SPRING CLEANING

This was my "Home Upgrade Project" for the year

Our front walkway was just lined with a giant ugly bush and dirt.

So I fixed that. 

A little dirt never hurt anybody.

GIRL DATES

When The Mister is gone on scout campouts,

I like to bust out some recipes I know he won't even try.

For example, anything with peppers.

So Miss Barrett and I had a date together

Homemade BBQ chicken pizzas

(chicken, bacon, red onion, bell peppers, pineapple, cheese,
and LOADS of cilantro, obviously)

and Stuffed Bell Peppers.

Which we grilled. Cuz we can.

Some things Phil just chooses to miss out on.

But it's ok.

I still love him.

More for me.

FISHTANK

Phil's stepdad "inherited" an extra fishtank and stand

and let us take a gander at it.

You all know I'm not a pet person.

But crafty? Yes.

I couldn't say no.

Started with some staining. 

 Then I spray-painted the back of the tank black

so colors would contrast better.

And to hide all the hardware.

 And we got started.

 Frogs were the first to go in.

 And our little neighbor Parker did some "frog-swimming" impressions.

It's just the beginning.

JUST A SPOONFUL

Of CILANTRO.

It makes EVERYTHING better.

Including a boring bowl of same-ole tortellini.

Ho-hum lunches no longer.

Seriously.

Put. It. On. Everything.

THREE YEARS...

Of laughter and tears

Of joy and disappointment

Of peace and contention

Of mistakes and forgiveness

Of sacrifice and service

Of trust and teamwork

Of success and failure

Of effort and reward

Of commitment and growth

Of home and family

Of never giving up

Of loving my best friend.

Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Happy Anniversary love.

SISTER TIME

The precious moments of aunt-hood 

Seeing my blondies bond. 

 HOW. FRICKIN. CUTE.

A PAIN IN THE NECK

This is old, but...

I got to go down to San Diego for Michelle's wedding

which landed the day before Easter.

So we got to do some egg-hunting.

But Addie woke up that morning fussy

and wouldn't move her neck at all.

Being Easter, we figured she would forget about it

especially once she saw all the candy around the house.

But no, poor Addie held her neck with one hand,

and gingerly reached for "the goods" with the other.

It was the cutest/saddest thing I've ever seen.

After some treats and lots of rest

 The house was back to happy again.

 And Addie even got some stage-time with Uncle Adam

What a cutie.

THAT MOMENT WHEN...

...you turn your car on

and suffer a heart attack from the music blasting.

And then the funny moment when...

you realize it's Backstreet Boys, 

And your husband was the last one to drive.