Happy Halloween almost!

Oh la la! Scarlett is a French painter for Halloween this year. My mom made her a pint-sized bag for her paintbrushes and loaf of bread!

MO Part 2...

Thanks to the support of Scarlett's Papa, Columbia has a gorgeous trail system. It's part of America's longest "rails-to-trails" project that stretches across most of the state of Missouri and it's just awesome. Papa, Kiki, Brandy, Scarlett and I took Tucker the wonderdog for a walk along the trails one gorgeous day. It was so peaceful that Scarlett - who has only fallen asleep while on a walk ONCE in her entire life - fell asleep in the stroller minutes after that last photo was taken. Amazing what a slower paced life will do to a city-dwelling boohead!

MO Part 1...

We had tons of fun visiting Brandy's family in Columbia, MO! We all loved spending time with Papa, Kiki, Mamaw, Uncle Devon and Aunt Missy. Scarlett had a blast playing with her cousins, Jackson and Izzie. We did, too! They are the cutest little booheads. We also got to see Brandy's grandparents and aunt who drove all the way up from Alabama to meet Scarlett for the first time. Scarlett was a little shy and overwhelmed at first, but she warmed up to everyone in no time. And then she got sick and it was a bummer. And then she got better and it was great!

My husband of exactly 3 whole years

This picture was taken shortly after Brandy and I met in early 2005. I'm not sure we had even spoken much at this point, but I definitely thought he was cute and funny and nice. Almost five years later my feelings have changed. I now think he's super hot, hysterical and loving...and sweet...and talented...and an amazing father...and a devoted, thoughtful and doting husband. I knew I was destined to be with someone great, but I honestly never imagined I could be so in love or so blissfully happy. Everyday night as I lay in bed I thank my lucky stars I have this life. Thanks, Brandy Boo. I love you.

Getting ready for the chilly midwest!

Shady, I Know

The lamp you see here has quite a history with the women in my family. Actually, 'female' is a better word, but that sounds weird. My mom had this lamp when she was a little girl. She handed it down to me and I had it in my room growing up. When my brother had his baby girl about six years ago the lamp was loaned to her with the promise that it would be returned to me when I had a little girl of my own. I never actually imagined it traveling out west, but when Scarlett was born my sister-in-law mailed it to me. It was such a fun surprise.

Unfortunately the lampshade had seen better days, so I needed to find a new one. It took almost a year for me to get my act together and look for a replacement shade. It amazed me that in such a prosperous, sprawling city like Los Angeles I found it impossible to find a shade I liked (or a knowledgeable salesperson to help me). It may seem odd, but I knew there was a store in my small hometown that would have plenty of shades to choose from, so I packed the lamp in my suitcase and it traveled back with Scarlett and me to the east coast this past summer. It took about a minute of looking around the store to find the perfect shade. The kind people who worked there also installed a new harp and plug and fixed some of the fraying wires. They also instructed me on how to properly pack it to ship and supplied me with a box and peanuts. Not in a million years could I see that happening in one of those lame lamp stores in Los Angeles I visited, but I digress. My mom shipped the whole kit and caboodle out to me and it arrived shortly after we returned home. It now sits in Scarlett's room where we read her stories before bed. I love lamp!