Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope you all have a blessed, grateful, thankful day

Full of good food and good company.

I’m thankful for my Bewtcut

Who sacrifices and misses out on a lot to save the world

And provide a wonderful life for our lil’ family.

He’s truly missed,

But it will just make Christmas that much sweeter when he’s here.

I’m thankful for modern technology that helps me stay in touch with my family jillions of miles away, I miss them too!

Take a moment to count your blessings

And be grateful and appreciative for what you do have

Even if it’s your breath, cuz that too is a blessing.

Everyday.

Enjoy you’re day…and get stuffed!!

Gobble, gobble.

piggy party

Saturday was Presley's 2nd birthday.

she is too big now.

look how much she has grown!

*disclaimer: Bewtcut took my camera on deployment w/ him, so all party pics are cellphone pics, sorry for quality!**

i lovest her piggy costume from Halloween and i wanted her to wear it again,

so i decided to throw her a Pink Piggy party!

i made a pig cake from scratch, which really did suck, haha!

if you have to cut the cake and then all the crumb bits get into the frosting when trying to frost it,

then it's too much for me.

i don't like sweating or getting frustrated, so this will probably be only yr when mommy tries to make the cake. ;D

here is the "pig".

i made tissue pompoms and hung them throughout the kitchen

and basically anything pink i could find!

(reminded me of Steel Magnolias where they walked in the church and said it looked like Pepto Bismol threw up everywhere--u haven't seen it? watch it right now. and get  kleenex.)

i definitely preferred the cupcakes i made.

simple frosted cupcake and i decided to add a "piggy tail" swirl on top.

*squeal*

i'm not sure if you could tell, 

but I asked Piper to put the pink table cover on the table.

she did.

complete with DUCT TAPE on top...sigh. 

gotta love 6yr old decorating skillzzzzzz.

this lil piggy didn't want roast beef.

this lil' piggy wanted cupcakes

and squealed til she got one.

waz a party without pink candy and cookies?

it was deemed necessary, by yours truly,

to have the piglet hat on whilst making a wish.

it's more legit that way.

she had such a fun time and kept her costume on

most of the night

right up til the end where she stripped down to her diaper and body slammed

her boy cousin and his friend.

no one said piggys were dainty.

it really was a cute birthday

and she had a fun time.

She was blessed with gifts from her California grandparents

that arrived just in time.

and of course by the grandparents and extended family who live with us here.

she's so loved and i appreciated all the fuss over her.

i honestly can't believe she's 2 already, time has flown by with this last one!

She's the blessing we never knew we needed

and i'm glad she snuck into our family, just in time to make it complete.

Happy Birthday Boodie!

i'm sick

I’m sick…

I deleted some picture albums on my google profile account

So they wouldn’t keep showing up and taking space on my phone

(cuz google is synced to my android)

and guess what?

It deleted them from my life forever, apparently.

Like deleted them from my blog.

My blog I’ve had for years

Filled with a bajillion pics

Now has nothing but black error msgs where my pics used to be.

I’m trying not to have a heart attack

And maybe slowly but surely I can upload them all back to my posts,

But that could honestly take as many yrs as it took to put them on there in the first place.

Plus,

I may not even have all those pics anymore,

We’ve deleted and cleaned up our computer numerous times

Oh my gosh…I don’t know if I should just end it now or what to do.

I’m just sick…

xo

hillary

thanksgiving decor and thankful thoughts

I know Thanksgiving gets the short end of the stick when it comes to holidays,

it seems after Halloween everyone wants to jump right into Christmas

not that i blame them, i lovest Christmas time of year.

and i honestly don't have tons of Thanksgiving decorations

but i did do a few things to get me in the Thanksgiving spirit.

I love this month just to reflect on all we're blessed with and be thankful for in our lives.

