Recipe for a Perfect 14th Birthday

Start with one perfectly-crisp homemade waffle (syrup and whip cream optional)

Add one delicious Tall Vanilla Chai Tea Latte:

Hop in the car

and head to your *very favorite* little shop:

Look at all the colorful bobbles

and vintage goodies

including these fabulous bags (I want one!)

Try on a couple of gorgeous hats

Spend a few minutes loving these Little People necklaces:

And this cute little ring:

Take the fabulous birthday girl and her delightful sister across the street for yummy sandwiches

Enjoy the heck out of your tuna and cheddar

Spend the whole rest of the afternoon visiting other fabulous local shops

Enjoy looking at all the homemade goodness. 

Grab up your brother (who was at a sleepover), and head out for a birthday fiesta:

Practice your Spanish 2 skills on the waiter and laugh, laugh, laugh.

Roll your eyes at your mom as she pretends to speak Spanish.

Make one more quick stop before heading home:

Mix everything together. 

Add a whole big bunch of laughter. 

Finish the night by watching a movie together snuggled under your favorite fuzzy blanket.

Ta-Daa!

Birthday perfection!

Happy 14th Birthday, Maddie. 

You are my *very favorite* middle girl in the whole, wide world. 

I am so glad you were born.

I love, love, love being your mom!

XO,

Vicki

PS:  What you didn't see--gift opening or a birthday cake.  Because we didn't do that.  Maddie wants to wait until John gets back in town to do that part.  Isn't she awesome? 

Christmas Mini Album//2011

Hi Friends--

Ta-Da!  Christmas 2011 is in the books (literally!).  I just finished my Christmas mini album and I couldn't be more thrilled with how it turned out.  I used the supplies I got from The Creative Place kit I bought, plus a whole big bunch of my own supplies.  I kept the documenting rather simple, and did a lot of just picture-to-picture mounting so the book didn't get too thick.  I didn't take pictures of all of my pages, because you've already seen most of them on my Christmas blog. 

I can't believe I already have this album done! 

And now...on to the next project!

Hope you have a creative day!

XO,

Vicki

Quote Love

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XO,

Vicki

One Little Word 2012

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Hi Friends!

Well, it's official:  I have settled on "Nourish" as my One Little Word for 2012.  I went back and forth between a couple of different words, but in the end, "Nourish" seemed like the best fit for what I'd like to do this year.  I've got to tell you, I'm a little bit giddy about this word.  I think it's going to be a good one.  Seriously good.  Twenty-twelve is going to be the year I nourish my body, mind, and soul.  When I discussed my choice with John on New Year's Day, he kinda scrunched up his face (a totally different reaction than I got with last year's "Balance"),  but once I explained what "Nourish" means to me, he jumped on board.

Basically, I want to fill 2012 with people/activities/things that nourish me in some way.  I want to rid myself of people/activities/things that do not nourish me. 

Things that nourish me:

Body:  Healthy, conscious eating.  Going to the gym.  Swimming & biking.  Walking Buster.  Stretching.

Mind:  Reading.  Writing.  Teaching.  Coaching.  Blogging/Journaling.

Soul:  Going to church.  Taking care of relationships.  Creating.  Staying on budget.  Baking. 

I probably don't need to go into my list of things that don't nourish me.  Suffice it to say, I need to cut out the junk, workout my body, spend less time on worrying and more time doing. 

So far, so good.  I'm 3/3 on hitting the gym and have been reminding myself to eat foods that nourish, rather than harm, my body.  Yesterday I quit a committee that didn't feed my soul.  When I texted John about it, he texted back, "Nourish."  Love it!  I baked some bread on Sunday.  I love kneading and rolling bread;  it just makes me feel like I'm doing something good for my family.  Today I'm working on a creative project that will also help take care of my relationships.  I'm rockin' and rollin' on my OLW so far.

The true test, of course, comes later, when things get hectic and I don't want to leave my warm bed at 4:30 am.  I'm hoping that my OLW will help me when I struggle this year.  I'll check in periodically on my OLW progress throughout 2012.

Wish me luck!

XO,

Vicki



I Love Pretty Much Everything About Bowling...

...except for the part where you throw the ball down the lane.  : )

John is heading to Peru today so we had to pre-bowl yesterday for Saturday's league.  We packed up the kiddos and headed over to Sabre Lanes.  I had so much fun taking pictures (although the guy behind the counter thought it was completely weird that I wanted to take a picture of the shoe rack), and I even bowled a bit.  There was pizza and chicken wings, a couple of silly victory dances and a strike or two.  A good time was had by all.

XO,

Vicki

New Year's Eve 2012

Hi Friends!

Boy-Howdy!  We had so much fun at Amy and Bob's on New Year's Eve!  We ate at her taco bar (Ole!), drank yummy Margaritas, did a totally fun gift exchange (can you tell how much Andrew loved his Angry Bird bandaids?), and played "Wit & Wagers".  Have you ever played Wit & Wagers?  It's super-fun and a little bit addicting--I think we played about 6 rounds.  : )  We even managed to stay out past midnight! 

There's nothing like starting the New Year out with good friends!

Thanks for the memories, Amy and Bob!

XO,

Vicki

PS How funny is that picture of Fluffy?  : )

PPS  I love those Peace candles!  Amy made them!

Happy New Year 2012!!

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Let's make it the best one yet!

XO,

Vicki