Holiday Virtual Coffee

Welcome!

If we were really meeting for coffee today, I'd offer you a steaming cup of joe and have you join me on the deck so we could enjoy the fresh summer air.

I have to say I was super psyched for this weekend. I needed the extra day to get things done around here. flowers just don't plant themselves you know.

Unfortunately, my holiday weekend didn't start off on the right note. I made the HUGE mistake of going into work on Saturday morning, not to work mind you, just to use the pool so I could get some much needed training done. I had it all planned, ride bike to work, swim and take long bike ride home. Well, the first two items on the list went swimmingly (pun intended). Sadly, the last item on the list was interrupted by a verbal tongue lashing by someone at work that lasted over an hour, which threw off the timing for my bike ride, and it had started raining. My weekend was on the verge of being completely ruined.

I have a bad habit of letting other people dictate my mood. So, after this incident it took me a while to let it go, and move on with my weekend. B2 has no problem blowing this kind of stuff off, so he kept telling me to chill out, and he kept reminding me that "She's not ruining your weekend, you are." So, after about a bazillion deep breaths I was finally able to enjoy myself.

Has this ever happened to you?

The deluge of rain on both Saturday and Sunday didn't help the mood much either. Although, my sweet as sugar hubby took E with him to play bball on Sunday, so I got some quality time with G. Which was very nice. Even though G was obsessed with the rain and wanted to go outside.

Luckily the weather cleared by late afternoon on Sunday just in time for our BBQ. Great friends, drinks, steaks on the grill and smores - perfection.

Monday was weather perfection, and of course I had to spend the morning doing an errand for work. I took E with me as we made our way through the back roads of Iowa to the Old Creamery theatre in Amana. My work is sponsoring a performance there and I needed to drop off some brochures and a banner. As a special treat, E and I got the back scenes tour of the theatre. I tried to get E to sing me a song on the stage, but he was having no part of it. We will be heading back in a couple of weeks to attend the stage production of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" based on E's favorite book.

Initially I had planned on a long bike ride yesterday, but I wussed out (too hot, too windy). And instead we saw Pirates of the Caribbean. FYI, it was just so, so. A renter in my opinion. Have you seen it yet? If so what did you think?

Then I would tell you that in the last wee hours of this holiday weekend I FINALLY got some flowers planted. E thought he would help me water them.

As usual I bought more than I had pots for. So, a trip to Menard's is in my imminent future.

I'd love to hear about your weekend, so let's head over to Amy's and get our daily dose of caffeine...make mine a double!

Happiness: I Heart Faces

What is happiness to you?

For me it is watching my kids experiencing unbridled, uninhibited happiness. 

As I get older I find these moments hard find in my own life. Those times when I can just let everything go and just be HAPPY. No worries, no cares and nowhere to be. 

So, when I see my son experience such raw happiness. I want capture it, put it in a bottle and keep it forever. 

Happiness CAPTURED!

See more happiness at I HEART FACES during this week's people's choice photo challenge. 

A Nutty Sound Bites of the Week

Oh, I'm so excited. We have a long weekend. We have a long weekend...yippee!

I can't wait. Unfortunately, I have so much stuff planned. Plant flowers, paint front door, long bike ride and a BBQ with friends. So it will be a pretty tiring weekend, but fun nonetheless.

So do you have any big plans?

Well, let's close out the month of May with the Sound Bites of the Week.


3. "It will take them forever to plough through those ginormous chicken boobs."

Anyone who has seen the chicken breasts from Fareway, knows exactly what I'm talking about. If I had boobs that big they would call me Pam...that's Pam Anderson of course.

2. "My Boobs. My Chubbers."

Photos by MeBraldy Photography

Seriously, G is going to HATE his nicknames. We call him Boo Boo, so E shortened it to Boobs, and we also call him Chubbers. WOW! I need to think of better nicknames...poor kid. Did you have an embarrassing nickname when you were a kid?

And the number one sound bite of the week is...

1. "I think the reason those people are driving you nuts is because they have nuts in their belly."

Hmmm, well E everyone must have eaten a lot of nuts yesterday, because EVERYONE was D-R-I-V-I-N-G me crazy.

Well, thanks for joining me today. Have a GREAT Memorial Day weekend. And may the memory of those you lost be with you always.

Just Virtual Coffee

Good Morning.