Which i need to do after burning my self numerous times with hot glue,

having spray paint nozzle JAM and spray in my face,

and slicing my finger with scissors, which keeps bleeding thru the bandaid.

can i just be thankful there are people way more craftier than i, that i can just go buy stuff from?

holla to the professionals, cuz i'm obviously a tad inept.

simple table centerpiece.

i spray painted 2 of the pumpkins and tied coordinating thanksgiving color ribbon onto each.

easy peasy pumpkin squeezy...

a nice warm, comforting smell of pumpkin pie warming your house?

yes, thank u.

is it possible to eat air? cuz i wanna...

and finally i made each of my girls simple felt bows accented with braided ribbon

for Thanksgiving outfits.

simple, easy ways to incorporate some Thanksgiving holiday spirit into the next week.

you could just write the letters "T-H-A-N-K-S" on some blocks of wood, or on each pumpkin or on tiny canvases, or bottles or mason jars.  decorating doesn't have to be complicated, it can be very simple...although dangerous (for some of us, ahem.)

and now for my Thankful list, it's Nov 16th 

so here are my 16 things i'm thankful for:

1.  Central heating and air--it's starting to get freezing at night and i'm so grateful for central heating to keep me and the babies warm at night.

2. Candle makers, seriously lighting a scented candle with a holiday scent instantly gets u in the holiday spirit!

3. A washer and dryer--i do loathe laundry, but it would be almost impossible to get all our laundry done if i had to handwash it all. i'd probably end up throwing a lot of it away, just to not have to do it. ;D

4. Mascara...i have blondish eyelashes, so i'm grateful for makeup that actually makes them noticeable.

5. a Home. i'm fully aware there are so many who are homeless, and that is so sad. I'm grateful we have a roof over our heads and place to be safe and raise our family.

6. Grocery stores--seriously! The convenience of going to a store to pick up every item needed to be able to nourish our family is so wonderful. Well, that is if you stay on the outside edges of the grocery store, which is dairy, meat, breads, and produce.  Damn you chip aisle!! ;p

7. Working limbs. I can walk, run, jump, write, type, hug, dance, and use my body for everything and anything.  Perhaps i should learn how to kick my own butt, to keep me on my fitness track.

8. Sunshine. is that weird? i love the sun, it always revives me and makes me feel energetic and positive.

9. The internet. i know...there's weird stuff out there, but truly being able to keep in contact with email, chat, and video messaging with my scattered about family, staying connected to friends and family with social networking, being able to shop, and blog, and watch amazing things and find inspiration, the internet is such an awesome gift.

10. A working vehicle that has room for all my 500 kids and is easy to drive and takes us wherever we need to go.

11. My girls. I love my kids so much, i'm so lucky to have these little ladies in my life.

12. My smile.  i have big teeth, and they were all crooked and what not, as a kid. i owe my parents big time for all the orthodontic work that allowed me to have straight teeth. it's the one area of my body where bigger is better. Big straight teeth, Big ol' SMILE.

13. My bed. it's my favorite place in the world. (except when Bewtcut is deployed, it's not as comforting or fun, ahem...but it's still my favoritest.)

14. Bewtcut. He's my best friend. He's hilarious, silly, goofy, affectionate, sweet, maddening, terdy, hardworker, super smart, strong and fit, and I wouldn't have it any other way. He is obviously in love with me and our girls, and he gets better with age. I'd be lost without him. Can't wait til he gets back.

15. GUM! oh my gosh, i hate bad breath so i'm super grateful for gum. and blowing bubbles.

16. MUSIC! i love how music can lift us up, make us feel AWESOME or humble or nostalgic or relaxed or purposeful or excited. Where would we be without all kinds of music in our lives??

What are you thankful for this month?

Fashion Show

i got the thrill of a lifetime this Sunday

when i was cordially invited to an exclusive Fashion show.

only A-list, V.I.P were on the front row, and i got to sit beside them!!

I'm speechless really.

here's some of the rich and famous i sat next to...

see what i mean? Ex-cluuuuu-sive!

The models were amazing and the fashions were just out of this world!

Very futuristic, yet modern at the same time...i was in awe.

pairing ancient egyptian patterns with authentic geisha robes?

i mean seriously, the designers have to be almost mad, to be this good!

aaaaaaand, can i just say, that whoever was the makeup artist 

was a true visionary...

i could tell these models were seasoned professionals

their poses were almost like art, really.

i was truly honored to have witnessed such mastery and talent.

this was the best fashion show i had been to in a long time.

these models were so amazing, they were even taking calls for future bookings as they exited the runway.

maybe someday you'll be able to witness this type of genius,

just be thankful i had my cellphone on me to snap these pics...

Ur welcome.

Veteran's Day

I couldn’t let today slide by without acknowledging the importance of remembering our Veterans today.

