Brandi. Sarah. Jenny. Texas. Kiddos.

Now that school is back in session and Bella is going ‘full time’ – my life sure has become busy!  I thought maybe I’d have a few more extra minutes during the day.  Was I right?  Nope.  Nada.  In fact, I’m thinking someone took some time of my clock each day – it just seems too short!  Then I see how many wonderful bloggy friends left comments for me last week and I have yet to respond.  Sorry guys!  Life happened!

I also have early morning wake up calls now.  I was getting up around 6:15 – 6:30 every morning this summer, but I’ve had to bump that up to 5:00 am.  Can you say ugh?!!!  But, at least I’m showered, make-up on, hair done and all dressed by 6:00 am and before the kids get up.  Makes the morning routine go a little smoother when mama is already ‘ret-to-go’ and she can concentrate on getting 2 kids ready.

The strange thing is: I have always enjoyed getting up early and seeing the sunrise and then I get some ‘me’ time. And I enjoy that aspect of it now – but I need to adjust to this new schedule, cuz this girl is S.L.E.E.P.Y.  I know, people think I’m weird, but I can’t help it.  I’m a morning person! Yes, that’s right.  I’m one of those who can get up happy and talk your ear off at 5:00 am – and WITHOUT ANY COFFEE!!!  Now that’s talent my friends!

I have a few posts that I’ve started and need to finish and get up this week.  Haha!  We’ll see if that happens! 

We FINALLY picked up our new vehicle last Wednesday and we picked the name and I want to show you all my new wheels – but can you believe I still don’t have a photo of it?  Well, not one with me in it – and I need to be in it so you can tell me if my cool factor did indeed go down a couple notches.  You’ll have to be completely honest with me about how cool or uncool I look standing next to it!  As for the minivan itself – I lurve the thing.  Seriously – it glides.  I may no longer be in a lifted Land Rover, but I think I can work the minivan pretty good!  We also picked a name and I have a little something special for the bloggy friend who suggested the name! 

Also, this Thursday I am so excited that I am going to meet up with a friend of mine that I have known for almost 3 years now – and have communicated with via phone, text, email, mail…but never in person!  So, finally the fam and I are taking a tiny, tiny road trip to have dinner with Sarah, her husband and their precious new baby!  They are in Colorado for a few days on a much needed vacation and I’m just thrilled that we are going to meet up!  Then in November we’re packing the family up in the new minivan and heading down to Texas to visit Sarah and her family as well as my beautiful and amazing friend Jenny!  We have been planning this trip via text and we are gonna have us some fun while we’re there!

On the bloggy front – I’m an anxiously waiting for my lovely iPhone to beep to inform me that my twin, Brandi @ My Three Bubs, is headed to the hospital to FINALLY get Ladybub out of her tummy!  She was expecting to have her a week or so ago – but she (Ladybub) is just content all wrapped up in her warm bed (mama’s tummy) right now and doesn’t seem to have plans to leave anytime soon – so….I’m starting to feel a little like Daddy Bub right now and I want to help get her out :o)  When she heads to give birth to Ladybub, I’ll be stepping in for a couple days on Brandi’s blog to fill in the gap while she’s gone.  Oh and by the way Twin – I was just over at your blog and noticed you lost like 5 followers since yesterday!!!!  Wassup with that girl??? (Just kidding…sorry, DB seems to be rubbing off on me!). But really, hurry up already little girl!

Now I’ll leave you with a couple cute photos from last week!  I’m back to watching my nephew again (yay) so you’ll be seeing him a lot in my photos from now on!

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And a few extra outdoor fun photos!

 
“Chillaxin!”* * * * * * *

“Jumping In” * * * * * * *

“Crying, really?  It’s Just Water.” * * * * * * *

“Just Because She’s Beautiful”

 

Have a great Tuesday!

“There is a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich.”
Marlene Dietrich

Week In Photos: Days 234-240

I think I got some pretty good shots last week!  The very first one is special because it is a photo of Missy on her 18th birthday – August 22nd!  I should do a post on it – I got so busy with the first day of Bella’s kindergarten, that I didn’t get around to it!  I got Missy two days after I turned 18.  Here I am 35 years old now and celebrating her 18th birthday!  Beautiful!!!

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Sunday 234
“Missy Turns 18 Years Old on 8.22.10”

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Monday 235
“First Day of Kindergarten”
(Kimber, I thought about using the shot with her and the boy, but I, like you, felt they were standing a little too close. It’s not like there were a ton of kids in line at the time.  I’m gonna have to keep my eye on that boy!)

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Tuesday 236
“Fresh Peaches Picked Off The Tree”

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Wednesday 237
“Fruit Smoothies With the Fresh Peaches”

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Thursday 238
“Experimenting With Some New Products for Glowing Mama”

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Friday 239
“Ornery Little Guy” 

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Saturday 240
“New Project With Printed Linen”

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Head over and join at Mommmytography!

You can also head over and start up with Sara at:

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

“The pessimist looks for the difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist looks for the opportunity in every difficulty.”