If we were really meeting for coffee I’d have a double with a sinus pill on the side. My allergies are going C-R-A-Z-Y. It didn’t help that I spent the weekend outside, I always have a great time, but I know I’ll pay for it later.

Then I would tell you how the triathlon is less than a month away and I’m FREAKING OUT! When I did the tri two years ago I trained and trained and trained and trained…you get the point. This time all I’ve been doing is keeping up with Farrell’s and sporadically running, swimming and biking. Last night was only the second time I’ve been on my bike in a year and half … ugh! It felt good and I cranked out 10 miles in no time, but the tri route consists of HUGE HILLS, so I’m a little nervous.

A self portrait on the bike.

Scene from the trail

I did however head to Scheels and buy my race apparel. The last time I did a tri I borrowed a tri suit from my friend.

See all one piece, which makes it quite difficult to go to the bathroom, which you have to do like every five minutes because you are so hydrated. This year I’m doing a two piece with a cushion pant to help with the bike ride. Supposedly, you can just pee in this and keep on movin’ (I know TMI). But I’m not sure if I can consciously do that, but I guess if you gotta go you gotta go. Any other racers out there, know what I’m talking about?

I would also share with you that after not drinking for over a year and half, I went out with friends and got a little tipsy. Next morning, HANGOVER. UGH! I haven’t had a hangover in YEARS. WOW! I think once you reach a certain age (ie: over 30) Hangovers have a way of just lasting FOR FREAKING EVER! I drank loads of water, took two Advil and went out in the fresh air and gardened. Five hours later hangover cured. But I don’t think I’ll be doing that again anytime soon. Although, isn’t that what we all say. Ha!

Then I would share this beauty of a picture with you. Sorry it’s a little blurry and the lighting sucks, but this is what E decided to wear to school today.

It took all my will power not to force him to change. Actually, I had two shirts ready to go and E said “Nope mom this is my decision. I picked it out and this is what I’m wearing.” Well, there you have it Mr. Independent speaks.

So, how was your weekend? Hopefully, we don’t have anymore stormy weather. My heart goes out to all those people in Joplin. We were very lucky that all we had was hail and heavy rain. Did you have severe weather where you were?

I’m looking forward to the long weekend. How about you? I’m thinking grillin’ with friends, planting some flowers and just chillin’. Ahhhh…sounds good already.

Let’s head over to Amy’s for more caffeinated conversation.

A Winning Sound Bites of the Week

Good Morning Everyone!

Ok, again with more feeling GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!

It's Friday, TGIF, the end of the week...Hurrah!

In honor of our celebratory milestone giveaway I thought I'd share some photos from G's cake smash. I have to admit I was a little disappointed that he never ate the cupcake, all I could think was what a waste. But the photos are adorable!

Photos by Mebraldy Photography

Well, I'm sure you are all waiting on the edge of your seats to see who won this cutie pie Chunky Monkey Hat from Ellie Bellie Designs.

But first we need to do the Sound Bites of the Week...

3. "What's  Shakin' Bacon."

E said this to me last night before bed. Oh the things kids learn from school...thanks Megan. 

2. "We serve fingerish food here."

Casey is back! FYI fingerish food is another name for hors d'oeuvres. 

And the number one sound bite of the week is...

1. "The winner is JEN LECHELT."

Congratulations JEN please e-mail me and we will get you that adorable hat. 

I want to thank EVERYONE for commenting and entering my first EVER blog contest. And a VERY special thank you to Lisa from Ellie Bellie Design. YOUR HATS ROCK!

I think it went VERY well and my little helper did a FABULOUS job picking our winner. 

Have a great weekend. I hear we are in for more rain...UGH.

Time to break out the rain boots. Again...

A Mulligan Virtual Coffee

Good morning all!

If we were really meeting for coffee today, I'd offer you some leftover birthday cake.

Then I'd ask you about your week. So how was it? Did anything weird happen?

Last week was odd to say the least.

On Tuesday E and I rode an elephant at the circus.

Wednesday I finally got my hair done.

Thursday I tried Reiki for the first time. Have you ever done it? I thought I'd try it because, well I'm a tad super duper high strung. I pride myself on being very open-minded, but when she said she channels the spirit of Merlin the magician, I had to bite my tongue to keep from giggling. However, the massage was great and I felt extremely relaxed afterward, so we'll see what happens. If you've done it, I'd love to hear your experience and if it works for you.

