A Coffee Table Book

I'm so excited.. And I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control, and I think I like it!! (Are you singing with me??)
Today, my coffee table book was delivered. Yes-I designed a coffee table book!! Woo Hoo!!

Having just built our house, I wanted to do something unusual with our pictures. I didn't want a scrapbook, or a photo album. I wanted something beautiful our children could one day easily look at. I wanted to preserve our memories with more than a camera chip. I went to My Publisher, online, and made an online scrapbook. Has anyone else done this?? It is the neatest thing. You get to choose your background, your captions, your journaling, your picture placement, your book style. You can choose a full page picture, or up to 12 on a single page. I loved it!! It was expensive, mind you. Even with a 15% off coupon, I paid $80.00, but, for us, it was so worth it for what we went through to build custom. I would highly recommend using them. The book I chose is taupe linen, and hardback. The pages are bound like a real coffee table book, and the pictures are glossy, just like a Better Homes and Gardens magazine! It even has beautiful vellum overlays inside. I would have loved to have taken more pictures of the book to post here, but the book was 76 pages long- I included our Open House pictures. Incredible, yall!!!

An Unexpected Party

Tonight, a new member of our Connection Group, and one of my mom's co-workers (and very best gal pals) came over to get crafty with me. I worked on my Christmas cards, and she made a baby card for a pregnant friend. When mom got wind Amber was with me, she hi-tailed it over, as not to miss out on any of the action. She came in her pajamas, and we laughed until our sides hurt. Not at her p.j's mind you, but at my mom in general. My mom has like an alter-ego at work and says these random, hysterical things. Amber was telling stories on her, and we all busted a gut. I started telling school stories, to which mom and Amber about rolled out of their rolly-chairs. Combine that with my Michael Jackson soundtrack playing in the next room, and we definitely had a fun, girly night. Say what you want about Michael. But his song, Billie Jean, is like my anthem. When that song comes on, get ready. It was one of those nights where everything was funny. It was truly a much needed night for me; earlier in the evening, David and I met with our insurance agent to arrange our life insurance policies, and after all that serious "business" talk, I was in desperate need of some gut-bustin'.

Transformers

We just finished watching Transformers, the movie!! I am completely blown away. It was FAR better than I expected. It definitely lives up to the hype. What a great movie! There was adventure, romance, suspense, love, laughter... We gave it two thumbs up!!!! I think it may be an award winner. Not a kid's movie, though. It has an epic feel, and it reminded me a lot of Lord of the Rings, because it had so many fantastic elements. I was definitely tearing up at the end.

Bologne in the Morning

Every morning, I am in awe at the view from our back deck. We sit on 1.3 acres, but have a beautiful view behind us. It is land we don't own, but we feel as though we do; it is a flood plain and nothing can be built there. It is truly a place where the deer and the antelope play. This week, the farmers have been out bailing hay. Now, just tell me that isn't the most beautiful, solemn sight you have ever seen? I love sneaking out on the deck in the morning when I wake up. I stand at the rail, eat my lunch meat breakfast, and thank God I have a career I love, a husband I adore, and a lot in a subdivision sent straight from heaven.

Sunday Afternoon Guests

Sunday after Connection Group, but before T. J. Maxx, Rachel, Garrett, Lyndsey, Dean, and Hudson came over to visit. Lyndsey is an old High School friend who I cheered with on Pom Squad. We go way back!!! She is also my hairstylist, which has its perks! She works in an upscale, busy salon and I love being able to get in any time I want. Oh, the advantages!! Last month, actually, I forgot my appointment all together. It takes 4-5 weeks to get in, so I was bummed. I considered (gasp) going to the Snip and Clip out of desperation. She wouldn't hear of it (thank, God!) She told me to come over to her house, and she did it a night later in her living room. Get in good with your stylists, ladies. Real good. She and her husband, after seeing the rock on our fireplace, decided to duplicate, and offered to make a trade- our extra rock for a free cut and foil on my next visit! Done deal!! I love knowing people who can make trades. They brought their truck, and the boys went outside to estimate rock, while us girls told Hudson how handsome he was. When Rachel and I get together we are SO silly. So silly it is sickening. I love my family.








Rachel and Garrett play fighting on the deck. She didn't have a chance!
He is so super tall!

T.J. Maxx

T.J. Maxx is my fav' store in the whole wide world. Seriously. Dooney and Burke handbags off the rack? Gotta love em. I spied a little sumthin-sumthin dress and walked over to scope it out- $565.00!!! Yikes! You gotta love T. J. Maxx! Tonight, I ran out there and bought five new picture frames. They also had their Christmas decor out. Can you say, "Holy Toledo!" I was in love with everything that glittered. I found these darling butterfly clips that you are supposed to clip onto your Christmas tree branches. I decided to use metal cutters to clip the ends off, and hot glue them to my frames. Cuteness for only $9.00 a piece! They also had HUGE red, beaded dragonflies! Can you even imagine having one of those clipped to a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift with your name on it? Divine.

Jordan's 1st Bath