I Won An Award!

For the worst blogger ever. I could give you all a song and dance about how I've slept in my own bed 7 times in the last 30 days and how I've been at work in my office about 4 days in the last month and how my dog barks at me when he sees my suitcase, but you'd probably stop reading.

I will say that a few college friends have written asking if I'm "ok" because it's been almost a month since I updated....so, I'm here to tell you I'm alive and shopping! And hanging on to my sanity by a thread. But in an attempt to update you, here is the (very, very) quick and dirty version:

My Nana had a birthday! There's a lot of family controversy over whether my mom looks like my nana or papa...

Then, Dave's grandmother had a birthday so we went to Arkansas to celebrate and have Thanksgiving.

We had so much fun with Dave's cousins. They are 7 and they have more energy than I could ever know what to do with. If anyone texted or called me on Thanksgiving or the days surrounding it I have no record of it. Because these boys had my phone for 3 days straight and I came home with things like "Angry Birds" and some kind of "saloon gunslinger" game downloaded on my phone. But they sure are stinkin' CUTE!

Then, it was back to Austin... I decorated for Christmas and had a little helper...

48 Hours was apparently too long to be home because I almost got something done. So then I went to San Francisco. It was so much fun! Great times with my mom, nana and my dad! We went to San Jose, Napa and San Francisco. It was fast and furious and gave me a taste of things to do if I get to go back!

In the same 24 hours as that last photo I made my way to Dallas to celebrate my sister's birthday and her being an overachiever. Dave and I had so much fun cheering her on as she ran her first 1/2 marathon! I am so proud of her for setting this goal for herself and crossing that finish line!

I also had the extreme joy (same 24 hours mind you...) of standing beside one of my best friends as her sweet baby girl was Baptised. Just over 4 years ago, I stood in the same church as Allison's maid of honor, as she promised to love, cherish and honor James as her husband. What a blessed day it was to stand there as Avery's Godmother as they promised to guide Avery in the way of the Lord and teach her of his love and sacrifice. And I promised to join them in teaching Avery of the love of Christ and the price he paid for her. It was a precious day.

24 hours later I rushed off to the land of beignets and crawfish, of which I had several of one and none of the other...I'll let you guess how the chips fell!

Several air miles and hotel points later, I am HOME for the holidays! And I promise to be a better blogger! PS...y'all don't even want to see my Google Reader right now. Overwhelmed...

How Early is Too Early??

Because I may or may not have taken this picture last night...in my living room...

Ready or not, Santa's on his way! Bells are ringing, Josh Groban is singing and Starbucks has red cups. So buckle your sleigh bells and get ready for a Christmas Story marathon!

I've been fighting it a bit because we're having GORGEOUS 75 degree days here in Austin. I'm not wishing away this beautiful fall but there is something about the first burn of my Balsam & Cedar candles and plugging in my decorated Christmas tree that sets my heart a flutter. Don't think we didn't crank up our AC so we could drink our hot chocolate the night the tree went up. Dave said, "Well, it looks great! But I think you've set an all-new record." He's right, but with the schedule I've been keeping I had to do it when I could do it or it wouldn't get done! So there you go!

I hope are all gearing up for a wonderful holiday season full of Thanksgiving blessings and Christmas fun!

Obsessed Much??

YES! Why yes, I am!

All photos AP Credit or Google Images

I cannot get enough of this Prince William- Kate Middleton engagement madness. They've got me hook line and sinker. All I can say is, I wanna be Kate when I grow up!

I love them as a couple (spoken as though we are BFF and have dinner parties every Friday night...), I think she is precious, but not overly perfect...which is so refreshing. You can bet your bottom dollar I will be cuddled up on the couch, hot chocolate in hand for tonight's "Royal Engagement" special on ABC!

I am so in love with her ring and I think it is so special that he gave her Princess Diana's ring. What an honor for her to have such a treasure and how precious that William was able to give her a piece of his mother. Y'all, I'm puddy...

And seriously, she found that gorgeous navy dress to compliment the ring...swoon!

I loved Princess Di. Of course, I was fairly young while she was in her prime, but I feel like I grew up "knowing her". She was the Princess of Wales for sobbing out loud. She was gorgeous, a style icon and always so classy.

I think Kate will continue that tradition of class and style and it will be interesting to see her in the royal spotlight as they begin their family.

So, the party date is set. July 8th, 2011! Come on over in all of your wedding party glory. Put on your favorite bridesmaid dress (and by favorite I mean one that still fits...) and we'll have a royal wedding celebration!

Poser...

I've got a bit of a poser on my hands. The camera comes out and my little diva's ready!

We had a photo shoot several weeks ago with my friend Jamie and these are a few of the amazing pictures she took for me. I absolutely love the pictures of my little man! Those of you on my Christmas card list...forget you ever saw these because you might be seeing one or two again. :)

I saved the best for last! This one is my favorite!

Thank you, Jamie! I love the photos.

There's No Place Like Hope...

5 years ago we started team Zsa Zsa. 5 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and the fight began. But we always had hope.

We had hope that mom would be loved and comforted through her treatments (she was), hope that God would give her strength and be her comfort during her immense trial (He did), hope that we would hear the words "cancer free" (we continue to), and we hope that one day there will be a cure. So we press on to fundraise and raise awareness to find a cure...We walk...

"Hope" is the thing with feathers—

That perches in the soul—

And sings the tune without the words—

And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—

And sore must be the storm—

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm—

I've heard it in the chillest land—

And on the strangest Sea—

(my mom and cute nana)

Yet, never, in Extremity,

It asked a crumb—of Me. ~ Emily Dickinson

Team Zsa Zsa 2010! Thank you from the bottom of my heart...

Birthday Boys!

Saturday was my little man's birthday! It's hard to believe that he is SIX! That's 42 in dog years! So it basically means I'm living with a middle-aged man who pouts when I get home from work and talk on the phone (ignoring him), pouts while I get ready for work (because I'm going to leave him), and is a complete snob when it comes to Dog treats. When I go to the bank and I have him in the car with me they always send a treat back for him. He won't even take it because it's a generic milk bone. How did I raise such a diva?

Not long after the birthday song had been sung....I got a call...It was a very, very exciting call that my BFF Liz (The Loj) was in labor! I had been waiting for this day as Lynch, Bradley and L-Merc have all had their babies in the last 4 months and Charlie/Annie was the last one we were waiting for! I was also beyond excited to finally know if it was a boy or a girl I would get to love on. At 10:52pm sweet CHARLIE was born! Now Rookie has a birthday buddy!

He's precious and sweet and truly the cutest baby in the world! That little button nose and those tiny ears....LOVE. Happy birthday Charlie!

The new family of 3! Liz, Charlie and Daniel (This is how the Loj looked about 12 HOURS after birth! I mean, really??)

And a little Aunt T-Rog time! He was wide awake the whole time! We were just chattin'. I told him I'm submitting him for season 8,465 of the Bachelor.

Then he stuck his tongue out at me...RUDE!

And this was the sweet boy yesterday. He is still in NICU due to blood sugar and sodium levels, so say a pray for Charlie Boo that he will get to go home really soon!! LOVE you my little Buddy! And your crazy momma too!!