Then I would tell you how I "failed" at G's birthday celebration. First of all I made invites, but forgot to send them out. I quickly called everyone a couple of days before and surprise, surprise almost everyone had plans for Saturday nite. Hence, the load of leftover cake. As for presents I waited till the last minute and picked them up after my Reiki appointment. Wait for it...wait for it...and I went to...Target. Along with the ten million other people in Iowa City, who obviously had nowhere to be because they were moving at a snail's pace. Oh, and I had jam the wagon I bought G in the back seat of the car over a carseat. Seriously, I looked like I was in a Three Stooges episode. I got home just in time to feed everyone and open a couple of presents before G lost it and started freaking out.

After all that, I felt terrible. When we decided to have another I vowed never to let him fall victim to second-child syndrome and unfortunately that's what happened. Grrrr...bad mommy. Has this happened to you?

Then to top off my crazy week my work computer almost caught on fire. Lovely.

I'm actually happy that it's the beginning of the week because I need a mulligan, and I'm ready for a new start.

*Quick side note. I'm having a giveaway this week. One lucky commenter could win one of these from Ellie Bellie Design.

Click here, say "hi" and you might get lucky.

Now let's head over to Amy's get this week started the right way...with a little caffeine and I'll bring the cake.

Milestone Monday & Giveaway

It's Monday.

A fresh start. 

A new beginning. 

We've had new beginnings and hit some milestones at our house this past week. 

Number two turned one on Thursday.

For a split second I was sad. My baby isn't a baby anymore. By the end of the summer he will be walking and talking, and those baby days will be gone for good.

Not this small anymore.
Photo by Luella B Photography

 Then...

We celebrated! 

Celebrated switching from bottle to sippy cup.

Celebrated independence.

Celebrated our little boy.

So since I'm in such a celebratory mood. 

I decide to treat one lucky commenter to one of these. 

Girl option available in pink and cream

I found Ellie Bellie Design through a fellow blogger and I just L-O-V-E her baby hats.

G has this one.

Here's more of her work. Isn't it the cutest!

You have two ways to enter this giveaway. 

1. Leave a comment here. (Facebook doesn't count for this one peeps, you need to log in and actually write on the blog...sorry need to be fair.)

2. Head over to Facebook and "like" Ellie Bellie Designs and tell Lisa, Redhead Reverie sent you.

The lucky winner will be announced at 8 a.m. on Friday morning during the Sound Bites of the Week. 

Best of luck and enjoy your Milestone Monday.

Super Duper Late Night Sound Bites of the Week

Whew! What a crazy, weird and totally nutty day. 

It is Friday the 13th after all.

My computer went kaput within my first hour at work. 

I forgot to send the title to the boat and the closing was today. 

and

Blogger was down most of the day... hence the super duper late edition Sound Bites of the Week.

So let's not waste anymore time ...

3. "Woo Hoo there's french toast sticks today!"

Ok, you need to imagine a four year old screaming this and running down the hallway at school. You might think it was E, but it was actually one of his classmates, and you should have seen the smile on his face. Oh, the little things that make our day. 

2. "Mom, seriously just try it. You need to be like Sam and just try new things, once he tried the green eggs and ham he liked them."

Ok, I don't care how cute this sounded, I'm NEVER trying YooHoo. It totally FREAKS me out. And while I appreciated E's lesson via a Dr. Seuss reference, I'm still not budging on this one.

And the number one sound bite of the week is...

1. "They're hanging from a rope like Curious George."

On Tuesday we took E and G to the circus. E thought the trapeze girls resembled our favorite little monkey minus the skimpy, sparkly outfits.

So there you have it a Super Duper late Sound Bites. 

Enjoy your weekend. We are celebrating G's birthday on Saturday, can't wait!

Make sure to tune in on Monday. I'm having my first giveaway.

You might get lucky.

An Iced Virtual Coffee

Whew!

If we were actually meeting for coffee today. I'd order the largest iced mocha you have ever seen, because it is HOT here. Like 90 people, with a heat index. It basically feels like July. Iowa weather is so schizophrenic. Thursday winter coats today shorts and tank tops...CRAZY!

And crazy fool that I am I rode my bike to work today...can we say sweat hog. Good thing we weren't meeting for real, cause I would stink.

FYI. I did wear a tank top and shorts when

I rode in this morning...I'm just sayin'.

 First of all I would ask you about mother's day. Did you have a good one?

We went on our annual camping trip, and had a BLAST.

