The daught and I were driving through our neighborhood this morning, making each other laugh and working on our amateur comedy routine (we are hilARIOUS). We stopped when a tiny rabbit darted across the street in front of us to eat the veggies in someone’s garden. 

I told her that if a black cat crossing your path is bad luck, it seems reasonable that a cute baby bunny crossing us should be really good luck.

The daught’s response… 

“Makes sense. Maybe you’ll finally get lucky, mom.”

Here’s hoping, kid.  Here’s hoping. 

#TheLuckyBunny

#OurMomDaughterTimeIsHysterical

#WontWasteLuckOnALotteryTicket

#OutrageouslyOrdinary 

Nothing makes my children behave better than the promise of an Icee. They have managed to stain their mouths red though and are walking around like old women who couldn’t see well enough to put their lipstick on straight… But they are as happy as clams.  

#IceeBribe 

#OldLadyLipstickJob 

#LoveKidsLaughter 

#OutrageouslyOrdinary 

That smile they get after eating a little dinner and a lot of dessert. 

#MountainHouse

#FamilyHome 

#GrandmaSpoilsThemRotten

#SylvaNC

#OutrageouslyOrdinary 

Me and my girl on our date today. 

We created our new scents at The Fragrance Shop after a leisurely lunch. The staff was incredible, they made her feel so special and now we both smell amazing! 

When we walked out of the store Grace patted my shoulder, “People are going to stop and sniff us from now on. We better get ready for it.”  
I’m ready Raleigh!

#PublicSniffing

#MomDaughterDate

#OutrageouslyOrdinary 

http://www.TheFragranceShop.com

I intentionally chose to complicate life this summer by putting the kids in alternating weeks of camp. Both of them have asked for one-on-one time with me over the last few months, so this was the perfect opportunity for quality time and conversation. 

What I’ve learned is that:

1. They smile a lot more when I look them in the eye and really listen when they are telling me their silly and serious stories.

• Lesson: Their days can be just as frustrating, exciting, scary and wonderful as ours.  Their worries and wonders are real to them, take them seriously.
• Challenge: Set aside 10 minutes every day for each of them to talk in a quiet place without electronic distractions.

2. They love hearing stories about me getting in trouble when I was a kid and my crazy college hijinks, and it always sparks more conversation and giggles.

• Lesson: Letting them get to know the real me and the family characters before me is a gift they will be able to share with their children.  
• Challenge: Look through old albums and remind them they came from a long line of love and family.  Pride in family is taught, and it’s our job to teach it.

3. The hugs I have gotten over the last two weeks are unreal. My kids are always loving but they are hugging a little tighter and holding on a little longer now.

• Lesson: Kids need to know they are loved, and want us to know they love us. They can’t always voice what they are feeling, showing it is easier.
• Challenge: Never let go of a child’s hug first, no matter what you’re in the middle of doing. 

4. I haven’t planned elaborate adventures for the kids, but we do a little something each day to make them feel special. And they don’t ask for a thing when they know have my attention.

• Lesson: It won’t be long before they go through the friends first phase.  Any time they want to spend quality time with you, make the time. But make sure they know you want to hang with them just as much.
• Challenge: Make a date night with them at least once a month. Set the standard now and it will become a tradition forever.

So what I have really learned is that:

I am blessed to have two amazing children.

I am privileged to love them.

I am fortunate to like them just as much.

#DoYouLikeYourKids

#ChildrenAreABlessing

#KidsSayTheDarndestThingsWhenYouListen

#OutrageouslyOrdinary 

The kids and I went to the pool because being neck deep in a somewhat cool pool is the only time being outside in this crazy heat is tolerable.

They were playing so well together, swim-chasing each other in a serious battle of Dunk-A-Sibling that only slightly looked like attempted drownings.  It was one of those rare moments at the pool when I could enjoy a “quiet” second without having to fix the goggles, kiss the scratch, referee the fight, fetch the flying pool toy or watch the latest and greatest trick they can do.

I was flipping through the pages of my Garden & Gun magazine, taking a few minutes to redecorate my (technically imaginary) house on the beach, when a sweet grandpa swam near the kids.  He watched them splash around for a bit and with a Santa Claus kind of chuckle, he innocently yelled for all to hear “What are you guys doing?  Motorboating?”  My daughter, who of course had no idea why her mother choked on her drink, said “Nope, I’m just chasing him.”

And there I sat, flipping through Garden & Gun, trying not to snort too loudly.

#PoolPlay

#GardenAndGunMagazine

#BlessHisHeart

#NCSummerOven

#OutrageouslyOrdinary

This shirt describes my motivation perfectly.  Why else would I torture myself if it weren’t for the carbs?  Pilates and mowing the lawn have earned me a big cheesy pizza all for myself while the kids are at their dad’s.

Totally worth the sweat.

#WillRunForPizza

#CarbsLoveMeNoMatterWhat

#ItsHotterThanTheDevilsArmpitInNC

#OutrageouslyOrdinary

My phone said it was 102 degrees.  I’m not made for this kind of hot… I’m delicate 😉 We are a pale people. It’s like deep frying crispy bacon – there was no way we were walking away from a day this hot without burning.  Even the pool looked like it was in flames.  So grateful for the water though!

#CrispyDNA

#LoveBeingNearTheWater

#BestKidsEver

#OutrageouslyOrdinary 

I feel so young until I step foot on campus and know these whippersnappers can hear my Pepcid and multivitamins shaking in my purse.  

#Whippersnappers

#CollegeKidsLookLikeBabies

#UNC

#OutrageouslyOrdinary

Today I went on a date with my main squeeze. We laughed and talked the whole time we were at the restaurant.  We ate ice cream afterwards by a fountain where he gave me his penny and told me he hoped all my wishes come true… Little charmer.

We were telling my mom about our day, and I proudly told her it was the best date I’ve been on in a while.  My son pipes up (never one to miss a zinger, usually unintentionally) and says “But it’s been a really long time since you had a real date.”

Thank you for that.

You’re grounded.

#BestDateEver

#BoysLoveTheirMamas

#IShouldProbablyGetOutMore

#OutrageouslyOrdinary