art to check out the King Tutankhamen exhibit.  It was amazing.  Who knew they kept body parts inside sculptures?  So bizarre, yet wildly fascinating.  We couldn't help but think about what people would think of our lifestyle 4,000 years in the future...
King Tut wanna-be's
All in all, we had a relaxing, much needed Christmas break - in all three cities.  We are so thankful for our wonderful families who take us in - teething baby, and all.  We love all of you!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

"30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself"

Happy New Year!  It's hard to believe it's been 12 years since the original day the world was supposed to end [upon the clock ticking midnight to the new millennium].  There have been several more "last days" since then, and many more to come, but I just can't get over how quickly time is flying.  Yikesters.  

Anyways, I came across the piece below today on a friend's facebook page... totally worth reading and I'm not one to usually pass things along like this.  Definitely a good thing to check out for a new perspective and fresh start for the new year.  Originally hailing from www.marcandangel.com, here are "30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself"...

  1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
  2. Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on.  No, it won’t be easy.  There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.  We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems.  That’s not how we’re made.  In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall.  Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.  This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
  3. Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself.  Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.  Read The Road Less Traveled.
  4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.  Yes, help others; but help yourself too.  If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
  5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you likeeveryone else.  Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
  6. Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
  7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.  Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success.  You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
  8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.  Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
  9. Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire are expensive.  But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
  10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either.  You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.  Read Stumbling on Happiness.
  11. Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.  Evaluate situations and take decisive action.  You cannot change what you refuse to confront.  Making progress involves risk.  Period!  You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
  12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises.  Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
  13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely.  It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.  There’s no need to rush.  If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
  14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet.  Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
  15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others doing better than you.  Concentrate on beating your own records every day.  Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
  16. Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.  Ask yourself this:  “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
  17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you.  You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough.  But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past.  You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation.  So smile!  Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
  18. Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart.  You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate.  Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.”  It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”  Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself!  And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too.  If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
  19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
  20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway.  Just do what you know in your heart is right.
  21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
  22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.  The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
  23. Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.  Read Getting Things Done.
  24. Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile.  Don’t take the easy way out.  Do something extraordinary.
  25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while.  You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well.  You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears.  The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
  26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
  27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out.  But making one person smile CAN change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus.
  28. Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy.  One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time?  Three years?  Five years?”  If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
  29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen.  Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story.  If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
  30. Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.
Quite honestly, I hope to work on all 30 of these this coming year.  I am still a work in progress and it never hurts to spread my wings, limit my focus, and work my ass off on being a better person each and every day.  With that being said, I think my main focuses will be #'s 7, 22, 23, 25, and 27.  In fact, I'm totally going to be that girl and print them out and tape them to my mirror.  It can't hurt, right?