officially fall

I am sorely late in posting, please forgive me. We went away over Thanksgiving and I didn't have access to wireless there. I did take a bazillion (yes, I realize that's not a rational number) pictures, so I am posting a few tonight in "preview." :o)







We just arrived home from a football playoff game that our team won, literally at the last second. It's been a super long week and especially evening so I will share stories soon of my Thanksgiving. Hope you each had a splendid holiday and are as excited about the lovely season we are in right now!!

xo~Amelia

the morning after

So it was, on this Friday morning after my 12:01 AM movie viewing with my sister and niece, that we sat and enjoyed loaded hot chocolate from Starbucks. I needed the "loading" because staying up until 3:00 AM and coming home to a wide awake 2 year old, I was totally wiped out the morning after! I guess it's old age. My hot cocoa, although lovely and delicious, could not wake me up fully.

This photo amuses me because it shows our drink orders, and my silly OCD'ness with the straw in my cup. The baristas always look at me like I'm crazy when I ask for a straw at the window or grab one on my way out.... What can I say, I'm a little quirky at times.



It was worth the lost hours of sleep though. The movie *NO SPOILERS I PROMISE* was really good. I have mixed views on the cinematography (it felt a little like a cross between an after school special and the Blair Witch Project), but my main concern was blown away.

My biggest worry before seeing this film was that Edward could not be played by anyone... he is in my mind, the ultimate male character. Robert Pattinson realy impressed me and totally stole the WHOLE movie, he was brilliant and quite captured the heart and soul of Edward Cullen. Bravo Rob, bravo!

Music musing is Robert Pattinson himself, singing "Never Think" from the "Twilight" soundtrack.

xo~Amelia

anticipation

It has been mounting ALL week. I feel as though today will never end..... I am SO anxious/excited to see my sister and niece and watch "Twilight" with them!! *aaaaaahh!*

I haven't read the books to my girls or any vampire books for that matter. However, it appears that Masyn seems to naturally have a little vampiric blood in her... or so this picture suggests. ;o)



I love how she grabs Evelyn for pictures and even though it looks like she is strangling Evy, little Evelyn just giggles and laughs, so happy that Masyn wants to play with her. They fight at times, but it's really special to me how super close they are all the rest of the time. I love them so much.

Jason Myles is singing "Twilight Serenade" in honor of today's obvious occasion!

xo~Amelia

self amused

Avery has trouble with money... she's got a mile long list of things she wants, but when she is given money for birthdays or holidays she is never sure what she really wants to do with it.

While I was out at work one day Adonis took the girls to the store, apparently it was quite an adventure. It was on that trip to WMS (Wal-Mart Store, WMS is the nice way a friend of mine refers to it) that Avery found and purchased "Sing Star 80's."



I hear her belting out "We're not gonna take it..." and "It's the...eye of the tiger..." and Masyn's deep and adorable voice can often be heard singing "...livin' in a material world...and I am a material girl." It's scary and comical, that's all I can say about that particular aspect of the game.



However, after relentless begging, I played the game. Yes, I started out with much hesitation because I do NOT sing well... seriously bad in fact. Still, within a few rounds I was dancing, singing, and getting some decent scores! Hurray, nice littl stroke to my suffering singing ego.

Yesterday was my shining moment though, I finally scored "Lead Singer" and it's pretty funny that I scored this on a song I just posted a while back that has been redone by Blake Lewis. "I Ran" the original version by Flock Of Seagulls, that's my top score. I'm very pleased about this, I guess that's apparent since I found it worthy enough to blog about (hmmm...I might need to up my criteria for blog posts eh?). *grin*



A lesson I also learned from this, is that my camera can't get pictures of my television.... sorry for the weird pic, but I had to validate my score somehow.

Music musing is the fabulous and favorite, Phil Wickham. The song is called "Cannons" and is on his latest album. He's amazing.

xo~Amelia

looking forward

Consider this a backward version of my nostalgia posts. This is a small list of the things I am currently anticipating with great excitement~

The rest aren't really in any specific order, but this first one is definitely what I am the most impatient for...



