You and Me

I've never been a huge Dave Matthews Band fan. Sure, I think I owned one cd of his back in the day and I've always enjoyed the saxophone on the song "Ants Marching", but I've never tried desperately to get concert tickets and I've never even downloaded one of his songs on ITunes......until now that is. I was driving along this past week when a relatively new (I assume) song of his came on satellite radio. The words touched me and I immediately thought of my husband. It's called "You and Me". I didn't spend tons of time paying attention to the verses but the simple chorus lyrics are

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby

You and me together, yes, yes.

Ryan and I have been through quite a bit together. I know that there are certainly other couples that have been through so much more than we have, but I do feel we've been thrown some curveballs in our eight years of marriage.

We have a child with a chronic life-threatening disease. Cystic fibrosis is a part of our everyday lives. There are times when it is very challenging and scary but I will never forget what Ryan said to me just hours after Hayden's official diagnoses came through. He made a decision for us that we were not going to be a "woe is me" family. We weren't going to go through life acting like Debbie Downers and feeling sorry for ourselves. Furthermore, we certainly weren't going to raise Hayden with that mindset. We were going to hold our heads high and, through our faith in God, our support from family, friends, and each other, we were going to stay positive. We were going to give Hayden as normal a life as possible while giving her every chance to succeed in a life that would already provide many challenges. I have forever been thankful that he stepped up and made that decision for our family in that very trying time. And I think that's another reason I love this song. There is a line that says:

And when the kids are old enough we're going to teach them to fly.

Isn't that what every parent wants for their children. To raise them with such love and support that they can grow up to be confident enough to fly - to soar, even- toward their goals in life. I want my children to belive there are no boundaries to what they can accomplish if they work hard and put their minds to it.

In addition to facing the CF diagnosis together, we have supported each other through times of anxiety and depression, the loss of a parent, the loss of many grandparents, the loss of a job and the ensuing job search, and the list goes on and on. Together we have made it through it all, standing side-by-side, loving each other more and more with every trial. I truly believe that, like the song says,........ together, he and I can do anything. Just try to stop us...........

Painted Chevron Rug

Ok, friends. Pu-LEASE tell me you follow the blog Tater Tots and Jello!!! She has some of the greatest craft and decorating ideas. EVER. Well, maybe I should actually hope that you don't follow her because, if you do, this post will be redundant. Oh well, it's too good not to share! Read her post in detail to get all the info. I WILL be making one of these as soon as I finish my Kiki Creates wreath. I'm just not sure if I want to make one for my entryway or for the nursery. Hmmmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Painted Chevron Rug from TaterTots and Jello

The Nursery Plans (thus far)

Ok, so I'm a planner. I start planning things like Hayden's birthday parties (Pink Poodle theme this summer) and what she's going to wear for Halloween waaaaayyyyyy before it is necessary. You combine that with the fact that I live for an excuse to re-decorate and, OF COURSE, I'm going to have the nursery planned at only 14 weeks into pregnancy! So when we found out a couple weeks ago that we are having a boy! (Ian Bradford. We, of course, already had that picked out going in!) I immediately started pulling together ideas. Well, ok. If I'm honest, I'd already picked out some bedding I liked a couple weeks before our ultrasound. :)The thing is, it was custom bedding and, the more I thought about it, I really didn't want to pay almost $400 for crib bedding. I knew I could use that money in other areas of the room. So this past week I started combing the internet searcing for something else I liked. I want this room to be on the modern side with dark walls and white furniture. Here is what I found and what I have come up with so far: (click on the links to visit the websites and see things in better detail)

Mod Dot bedding from SkipHop

My plan is to paint the chair rail in the room white to match the white crib and trim and then paint the walls the color of the darkest dot. I order the fabric swatch card because in the pic I can't really tell if that color is chocolate or dark grey or a dark grey-ish brown. Whatever it is, I'll match it.

Below the chair rail I am going to paint an over-sized argyle pattern with some of the other colors found in the bedding. I can't wait to get started on that project! I will painting the dresser we have the blue color and then glazing it and adding colorful knobs. Should be super cute and should stand out against the dark walls and other white furniture pieces.

Ok, here's where I have been having fun.....what to hang on the walls?????? Etsy to the resue!!!!

This is what I have found on Etsy to hang over the dresser. They come unfinished but I will paint all of them differently in the colors of the room. Some solid, some with pattern. Then I will hang them in a big collage. I've seen it done on an HGTV show one time and it looks adorable.

From the Etsy shop Bornagainfurniture

Next is what I'm pretty sure will be my favorite part of the room once it is completed. I found 8 different modern-ish prints in different Etsy shops that I absolutely LOVE!!! They will customized to the colors in the bedding so they all match. Some will be 8x10 and some will be 11x14 but they will all be in the same modern, white frame. I am going to hang them in a collage above the crib. Here they are..... again click on the shop links to check out their other items.

