I left my heart in San Francisco

At the very least, I left a little piece of it there! :) I know that Andy will take good care of it so I'm not worried. What a wonderful trip!! I am so glad that I was able to go... that I have the kind of husband that will take it on himself to take over the house while I go out and sightsee across the country for three days. It's a wonderful city, and I was able to see it thru the eyes of a wonderful friend. What an amazing expierence.

It's Christmastime!

It's that time of year again! The sights and sounds of the season are everywhere... and they've been around since July it feels like. It's a wonderful time of year here in the Carolinas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I have been terrible at updating this blog... as per usual, I have been busy and forgetful. Somedays I think to myself that I might actually be losing my mind! I definitely need to partake in some Ginkgo Biloba...

Anyways, I hope that you all have a wonderful Turkey Day. May you all have something to be Thankful for. I know that I am so thankful for everything in my life - my beautiful family, my wonderful friends... both old and new.

Did you have a Happy Halloween?

The Draper's Did! I hope you all had a great one, full of mystery and childhood magic. :) Halloween is always more fun when your grown and you have your own kids. AND AND AND... you owe it to them to "inspect" all the candy. You never know when someone might put RAZORBLADES in there!!! Right? It's the right thing to do. You owe it to your kids.

Milestone #5476857645

Charlotte had her ears pierced this past weekend. She hopped off the bus on Friday afternoon literally begging me to go right. that. very. minute. So, being the uber cool mom that I am - I took her out and had it done before she had a chance to think about it too much and change her mind!

Charlotte is a free thinker. A free spirit. She takes life by the horns and lives it to the fullest. And even that first ear punch made her cry... she sat as still as a statue so the girl could get the second one even with the first, in just the right place. That's my Charlotte.

Everyone loves a Blue Eyed Girl.

And according to Charly, they love her even more now that she possess her first real bling.

Brat.

Madison and I struggle with each other all the time. She's at the age now, where she is really starting to assert herself. I know she is busy learning who she is, and what she's all about -- and a part of that requires her to test who she is apart from me. But BOY do I wish we could do that without the constant bickering!

She is 7 going on 17 for sure. If this is what life is now, it scares me to think what life will be like in another 10 years.

I know, that this too shall pass. And there are still moments where the teenage agressiveness that she seems to enjoy engaging in so much melts away... and for a moment, I have a little girl back again. Those moments are fewer and farther between now, but I guess that makes me cherish them all the more.

Old Friends.

Few people are lucky enough to be blessed with truly good friends. Great friends. Friends who tell you the good things without sparing the bad. That share the happiness in your life, and are there for you thru the rough times. The ones that never doubt you, never underestimate you, or fail to support you. The kind that will call you on your bullshit and laugh with you when you really need it.

They are the ones in your life that keep your head above water when it feels like you're drowning.

I have friends like this.

I'm truly lucky.