A little over a year ago while substitute teaching at a high school, I was talking about books with another teacher. She said I had to read a series called "Twilight." There were 2 books available and a 3rd due out right away, so I got busy on the first one and finished it within 2 days. Book two was the same for me, I devoured it. I had to get on a waiting list for the third, but as soon as it came in, I read it in a night. Love.. I was in love with a character of a novel. The same teacher let me know that there was a 4th book being released one year later... Oh the agony of that wait, I can't even begin to explain. Finally, a couple months ago, I read the 4th and final novel "Breaking Dawn."

So what is it I am now waiting for so breathlessly? My fabulous sister and niece (both fabulous) are going to meet me for a midnight showing of THE TWILIGHT MOVIE!!!!!!! Writing cannot convey my true emotion, I'm not even able to sit still. The countdown is ON from now until November 20th!!

So that's number 1.

The rest, but as I said, in no certain order~

2~ A good storm, with thunder, lightening, and most importantly, RAIN.

3~ My next doctor's appointment. I think my thyroid is getting accustomed to my medication and I might need a higher dosage, so I am extremely ready to get that taken care of.

4~ Christmas. I know, I'm rushing the year...sorry.... it's just my favorite holiday and I can't wait to see how it is in a new place. I'm very excited about this holiday season.

5~ Photography gigs. I am so looking forward to lining up some new jobs, especially seniors, I miss them.

6~ Pumpkin everything.

7~ A cold front that is supposed to hit Austin this weekend. I will get to wear a coat... hurray!

8~ Tomorrow. I'm ready for tomorrow because I will be getting my hair done again... due to a scheduling error I was given the wrong product of deep conditioning today, so I get to go back tomorrow for the right one. I'm stoked.

9~ The next time I have a reason to wear fake eyelashes...that was just too much fun, I can't wait to need to use them again. Like that will happen anytime soon, but you can count on me looking for any excuse.

10~ This one is a biggie. I am ready for this afternoon.... it is my day off and I just returned from the library with 3 novels to read. I will have myself a short run (2 miles) and then shower, hopefully lather on some yummy lotion, wear my comfiest clothes, and snuggle in for a nice read!

Jason Mraz is providing the nice music musing today, it's his version of "The Rainbow Connection."

xo~Amelia

truth and 2's

I am well aware that 2 year olds are notoriously difficult. The name "terrible two's" has been a well earned title, I know this. Evelyn, however, has taken this to a whole new level in my family. Never before have I really felt the cliche of terrible two's applied to my girls. 18 months was tough and around 3 years it seemed they both went through a little phase of trying to find boundaries. 2 years old, not too much trouble.

Until now.

She's not bad, really. I just never expected that Evelyn would be so deviant. She's sneaky and also believes that rules do not apply to her. It's pretty tricky to deal with her, because I find myself wondering just how much she can understand. I think that I have been under estimating Evelyn though....

As an example, let me introduce item 1A as evidence to my case.



That is Evelyn's halloween candy from our church event. I placed the girl's candy in their own bags and labeled with their names. After meals I have been letting each one pick out a piece of candy, insuring the equality of candy distribution so nobody could gripe.

Please look closely now at exhibit 1B.....



The above picture is Masyn's bag of candy. The bag is also a plastic, one gallon, ziplock, yet it contains several more pieces than 1A.

A mystery surfaces and further confounds as we look next at photograph 1C.



That stout bag is Avery's. She has obeyed perfectly the rules regarding the eating of the candy. After delineation over the matter, the girls have all confirmed that Evelyn has been sneaking candy from her bag at various times when nobody has been looking.

Who would have guessed this innocent and precious girl could be such a fiend? Yes, she is definitely keeping me on my toes.

Music musing, Amos Lee singing "Sweet Pea." So fitting!



xo~Amelia

can't help myself

I love this girl... and not just because she's insanely gorgeous... because she is endearing in every fiber of her being. I love that she has been up 3 times tonight to go to the bathroom, and not once returned to bed without another hug and kiss. I love that she panics when her clothes touch her sister's.



There was no possible way I could stop myself from sharing this picture tonight, I'm simply overwhelmed right now with how much I cherish my girl Masyn.

xo~Amelia

i ran

An update to my previous post:

I ran! Yes, I did my time, ran my 3 miles, and last night I did it again. Today will be another challenge, but I promise, it will happen.