Happy Veteran’s Day

To those who have served

Are still serving

And will serve this amazing country of ours.

No matter what branch of service you joined,

Every military member chose to be part of something greater than themselves

And to sacrifice for our freedom.

Remember those who came home, but never came “back”-those with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injuries, lost limbs, and other scars both physically, emotionally, and mentally…

And those who paid the ultimate price, their life…so that we could live ours freely and in peace.

I want to thank my Bewtcut.

He is amazing and works so hard!

He deploys so often and is constantly in harms way,

He sacrifices his time, family and life for a greater cause.

I do not take it lightly that he has always come back home to me,

Safe and sound.

For that I am eternally appreciative and grateful.

It’s bittersweet that he is deploying today,

But almost coincidentally perfect.

Those in the military have to keep on fighting the bad guys

They have to keep on keepin’ on,

And I’m proud of my husband and everyone who has served and serving today for ensuring the Freedom we are so blessed to have.

I’ll miss you Bewtcut.

Love you.

And Happy Veteran’s Day to everyone

do ur eyes light up?

I don’t watch Oprah too often, usually the TV around here is on Nickelodeon or Disney Channel, but I did manage to catch one of her new shows called Oprah’s Life Lessons that is on her OWN network channel now.  She was discussing some of her most memorable guests that taught her and the world about validating our loved ones.  And that truly the one thing in life we all want, is to feel validated, appreciated, loved and valued.

Oprah talks a lot about “a-ha” moments and I feel almost cliché’ saying I had one watching her show this afternoon while grudgingly folding laundry.  She was talking with a women who said, usually when her kids come into the room she was looking at them wondering if there hair was messed up or their clothes were on right or they had cleaned up what they were asked to clean up.  SO, she thinking she was being a loving mother, being concerned about them this way, but then realized what they were seeing was a critical face…all the time.  She was letting them see what was in her head, not truly what she was feeling in her heart which of course is unconditional love and joy because they’re your children.

So she said, “do your eyes light up when they enter the room?”

That was my “a-ha” moment.

I sit here typing with a lump in my throat cuz I know I’m not always the best with letting my sweet girlies KNOW through my eyes just how HAPPY I am that they’re here. I love them so much, but i'm a mom and I do get irritated with them a lot and frustrated and all the things that build up and happen day to day,

BUT what better thing can they receive every time they’re in my presence, then for my eyes to light up and know that I’m happy to see them, no matter what!

That they’re not invisible.

That they matter.

That I find joy in them.

That I validate them, and find value in them.

That doesn't mean i have to have rainbows shooting out my booty all day long, 

cuz life is life and you still have to be the parent, etc..

BUT

I can let them see my eyes light up when they come into a room,

I can put the phone down

Step away from the computer

Stop loading the dishwasher,

Whatever it may be…and just let them know instantly how happy I am that they’re in my life.

I think it’s the same for our spouses and friends and those we love and come in contact with,

People want to feel that they matter,

And if you’re excited to see them…then they know they matter to YOU.

My goal for this week is to really make a conscience effort to let my eyes light up when I see my children or spouse.

I have a feeling that this will not only make a difference in their attitude and self-worth,

But mine as well.

So hug your kids/spouse/loved one a little more this week.

Give more kisses.

Know how you would feel receiving undivided, happy attention from a loved one even if it’s for a moment.

And let your eyes light up  when you see them this week.

Happy Sunday!

cozy weekend

i developed a sore throat the night of Halloween that has turned into a full-fledged cold.

yuck.

scratchy sore throat, coughing a bajillion times a day/night and blowing my schnozz.

i hatest colds.

so i will be sipping lots of warm OJ w/ drizzles of honey

(i've heard it works)

can i just say that even tho i've felt like shapoopy all week, i've still managed to get my workouts in and teach a Zumba class, holla!
i'm just one pushup away from looking like this, i'm nearly there.

ok, maybe not...or EVER, 
BUT i am on my way to possibly being "less jiggly" instead of "MAJOR jiggly".

But due to the cold and having our FIRST SNOW last night, i forsee alot of blankets and movie watching, hot chocolate drinking and turning on the fire-ing. ;)

can i just throw out there how much i love my Bewtcut having Drill and having to work all weekend before he deploys again soon? it's super convenient and lovely. not.

