The Day to Day...

Life can feel mundane, no? I think I've been lacking in the blogging department because I've felt like things have been pretty status quo and I haven't felt inspired to drone on about seemingly boring things. But I began this blog, and chose it's title based on that very point. That it's the little things in life that really do make it both glamorous and fabulous.

Most of us don't go on dates that rival the Bachelor/Bachelorette. Most of us are lucky to get taken out to Chili's and you're really on a date when you get a movie afterwards! I spend my weekend watering plants, going to the grocery store and cleaning bathrooms. Just call me Fancy.

But the truth is, it all adds up to a great life...so here's a little bit of what I've been doing lately...

Picking out fun fabric for several chairs I'm having recovered!

Now I'm dying to get everything back and have my house in order.

Mumford and Sons Rail Road Revival Tour concert with my boo. IT.WAS.AWESOME.

Planting a slew of flowers out front last weekend in crazy heat and humidity. But it looks pretty sharp if I may say so myself!

Getting HYPED over the Mavs in the playoffs! I've been going to Mavs games since I was a wee one and they were terrible! So this is very fun. Tried and true Mavericks and Rangers fan and my teams are finally winning! What in the world!?? PS...Dirk is my homeboy.

Photo Credit

A trip to the coast a few weekends ago with Bradley, Lynch, the babies and the husbands. It was full of food, fun, and the ROYAL WEDDING! We literally watched every.single.channel's.coverage. And it was awesome.

I've been listening to this guy's games on the radio and I'm counting down the days until we get to go visit him in Savannah! Miss you, brother.
*These photos were taken by another player's mother. It was Breast Cancer Awareness night and the players wore pink jerseys. It was PERFECT that this was a night Taylor started. They auctioned the jerseys off to fans but Taylor had asked if he could make sure and get/buy his own jersey as a gift for my mom who is a survivor! What a perfect gift!!

Last and definitely least...I've really slacked off on my running since the 10K. I was so proud of myself for setting that goal and reaching that milestone. Then I was just tired. And I've reverted back to my sporadic exercise the last 6 weeks. But I'm back. I did a few miles last night, I'm exhausted today, and I'm vowing to get back in the groove. OH, and my sister may or may not be throwing around words like Half Marathon....Heaven help me!

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void." ~ Kathleen Kelly, You've Got Mail

Don't Squat With Yer Spurs On!

The best things about this weekend include (but aren't limited to)...

Celebrating Baby Lee (Quatro, if you will) with Reams.

Laughing until my sides hurt with best friends.

Steins petifores. I'm gonna be honest because we're friends. In 24 hrs I've had 3.

S'more pops. A little bit of Heaven on earth.

*Little nuggets of wisdom from Bradley.

Getting so much joy from the cuteness that is a mason jar.

Laughing until Reams cries about blueberries, paperweights and baby's first flight.

Spending good time with sweet friends.

Me and my sweet friend Robyn (aka Reams) and baby Lee Allison Robertson IV (aka Quatro:)

The shower was Cowboy themed and we had precious pictures of Robyn's husband dressed as a cowboy from his childhood. All of the guests signed a copy of the Pioneer Woman's new book, "Charlie the Ranch Dog" for Lee's library.

The ADORABLE diaper cake made by Bradley. She was voted the hostess MVP.

Trail mix was the party favor. The tag read, "Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Baby Lee will soon be here to meet all of his friends!"

We had fun putting Cowboy slogans throughout the house. On the left is George W. Bush's quote, "Some people say I walk with a swagger. Which in Texas is called Walking.
The sign on the right was put in the bathroom. :)

Some of the hostesses/BFFs (minus the Loj, we missed you!)

L-R Back: Me, Reams (Robyn), Bradley (Allison)

Front: L-Merc (Laura), Lynch (Allison)

This weekend was so fun! Reams, I hope you felt loved and celebrated! I can't wait to meet and love on Lee!

*"Are you guys taking Lee on your vacation?" ~ Bradley

"Yeah, he's gonna go." ~ Reams

"Ok, good! So when you get on the plane, make sure and tell the flight attendant it's his first flight. You'll get a certificate, wings, and you can take a picture in the cockpit!" ~ Bradley on level HYPED.

"If we had a shower hostess draft I would definitely draft you first." ~ Lynch to Bradley
"Really?????" ~ Bradley, whose eyes had lit up like diamonds (Best compliment she could have ever received!)
"Of course! Not only do you have great ideas, but you have all of the equipment. It's a no brainer." ~ Lynch

One Nut Shy of a Fruit Salad...