So here is a very sad story. I was really wanting to plug in my iPod while running a week ago or something like that. I knew my iPod would need charging since I haven't used it from the time we moved until now (3 months!). So I get my iPod and alas, my charger is missing. That's right, charger is no where to be found and I can't use my little nano without power!

Here is a good song to run to, when I do find my charger I will be purchasing this on iTunes for sure...it's so peppy. Blake Lewis singing "I Ran."

* Added: It appears that my cute little media player is refusing to play "I Ran," so here is a shambly YouTube so you can understand what I mean about running to this song!



xo~Amelia

motivation

Tonight I seriously lack the motivation to run. I've been running 3 miles 6 days a week (unless hugely interrupted like last week). I know it's not a lot compared to most runners, but I feel it's a good, strong, driven goal for me.

When I am finished, it's always worth the effort, but getting myself on the treadmill is the biggest hurtle. All I want to do right now is curl up and read or maybe even get caught up on "The Hills" I have DVR'd... anything but run. Why do I feel like this? I love running, but my motivation tonight is super zapped.

I'm pretty much posting this so you can all know and hold me accountable to FINISH my run. Now I have to run because I would hate to have to come back and tell you all that I sat around and didn't run. Yes, it's a good thing to share my lack of energy, in hopes of gaining some encouragement and the little "push" I need to keep up my healthy habit.

Thanks for the vent, I'm off to pound the pavement (well, really treadmill belt).

Music musing is by Brett Dennen (yes, AGAIN). This song is called "When You Feel It," which tonight I don't "feel the desire to run" but this ditty might help that. :o)

A fun video.... to get me hyped about the treadmill....



xo~Amelia

a day without boundaries

My girls have been in quite a lot of trouble lately. I wouldn't say I am a super strict mama, but I do require obedience. The past little while has been a very trying time with each girl in their own way... trying to push me and see what rules can be broken in a new place, that sort of thing. I've been feeling like a very bad mama, because it seems like all I ever say these days is "no" or "please stop" and let me not leave out "did you hear me say no?" *deep sigh*

Today I made it my mission to have a good time together...even if they weren't being nice, we were going to be chill and obey, the two can happen together I am convinced! It just takes some give and some take, and a healthy dose of creative insight.

So after nap, I allowed the girls to each pick out one candy from their new stash (separated into bags with their names so there is no fighting over who gets what). I had them take it outside and play on the porch while they ate their stickies and I cooked french toast.



That is the little cluster of some of the toys they were playing with... the baby is either Skylar, Madison, or Sophia, Evelyn called her something different every time I asked. Don't those names really tell you when Evelyn was born?! I giggled.



This is Unia, Masyn's unicorn. Where else would one place a unicorn for her beauty rest?

My next step was to avoid tabletop bickering that has been happening far too much these days. I chose the effective, yet cowardly route of "distraction." Yes, I let them eat outside with glass plates and all. French toast au natural proved to be a hit, there were NO arguments at dinner time tonight! YAY! *doing a little dance*



...and this might be the closest I get to a "good picture" of all 3 at once. I might even be forced to use this for our Christmas picture. LOL, that's a joke.

Check out Evelyn's feet, she refuses to wear her crocs on the right feet, so she always looks like her feet are turned out.



My life lesson learned today: Looking for the fun and positive will almost always kill the chance for negativity to rule the day.

xo~Amelia

throwing love around

This post is to give love back to all of you who have commented and read my blog so sweetly... I'm SUPER flattered!!
I love to respond by email to comments, but often the email reply is blocked... so I just wanted to post and make sure you all know how much your kind words and fun thoughts mean to me, you truly brighten my days and I am grateful that my random humor (and idiocy) brings a smile to faces somewhere out there. Thanks!!!!

In case anyone is wondering about this fabulous vocal you are hearing, this is Jon (my Jon) McLaughlin singing "Throw My Love Around." It's from his new album, which I highly recommend.

Feel free to email me anytime, and I would love to have your email address included so that I can write you back! You are all fantastic, catch the love~

xo~Amelia