BUT

he did promise to take me Kareoking next Tuesday, how fun will that be?? weee!

oh and one last thing before i go...

Miss Belle decided she wanted her hair cut,

we kept it long for Rapunzel on Halloween

(yes she had my sandal wedges on, she was practicing walking in heels as ANY good princess would do)

but then, it was time for the cut!

the hairstylist asked me why on EARTH would i keep her hair long

it's beyond thin/fine, like uber thin/fine hair...it snaggles, it tangles, it barely can hold a cut cuz the hair shaft is so tiny.

ummmmmmmm, i didn't have an answer but i guess it was a good decision to cut her snarled mane then, geez!

so, if you haven't seen anything angelic or precious in a while

this should last you through the weekend for sure. ;)

Miss Belle, with a bob.

What are you doing this weekend?

Executive Barbie: Halloween costume?

So i wasn't planning on dressing up

and then i got an idea in my head when i saw a makeup tutorial for Barbie makeup.

I rummaged thru my closet and decided i would be a working mom...

Executive Barbie.

Always on her smartphone, talking to clients.

so many problems she has to address and solve all day.

Barbie hates getting instant messages telling her how nice she looked in her leopard pumps today.

that employee will be swiftly karate chopped and then fired.

a nice stiff hand wave will ensue as he packs up his belongings and leaves Barbie enterprises.

But this Barbie made the ultimate mistake as an executive.

she didn't advertise her brand!

she had nothing on letting people KNOW she was BARBIE.

cuz copius amounts of PINK, just don't cut it.

After work, she kept her pink on, but changed into pants to take her little barbie offspring trick or treating.

apparently you have to spell it out for most people...

otherwise they think you're a painted face bar maid

and by "bar maid" i mean Ho. ;D

no worries, Barbie's face never cracks under pressure...she is plastic after all.


outfit:
top: thrifted
pencil skirt: Target
heels: Target
earrings: ??
belt: Target

linking up to:
No Model Lady
Momma go Round
the Pleated Poppy
Colorblind

October is over...

October was pretty warm this year,

in fact it reminded me of my Octobers growing up in California where it was just starting to get chilly but still fairly warm during the day.  That's how it's been here, and it's been lovely actually.

Bewtcut's work is working him to the bone this month,

of course that's how it goes right before he deploys. So with that and his schoolwork,

me and my geriatric/ailing health body and head it's been a tad hectic and crazy around here.

BUT

i did manage to throw some holiday spirit in my kids' faces,

which is always the fun part. ;)

We drove up to my SIL's house for the annual Pumpkin Walk and decorating of Halloween cookies and the yummiest soups and stews and chilis, EVAH! mmmmm.

they're creepy and they're cooky, mysterious and spooky...

at the Church Halloween party we all got our picture taken together...i wonder how that turned out?

then i found this kid, scarfin' up everyone's food.

piggy's gotta eat...

Casper the Friendly Ghost decided he wanted to hang at our house this Halloween, 

which was perfect, cuz it's where all of the cool kids hang,

obviously...

then it was pumpkin carvin' time!

nuthin' fancy around these parts, i just let them draw whatever faces they wanted

then i used a steak knife and my brute strength to cut those babies up.

you know waz relaxing after scooping out pumpkin guts?

warm apple cider...

then i roasted them, there, delicious pumpkin seeds
*said it best hillbilly voice*

and the kids watched "Spookley, the Square Pumpkin"

it's hard being a square pumpkin in a round pumpkin patch

but we can all learn from our differences...or at least learn that a bat and a spider can be friends with a pumpkin. ;)

*don't mind Piper, she always prays for the underdog*

then finally it was the big day!

We did watch Piper and Lily march thru their school Halloween morning all dressed up,

but they walked by so fast all i got was blur images

but here they all are, ready to trick or treat hard...

50's girl, Piggy, 80's girl, and Rapunzel (who obviously saw her prince at the bottom of the tower, why else would she be so freakin' excited?)

orrrrrr maybe she takes after me and realized she'd be receiving copius amounts of chocolate in seconds. ;D

i hope you all had a safe, wonderful, happy Halloween!

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas for the cozy, warm, and baked good holidays.

did i say baked goods?

i meant, spirit of giving...;)