The weather was sublime and it was so nice to just relax. My only issue was our cabin had large black ants, not terrible, but just enough to where I felt weird letting G crawl on the floor. But other than that the trip was perfect.

Well, not much else.

I have busy week ahead. We are (hopefully) heading to the circus this afternoon. Depending on how E does at school today...let's just say I'm not holding my breath.

Happy Tuesday! Now let's bike on over to Amy's and see what's up.

Are You a Survivor?

While in the doctor's office the other day I caught a glimpse of the verdict in the Phoebe Prince case. The young lady who ended her life after being bullied by her classmates. It's a sad case.

Not only did she lose her life, but her tormentors lives are ruined forever as well. Young lives wasted, because people felt the need to use their words to hurt others. 

I remember the old adage "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Ha! Whatever...This is a LOAD of crap. Words can hurt just as badly, sometimes more. They can invade your soul and make you question everything about yourself. 

Verbal abuse and bullying are a dirty little secret that people ignore. "Oh it's just words, you know that's not true." But the pain is still there. Festering. And the bruises are hidden, and can have lasting effects on the abused. 

It can affect anyone at anytime.

The employee who is constantly threatened and berated by a boss.

The classmates who post insults on Facebook.

Or as in my case "the boyfriend" who uses you as a verbal punching bag.

As I mentioned in Friday's post, I'm a guest blogger over at Blogger Body Calendar to help promote survivorship and hope for those who feel they can't fight back. 

Here's part of my story...

“Do you want to be a victim or a survivor,” my therapist asked me.

I couldn’t answer her.

This was my fourth suicide attempt. This time it was BAD. ER doctors, stomach pumping, a two-day stint in ICU, and a week stint in the psych ward kind of bad. I guess that’s what happens when you down half a bottle of your anti-depressants with a Captain Morgan chaser.

How the hell did I get here?

I met a guy and after a whirlwind romance we moved in with each other. Everything was great I thought I was in love and this was it “the one”.

Then it happened.

“You’re a fucking bitch.”

I stood there like a deer in headlights. Was he talking to me?

To read the rest of my survivor story click here.

I hope after you read my story you take the time to read other stories of survival and it inspires you to make a difference.

Verbal abuse and bullying are an epidemic and can be stopped if we use words of love instead of hate.

*Thank you to Allison at Alli 'n Son for letting me share my story. 

Juggler: I Heart Faces Mother's Day Photo Challenge

I was never one of those girls who instinctively wanted to be a mother.

I never babysat, I didn't play with dolls and I never had any siblings.

Heck, the first diaper I changed was E's.

Motherhood wasn't something I obsessed about or even thought about. Until...

B2 and I had been married for five years, and it was about that time that the biological clock started sounding the alarm. I realized that I loved B2 so much I wanted to have a little part of him and me to bless our lives.

Well, four years later, my two little blessings have initiated me into the craziness of motherhood. So I juggle the boys, my marriage, my career, my free-time (wait. What free time?) and I have official earned the title - Mom, mama, mother or hey, hey, hey (whatever the mood calls for).

So this photo is dedicated to my fellow "jugglers". The moms who have all the balls in the air at all times. Or in my case a baby on the hip, camera in my hand and a precocious face-making four year old.

This is the life.

See more Motherhood tributes at I Heart Faces.

Early Bird Sound Bites of the Week

Good Morning! Ok let's try that again and I want to hear a loud one....GOOD MORNING!!!

Yeah, it's early, but mama has a lot to do today. 

Take G to his follow up ear appointment.

Drop off a thank you note. 

Get a new battery for the truck, so we can go on our camping trip.

Oh, yeah that last one wasn't originally in the plan. Hopefully we can get it fixed cause I have no clue how we will fit two kids and all the camping crap in our family four door box on wheels. 

One quick side note before we get started. I wanted to tell you that today I'm a guest blogger over at Blogger Body Calendar. This year they are featuring participants who will show off their survivor strength, not because they are all survivors, but because they all are supporters of every woman who has had to struggle against the violence. All proceeds will go Violence UnSilenced. You can read my post here. I'll share more on this topic later this weekend.

Now let's get to the Sound Bites of the Week. Ready. Set. Go!

3. "How do you make Lady Gaga wake up. You poke her face."

I hope I told the joke right. This little giggle came from my friend Mandi's little boy. When I first read this I almost had milk coming out of my nose cause I was laughing so hard. 