N. Koeneke

“The Days Are Long, But The Years Go By Fast”

 

“The Days Are Long, But The Years Go By Fast”

This is truer than most people realize.  I see this ring true in my life more and more everyday!As most of you know, Bella started full-time kindergarten this week.  It was a tad hard for me.  It was a tad hard for her.Not the ‘going’ to school, because she’s been ‘going’ to school since September 2007.
2007 - Parent’s Day Out (once a week, 4 hours)

She was mad that I was taking pictures.  This was ‘angry Bella’ when she was 2 years and 2 months.  Look at her eyes.  Geeesh!  I still see that look today sometimes.

 

2008 - Pre-School (twice a week, 4 hours a day)

I was 4 months pregnant with Scout in this photo.  Oh how I miss some of those bigger parts on my body, but that’s a whole new post I need to do!

 
2009 - Pre-Kindergarten (three times a week, 4 hours a day)

 

Scout was 5 months old, Bella was 4 years old.

 

Deer in the headlights look.  Nice.  But Scout sure is a cutie!  I look tired.  I don’t miss those days of no sleep.

So, she wasn’t scared of school and I wasn’t scared of her going to school.My issue:  I was going to miss her being gone 7 hours a day, 5 days a week.For 5 years, we have spent most of our days together.  Going for walks, playing in the creek, playing in her pools, baking, decorating, visiting friends and family, running errands, etc.  Together.I’m going to miss her.  I did miss her this week.  Scout missed her.  It’s definitely quieter around the house and oddly enough I miss Bella’s ‘noise’.As for Bella?  She is enjoying school so much.  She always likes to be doing something – a busy little bee – and this keeps her moving all the time.  Her teacher said she had a great first week and is doing really well.  That’s always good to hear.  I’ve heard her teacher had to tell some parents that the rough days will be over soon and they’ll get use to it – so I’m glad Bella adjusted immediately.  That makes it easier for the parent to leave them at school – not being concerned that they’re having a hard day.Anyhoodle – below is a little progression of photos I took on Monday – her first day.  These are my favorite out of the 75 I took.  I really took 75 photos within 30 minutes.  I’m beginning to see why she’s so good at posing for photos. I’m her personal paparazzi! * * * * * * * 2010 – Kindergarten (5 days a week, 7 hours a day) *Sigh*

First thing after Scout woke up.  He likes to be with his ‘Sissy’ while he drinks his milk.  It’s his routine. 

This one she kept chanting ‘First day of school’ – Finding Nemo style!

Daddy with the kids.  He always takes the morning off on her first day of school. Has since 2007.  It means a lot to have her Daddy there too.

Me and the crew!

Almost duplicate of the one above, but in this one Scout has a cute look on his face.

Giving out smooches!  The reason I don’t wear lipstick anymore :o) 
Standing in line at school.  What happened to my baby girl?
 
She grew up!
I blinked.  


I absolutely adore this photo of Bella.  I absolutely despise this photo of me.  Solution ?– crop my head off.  Worked perfect!
(see the tissue in my hand?)
In the classroom! 

Last photo before I said goodbye!
  When the bell rang and it was time for the kids to go in the school, I went and gave her one last kiss and hug (about the 100th one) and she pulled me close and said, ‘I love you, Mommy.  I’m going to miss you.’  I cried.  What an amazing young girl she has turned into!

Here’s to 13 more years of school – and more if she chooses!

I’m proud of you my sweet Bella!  Mommy loves you!  

“Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves.” 

Abbé Dimnet, Art of Thinking, 1928

“If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers.”

Edgar W. Howe

WW-Star Wars Pug

“Star Wars Pug”

My bro.ski did this years ago.  Jerry Bean loved being wrapped in blankets and many times you would find him like this. And his snoring was INFAMOUS in our family.  My pug could snore!

I’ve always cherished this photo, because this is SOOO my puppy!

My Bean!

Happy Wednesday!

“I've noticed if you're a pug owner, you're pug-crazy.”

Crystal Key

Week in Photos: Days 227-233

Sunday 227
“Garden Art. Bella’s Stepping Stone.”

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Monday 228
“Yes. Scout IS Wearing A Headband.”

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Tuesday 229
“Yes. Scout IS Wearing A Princess Tiara.”

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Wednesday 230
“The New Me Haircut”

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Thursday 231
“The BEST Part of Baking Cookies With Mom”

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Friday 232
“Birthday Cards for Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Arndt by Bella”

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Saturday 233
“Happy Birthday Grandma (78 years) and Grandpa (79 years)”

(It was very dark and this is the best shot that came out with me and Bella with my wonderful grandparents!  This is the grandma I mentioned in my ‘The New Me’ post.  She was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer in 2003 and as of today, she is cancer free, celebrated her 78 birthday with her whole family around and she is enjoying life.  She gives God the glory for her total and complete healing – and so do I!)

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Head over and join at Mommmytography!

You can also head over and start up with Sara at:

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

“If you're bored with life, if you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things, you don't have enough goals.”
Lou Holtz