You know, just the normal family photo shoot following Mother's Day lunch....Mom brought candy cigarettes for the crew. Please note Papa's placed behind his ear....no words.

We really were short one crazy...missed you brother!

Mom, Mom, Mom, Mummy, Mummy, Lois....

Better late than never, right? I have not been the most consistent blogger lately. I'm not sure to what I owe the pleasure of blame but I'm sure it lies somewhere.

I let mother's day come and go without a mention on my blog and now I feel compelled to rectify that. If any mothers deserve a blog post dedicated solely to them it is the mothers that have the greatest impact on my life.

And why make the statute of limitations to just Mother's day? Without further ado...many thanks to the best of the best...

Mom, You're beautiful both inside and out. I do know how lucky I am to be yours.

Thank you for...

~ Loving me unconditionally. Even when I (at 26 no less) spilled nail polish remover on your (brand new) coffee table and it took all of the varnish off. I guess dad was right- "Kids are a money pit!"
~ Bringing my BLOOMERS to school my junior year of high school so I didn't have to show my entire high school my "goodies". Who forgets the most important part of their cheerleading uniform?
~ Your prayers. You are a true prayer warrior. You have always taught me the power of prayer and I can't underestimate the power of your prayers in my life. There is no telling what blessings I have received that I owe credit solely to your prayers for me.
~ Singing me show tunes, oldies, Elton John, Creedance Clearwater Revival and anything else that tickled your fancy. You are the best entertainment I can think of!
~ Telling me how much you and dad love me, but making sure I know that Jesus somehow loves me more.
~ Teaching me that the best meals need only 3 ingredients. Cheese, tortilla chips and Diet Coke.
~ Letting me eat M&Ms for breakfast.
~ Coming in to wake me up for school and then declaring it "skip day"! Those were the best days of my life. Not going to school, spending the day in my PJs with you, watching movies, ordering pizza....I pray I can do that with my kids someday.
~ Teaching me respect for authority. I was always more scared of the trouble I would get into when I got home than any punishment I could receive based on my offenses. Respect adults, respect authority, respect the rules.
~ Teaching me WHO I am and WHOSE I am.
~ Writing me sweet notes and journals giving me words of wisdom, quotes, encouragement, and little glimpses into your thoughts and prayers for me, Taylor and Kristen.
~ Always attending every.single.event from gymnastic meets to cheerleading competitions, football games, pep-rallies (in case I forgot my bloomers...), church plays, softball games. It didn't matter that you had 3 kids in 15 activities each. We always knew our biggest fan would be there.
~ Teaching me to be kind to animals. True love for the defenseless, the dependant and those that love us even when we're unlovable is something I see in you.

I love you, crazy!

Nana, where do you think mom learned to be such a good mother?

Thank you for...

~ Always coming to "grandparents' Day" at school. You were the HOTTEST Nana there! I was always so proud to have you sitting by me eating some terrible hot-pocket concoction.
~ Tea parties on the bottom of the pool. At this age, I can totally see what a pain it was for you to get your hair wet in the name of tea and crumpets in the shallow end! But those tea parties were the best.
~ Cantaloupe and a handful of Frito's after a long day of swimming
~ Schooling me at "Go Fish" and slap jack. I didn't know what a card shark you were!
~ Always coming to my defense when my parents got on to me in front of you. You always said, "Don't get on to her!" Even though I'm sure I always deserved to be "gotten on to"
~ Taking me with you to the beauty shop on Saturdays. When Joyce would let me do the paraffin wax I thought I was a Hollywood glam girl!! You taught me that a woman always needs to look her best! You have always been so beautiful!
~ Sitting out in the front yard singing "I see the moon" and looking at the stars. Just enjoying beautiful Texas nights and the opportunity to spend time together.
~ Teaching me the value of a Macy's coupon :)
~ Loving mom so deeply and showing us the precious relationship of a mother and daughter.

You are so precious to me my Teeny, Tiny Nana!

Claudia, I am so, so lucky to have you for a Mother-in-law. I fell in love with your son and you, Mark and Kate are sweet icing on the top! I would have never dreamed I would be so blessed.

Thank you for...