2. "E there must be a hole in your belly, cause you just keep eating and eating and never get full."

Ever since our friend Greg said that E, he's been looking at his belly button waiting for food to come out. I told him you'll be waiting a super long time for that to happen.

And the number one sound bite of the week practically made me cry the other day. 

1. "Mom do you know why Woody is so special? Because he never gives up on you."

On a day when I was feeling pretty much like crap, my little E knew just what to say. And you know what I swear I saw Woody wink at me. It would happen right?

If you stare hard enough you might see a wink. Really.

There you go an early bird edition of Sound Bites of the Week.

Wish us luck with the truck...I'd like to take more than a clean pair of undies on this trip. 

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all those GREAT moms out there, especially my own. Love Ya!

Baby Fever

Shhhhh…I have a secret.

What ever you do DON’T tell my husband.

I have BABY FEVER!!!

I’m not sure how I can have baby fever considering I have a baby. Well, next week he turns one, but nonetheless he’s a little guy.

Ironically, I felt like this even when he was three months old. Maybe it was because things went smoother this time (we knew what were doing) or maybe it was because I knew this was officially our last.

Actually, I think it’s because EVERYONE I know is having or has had a baby in the last year (two more are expected this summer). Babies are in the air people!

So while I begin to close my chapter on babydom, I can still feed my addiction by being a part of JJ Cole Momconnect. It’s a great way for moms to connect with JJ Cole Collections to give them feedback, suggestions and ideas to make their products meet the needs of a multi-tasking, working, crazy mom like yours truly.

It’s pretty cool actually. I’m emailed a survey every now and then, and tell my opinion on their awesome baby products. And last week after completing a survey they told me I won this….

WOW! I NEVER win anything. Like seriously people, NEVER. I’ve been thinking of finding a diaper bag that would fit the big camera, baby stuff and my stuff, and this fits the bill.

So I will add my new JJ Cole Mode Tote Bag to my already extensive collection of JJ Cole baby stuff. Like …

The Bundle Me

If you live in Iowa you need this people…no winter jacket to deal with just clip, zip and go. All snug as a bug.

The Blanket

We have spent every single weekend hanging out in our back yard on this blanket. G loves it! This will be coming with us on our mother’s day camping trip. No doubt about it.

The System 180 diaper bag

There’s a story behind this bag. After I had E, I bought a diaper bag that someone recommended to me. It was ok, but every time I set it down it would tip over. This really grew to annoy me and one day I just chucked it, like literally chucked it across the room. Then the search was on. I cruised message boards, reviews and every baby site I could think of. Eventually, I found it; the perfect bag. It was the perfect mix of diaper bag and purse.

The bag pictured above is actually my second one. The first met its demise via too much toddler crap being stuffed into it. But the cool thing was I called JJ Cole and even though it wasn’t under warranty they gave me 40 percent off a new one. WOW! So cool.

Their customer service is so refreshing…there are actual people to talk to or e-mail and they will promptly answer you. In this day and age that’s amazing.

So, as I drool over my new diaper bag, and stuff it full of preschooler and baby stuff as well as the big camera, I begin to make the transition from baby to toddler. The six month clothes have been stuffed into garbage bags awaiting their new home at the consignment shop, and we’ve been swapping out bottles for sippy cups.

And don’t worry honey.  I know G is our last. You can breathe now.   

Full disclosure: I was NOT asked by JJ Cole Collections to write this post, and I was not rewarded or compensated for these comments. Rest assured that my thoughts and opinions represented in the above post are strictly my own, and as always I'm keepin' it real.

A Little Wine with my Coffee Please

Late again...Grrr...that seems to be the story of my life lately.

I overslept this morning because I was roused from a very nice dream involving myself and Ryan Reynolds (swoon) by a loud beeping which I assumed to be my alarm clock except it was 1:30 a.m. Thinking I set it wrong I turned it off, which in turn led me to missing spin class and sleeping till 6:30. Yikes! At which time I realized it was the baby monitor that beeped (no batteries) instead of my alarm, and the baby was crying (for how long I don't know, because no baby monitor). Really...all that before 7 a.m. I need a drink...

If it was morning I'd have a Sugar Daddy Latte from the Java House...mmmmm. But since it's mid-afternoon (and it's of course 5 p.m. somewhere) Let's pop the core off a bottle of wine (preferably Hearthstone from Fireside Winery).

