Give me your honest opinion

I've been growing my hair out to look like this:

...but it's going to take at least another year to reach that length. I'm tempted to go really SHORT again. I had my hair like the one below about 9 years ago (15 pounds thinner) and I loved it. I grew it out simply for our wedding but I'm thinking about going way short again with this cut:


So friends, leave a comment with your honest thoughts. I really do want to hear what you think about these 2 extreme do's. If you don't know how to leave a comment, shoot me an e-mail because I want your opinion. If you know me at all, you'll know ultimately I'm going to go with my instinct (and what Caleb will like most- since he's the main one I'm out to impress) but I'd still like to get other people's thoughts.

To me, the longer do says "youthful, s*xy (can I say that on a family blog?), funky, sassy" The short do says, "sofisticated, smart, fun, sensible, good hair for photography days". My only reservation with the short one is that it will make me look pear-shaped. Okay, your turn... What do they say to you? Which suits me best and would look best on me? What are your thougths? Be honest.

Sunshine and Rain

Not sure why, but I associate rain with blessing. I guess it's because I'm from the desert. There's nothing I love more than a soft unexpected rain that makes you want to put on a big pot of soup for dinner, curl up with a soft blanket and read. I used to read books for me and these days it's usually books with bright illustrations and rhyming words. I'll take the trade for the sweet company wrapped up with me as the raindrops drip down the window pane.

That was the kind of rain that settled over our house yesterday. I had been working out in the yard all afternoon. While I was planting my new herb garden I actually heard a morning dove (see the previous post to understand the irony and beauty in that).The kids ran around the yard having a great time with our new neighbors and their old friend "sun" who hasn't been out to play a lot lately. It was wonderful. Finally, we cleaned up and went in for dinner. I went to the front door to water my rosemary plant on the front step. That's when I heard the lovely sound of blessing softly dancing on our roof and awning. I had been outside all day yesterday and would have never suspected rain! How did this get past my keen sense of awareness?

It was a God stop moment for me. It made me realize, we never know what God is up to. Sometimes, blessings are on their way and in plain site but we just don't know it until they show up on our doorstep.

Your Will is Better

I'm homesick today. Don't get me wrong, I love the Charleston area, particularly in the Spring. I love all the great friends we have here and a lot of valuable things that are going on in our lives right now. I am still, however, missing home. I've decided that whenever I miss something from home so bad I can hardly stand it, that I'll remember to thank God because His will is better than whatever it is I'm missing.

Your will is better than:

the smell of rain in the desert that brings out the aroma of the delightful creosote and acts like a medicinal syrum to my soul.

journeying through that favorite pass near the highest point in Arizona where the healthy green pines contrast with the back drop of pure snow until everything turns white in the Aspen grove. ...oh, and the endless fields of sunflowers in the late summer that are the size of straw hats on tall green stems.

eating at Mom's restaurant for the first time and seeing the work of my parents' hands established with my own eyes.

having cacti in the front yard, hearing coyotes throughout the night, the blackest skies with the whitest stars, and waking up to a handful of choice mountains to hike.

road trips that inspire and stir my artistic and creative side. Tuscon, Jerome, Sedona, Flagstaff and Cameron. Pottery... art... organic beauty...

hiking into the glorious Grand Canyon and knowing that I have a relationship with the One who is bigger and mightier than that place. He is the landlord of it and it displays the wonders of Him well.

day trips to Phoenix where exists some of the most enjoyable shopping and eating I know of. Feeling right at home in that city, even though I'm a small town girl.

seeing faces that have watched me grow up, in everyday places, like the store, the bank and the Post Office. They know my story, good or bad, and they are kind.

having an herb garden in my courtyard with the distinct sound of the morning dove, reminding me of sweet memories from years past.

watching my parents and my children build meaningful friendships that pull hearts closer together and pass down ways from grandparents before.

seeing the extreme side of God's color choices on Earthly canvas through purple mountains splashed against orange sunsets that are too much for pictures or words.