~ Sharing your chocolate chip cookie recipe right out of the gate! Very first Christmas and BAM! It is my all-time favorite cookie recipe.
~ Opening me up to the world of recycling, Farmer's Market-ing, reusable bagging, and... I'll stop there. Because we both know I won't be composting anytime soon. :)
~ Loving me and accepting me into your family.
~ Teaching me the excitement of a children's book. Your passion for children learning to love reading is wonderful. I look forward to you reading to grand kids and telling them all about Olivia, David and all of the other fun and fabulous characters they need to know!
~ Being my partner in crime when it comes to ordering dessert! The guys don't know what they're missing!
~ Your generosity. Not only to "us" but also just to me. You've truly accepted me right into your family and you treat me like one of your own.
~ Your prayers. We know you pray for us, love us and want only the best for us.

I love you all and thank you for molding me teaching me. If I am 1/2 the woman each of you are I'll be doing pretty well!

Puppy Love...

I love my dog. He's the 15 lb. king of our castle. He was the man of the house before Dave was, so he has a bit of a feeling of entitlement. I think that's the Yorkie in him!

This week is National Pet Week, so in an effort to show y'all my favorite family members and raise a few bones for the Town Lake Animal Center I'm asking for your help (no worries, you'll be spending my money, not yours :). TLAC is working to make Austin a NO KILL city!! The problem is that their current facility is just too small to house all of the animals. They have a wonderful network of foster families (though they could always use more!) and rescue groups as they strive to save animals.

Now for the fun part! I'm taking a page out of Sara's book (go comment there too!!)...

For every comment received on this post, Dave and I will donate $1 to the Town Lake Animal Center of Austin, TX!

With a second of your time (the time it takes to comment) you will help save an animal's life! And you will put a smile on my face with your comment.

Happy Friday, friends! I hope you enjoy a little fun in the sun this weekend! Love on your mommas! And thank you, thank you, thank you From Rookie and the Gyllenhalls! (Maggie and Jake are my parent's dogs...Rookie's BFFs and my other love bugs)

Breath of Life...

Do you guys watch Survivor? I have never seen a single episode, but I know it's very popular and has a loyal following because it continues to come on season after season. This morning, my radio show was talking about the last episode and the fact that the casted off contestant, Krista, left her luxury item to another player as she left. Their luxury item is the ONE item they are allowed to bring from home to the island. Krista brought her Bible. As she left, she asked if she could give her item to another player and she gave it to Matt, another believer who did not have his Bible with him. As she gave it to him, he smiled and hugged her and then he said these words....

"I can't explain how much that meant to me because...

that book just breathes life..."

In the last 3 months I have found myself in the biggest trial period of my life outside of my mother battling breast cancer. It has truly been a low period of my life which I have chosen to not blog about and am still not ready to fully disclose. However, as I listened to those words this morning I was overjoyed with how true Matt's statement is. "That book just breathes life."

For whatever reason God has called David and I to this place, but he has a plan and a purpose for us. I know this in my heart and I trust Him with our lives so I have hope and a peace for tomorrow. Please do not get me wrong, I know the way I want it to work out, but I also know that God is SO good. All the time. And He may not bless me the way I thought He would or the way I want Him to, but I feel certain the blessing will far outweigh my wildest dreams. I am certain in that. I've had the joy of a few travels in my life and I'm blown away at the beauty of this earth and I know that was all a design of the creator and a reflection of His love for us and His creativity. I know my situation is not new to Him and He will be so creative in His plan for us. I'm finding peace in that.

It doesn't mean I don't cry sometimes (and by cry I mean sob uncontrollably) or tell Him how mad I am at Him sometimes (He's big, he can handle it), but I tell Him that I am clinging to the promise that He gives me in Jeremiah 29:11 ~ "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." And I'm depending on Him to make good on His promise and fill me with hope, joy, peace, patience and an understanding that He is sovereign and He has this all figured out.

And the truth is, while I struggle with the desires of my heart that are so real it goes from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes, He calms me and reminds me that He is all I ever need. So I'll find resolve in that and beg Him to fill me with himself.

I'm not sure who first said it, but I know my mom always says it:

"Sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes He lets the storms rage and He calms the child."

So I will praise you in this storm.

My Cup Runneth Over ~

"But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children" ~ Psalm 103:17

Living Room Sessions...

Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch reading my Twitter feed and Dave was reading it over my shoulder. He said, "Who is that? Is she a friend from high school?"

I said, "No. I don't know her. We're just blog friends."

Dave: "Blog friends???? What does that even mean??"

Me: "It means we read each other's blogs and have gotten to know each other via blogs. I mean, obviously we've never met in real life.....yet."

He looked at me, completely puzzled, actually bewildered, and said, "You're living this entire 'blog' life and It's like I don't even know you!"

HA! I laughed for a good 5 minutes. I would totally have coffee chips and queso with my blog friends and then when he asks if I really know you I can say YES!