Ok, now that you have your wine glass and are settled in I'd warn to you keep your distance. I'm not sure whether I have a cold or allergies, but a box of kleenex and Advil Cold and Sinus are my new besties. I hope it clears up soon, cause it's cramping my style.

Workouts were non-existent last week, and the guilt overwhelmed me, which in turn probably made me sicker...Grrr. Also, last week was just sucky...there in a nutshell...sucky.

I didn't realize until the end of the week, that Friday was the anniversary of my dad's death. Since I'd rather not be Debbie Downer right now I'll just direct you here, so you can read the post yourself. Because, well...I'd rather just let it be for now...

My favorite picture of me and my dad.

Taken at my wedding before he got sick.

Ironically, we did get an offer on his house. But it was a TERRIBLE offer and we declined. That's the bad part about it being in a small town. Everyone knows he's passed, so they assume we are desperate to sell. Well, we may be desperate, but we aren't stupid. I have a saying about small towns....They are so small everyone in town knows when you go to the bathroom and whether it's number one or number two. :-)

Then of course our conversation would turn to the events of the week.

The royal wedding. Didn't watch it live (thank you TiVo). Was underwhelmed by her dress, expected something more edgy and modern. And thought it was cute when Prince William leaned over and told her she was beautiful, and I cried cause I ALWAYS cry at weddings. Oh, and I kinda felt sorry for Kate that she couldn't personalize the ceremony more. But I'm sure she made up for it with all the glamorous parties.

Then the hot topic on the blogosphere and around the world, Bin Ladin's assissination (cause let's not mince words that's what it was.) I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Relieved that evil has been destroyed. Not too happy with glorifiying it and replaying it and rehashing it. I really don't need to see the blood stained room anymore. Unfortunately, E accidentally saw it this morning, and I had to make him close his eyes till I could change the channel. He didn't ask me any questions, but I just told him that a bad man is gone, and won't be hurting anyone anymore. I think of all the opinions, and comments I have seen the best is by Rebecca over at Girl's Gone Child. We are not celebrating death, but relief and hope. Because what lessons are we teaching our children when we celebrate death, especially killing another human being (not that he was remotely human)? The worst part is unfortunately there are people more crazy, more dangerous and more terrifing than him, and they are just waiting for their moment. Scary thought...

Then I would lighten the mood and give a shout out to my step brother's military affilation - The Navy. Thank you for risking your lives everyday just so I can enjoy my freedoms and hopefully you will all be home soon.

And of course, coffee wouldn't be complete without a Target tale. I preface this by saying "I had EVERY intention of not stepping foot in there this weekend." But we needed toilet paper, and that's kind of a necessity. So I went for toilet paper and came out with this...

I love it, but I'm not sure exactly what it is. Initially I thought it was a skirt. Then I thought it could be a strapless dress or I could wear it as a strapless tunic with skinny jean capris. I dunno, you tell me. What do you think it is? I just don't want to look like a dork wearing a skirt as a shirt...that's my worst nightmare. Ha!

So, I'll end our wine tasting with a big fat Happy Mother's Day! To all those fabo moms out there may you have a wonderful weekend. Any big plans? We are going on our annual "camping" trip. I use the term loosely cause we stay in a cabin with running water, comfy beds and heat. But there is a camp fire and smores, so that makes it camping. Last year we skipped due to an early delievery, but this year we are ready to go!

Now let's head over to Amy's before our caffine and wine buzz wear off.

Calm: I Heart Faces Challenge

I have two boys...two boys...Wow! Just saying that makes me tired.

Quiet moments are few and far between. 

E is in perpetual motion from the moment he wakes up until the moment he goes to bed at night. G tries to keep up with his big brother until his batteries just go kaput. 

So, when I heard about this week's photo challenge over at I Heart Faces I knew just the photo I wanted to submit. 

The theme is soft and sweet and this photo illustrates it beautifully. 

See, about five minutes before this photo was taken, E and H were running around like crazies, screaming, chasing each other, in general just being fun loving kids. But then H sat down to read a book, E decided to join her. It was the sweetest thing, because we could all see the how much E adores her, and the lighting from the window made the softest most peaceful scene around them. 

A calm settled over the room.

H's mom and I just sat and watched the two of them, and smiled. Knowing that it would only be a matter of time before the calm ended and chaos would begin again.

See more soft and sweet photos over at I Heart Faces.