Nutrional Education

Bryant at dinner tonight: Mom, is coca-cola like a fruit... or something?

Me and Caleb in unison: No, it's not a fruit.

Bryant: Oh, it just tastes a little fruity.

Me: No, soda isn't healthy at all. This is cherry coke and you're tasting the artificial cherry flavor but even that isn't made from real fruit.

Bryant: Oh, that's why it's fruity.

I'm not really sure how to feel about that question. We very rarely have soda in our house but I can't help but think, when your 7 year-old asks if Coca-cola is a fruit, you may want to feed your children more fruit... just a thought.

3 Year Old Unsupervised With Camera

This is why I shouldn't leave my camera where DJ can reach it:

And just when I think my children couldn't possibly challenge me in any way they haven't already, they surprise me and act like perfect little angels. The moment is rare, savor it (I know I did):

Who Dunnit?

If you're looking for a great way to spend an evening and get some good healthy laughs, I highly recommend planning your own Murder Mystery party. I think it would have been so fun to be a fly on the wall to watch and hear all of us acting our little hearts out. I had the hardest time staying in character because it was so funny. Others, wouldn't break character for anything. The thing that impressed me most, besides the very well-thought out costumes, was the people who came prepared. One character for example, was a female escort (if you knew my friend Kathy, this would be HILARIOUS to you) and she came with a sequenced fanny pack "to hold her lipstick, cigarettes and her business cards". She passed out these business cards which read, "If you've got the money honey, I've got the time", to everyone at the party. I think she gave us all a healthy dose of laugh endorfins. I'm sure we all added a year to our lives with all the laughing that we did last night and will continue to do as we remember the great time we had. I know Caleb and I will never forget what a fabulous time we had at "Oakley's Mansion".

For a more well-rounded view of the evening please check out our friends' blogs:
Ted's video
Annie's Summary
The Diva's Account

This is my friend Tina who won best costume. You wouldn't know it but she is the mother of 3- one of which is a teenager:

For those of you who know the real Kathy (the one who has a basket on the front of her bicycle to take food to neighbors), this is hysterical:

Oakley and his faithful butler with the British accent who is from New Jersey???:

Me with some of my girls:

I love this group of people:

Funny girls!:

This is my friend Angela who won Best Actress. She stayed in character (to the point that it was a little frightening) as the Diva name Dalila. "Crack is wack!":

Breaking character for a quick kiss:

The Missippi female escort trying to get future business:

We had a blast last night at a Murder Mystery party with our small group. It was called Night at the Waskers, hosted by our friends The Magners. Everyone got so into their character and the costumes were incredible. It was more fun than I had even hoped for. What a fun group of people!

Gaining Weight, Thriving and Keeping Mommy Busy!

Just wanted to give an update on our little Elle-girl. About 3 months ago we had a rough doctor's appointment that left us concerned about Elle. She was under weight and her iron levels were low. Since then we've tried to bulk her up a bit and give her iron suppliments to help her get up to speed.
We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and found out she is doing well. She has gained 3 pounds since our last visit and her iron is at a very good level. I don't have to continue to give her iron drops in her oatmeal anymore.(Yay!) They will check her iron at her 18 month visit in May to be sure that her healthy levels are here to stay. Her height was in the 50% range and her weight in the 15%. The doctor said she's not concerned at all and that she'll probably just be tall and thin. Nothing to worry about.
She also says a ton of words like "Teeyoo" (Thank you), "Ommy" (Mommy), "Daddy" (of course she says that one perfect), "BAYbee" (Baby) and "Boo" (for peek-a-boo). She blows kisses and waves bye-bye. She also climbs on top of the table, which I'm not that happy about. Lastly, she has just learned to turn door knobs, making my job that much harder because it's not as easy to keep her out of clean rooms.
So thanks to everyone who has been praying for her. We appreciate it more than you know!