From AppleBlossomPrint

From AppleBlossomPrint

From AddigailDesigns

From AddigailDesigns From sugarfresh

From PosterPop

From AppleBlossomPrint

From Chaiv

So that's the main stuff so far. I need to find fabrics for curtain valances, rocking chair cushions, pillows, etc. along with lots of little details. But, considering I have until Oct. 1st, I think I'm doing pretty good on time. :)

Yummiest Mac 'N' Cheese Ever!

Talk about comfort food!!! This recipe for homemade mac 'n' cheese is divine! I found it on Martha Stewart's website so I knew it would be good. This recipe is for a 9x13 pan but I found it made waaayyy more than our family of three could eat. The next time I made it, I cut the recipe in half and did a square pan. You could also make it for a side dish but we had it as the main course with some french bread and fresh salad. Enjoy!!!

4 T. butter, plus more for baking dish
coarse salt and ground black pepper
3 c. elbow macaroni
2 (12 oz.) cans evaporated milk
1/3 c. skim milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 (8 0z.) packages extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated (I used the finely shredded and it was fine)
1 (8 oz.) monterey jack cheese, grated (again, I used finely shredded colby-jack) paprika

Directions:
1. Butter a 9x13 baking dish. Prepare macaroni according to directions; drain and stir in butter until melted.
2. Whisk together evaporated milk, skim milk and eggs. Add seasoning salt, garlic powder, 1tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. In another large bowl, combine cheeses.
3. Place 1/3 of the macaroni into pan, place 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat two more times. Once layers are complete, pour milk mixture over the top. Sprinkle with paprika.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-45 minutes.

Adorable Spring/Summer Wreaths!

I MUST make one (or both) of these wreaths!!! They are from the blog Kiki Creates and are absolutely darling. In my opinion they are perfect for Spring and Summer. Now I just have to decided which wreath to copy first! If you like craft projects, you'll definitely want to check her blog out. Click on the pics to visit her blog for more details.

I'm off now to find a tutorial on how to make rosettes..........

Edited to add: Well, I didn't have to go very far in my search. She has a tutorial right on her blog for how to make the rosettes. Check it out HERE.

My new favorite products!!!

Wow! What an anti-climactic return to blogging, huh? I did one post and then wrote absolutely nothing for about a week! I've really gotten out of the habit of writing regularly. I promise I will try harder from now on!

Soooo, I had a friend request that I do another "product" blog post. This is where I talk about my favorite purchases in makeup, skincare, haircare, etc. I have a slight addiction to makeup and I also have an addiction to telling everyone in my sight about makeup products that I reeeeeaaallllly love. I feel that everyone NEEDS to know that Loreal Infallible lipgloss in Sunset is the greatest lipgloss on the planet and that it looks good on everyone and that it really does stay on forever because it sets into an almost liquid lipstick........for example. One of my readers told me that, after reading about it on my blog, she purchased Clinque's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey and that it changed her life. Ok, so she might have been exaggerating slightly but, hey, I never underestimate the power of a good lip product. So let's get going, shall we? I have more lives to change.

1. Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream

I am getting to that age where I have to use a scrub regularly. My skin just doesn't seem to have that flawless glow anymore (ok, I don't think it every really had that but you know what I mean). I was complaining to a friend who works at the local Bobbi Brown counter about how I am having hormonally-related breakouts and how I feel as though I have little bumps of blocked pores all over my face - my chin and forehead, especially. He walked over to the Clinique counter and got me a sample of their 7 Day Scrub Cream.

Well, I sure did run out and buy a full bottle after my sample ran out. I LOVE this stuff. It is effective but gentle. It is very important that the scrub you are using has little smooth spheres to scrub your face or you will be doing more damage. I won't name names but, I once had an aesthetican tell me that a brand rhyming with "schmaint schmives" was horrible for your skin because the apricot pieces were jagged, therefore making tiny cuts in the skin where bacteria could get in and hide. She made me promise to throw it away.

I have also found a problem, though, with scrubs that don't do a darn thing. They don't have enough scrubbing power. That's what I really like about this Clinique scrub - it's gentle but extremely effective.

I use it every morning so my skin is fresh and free of any dead skin before I moisturize and apply makeup. I can really tell a difference in my skin since I started using it. I'm still having to deal with hormonal breakouts since I'm preggers but I definitely feel this scrub is helping to keep it in check. It is $18.50 but you don't have to use much with each wash. They must have samples at least some of the time since I received one. You might ask for one at the Clinique counter.

2. CoverGirl Natureluxe Foundation

I have never been a huge foundation user. I have just never liked the way it felt or looked on my face. Up until lately I've been able to get by with just some concealer and powder but, at almost 30, I'm needing a little something extra to look my best. I haven't had much luck finding something I like. Everything I've tried has either looked to heavy (I HATE the look of stuff just sitting there in my pores) or it wasn't enough to actually be worth putting on.

So I decided to give the new CoverGirl Natureluxe foundation a try. After seeing Taylor Swift so fresh-faced and beautiful I just had to try it. (I am a marketer's dream!) Well, it in no way made me look as darling and precious as Miss Swift but I was very impressed with this product. In fact, minutes after putting it on my face I texted my bff to tell her she needed to get some.

First of all, I found the fragrance pleasant, but what I really loved was the silky feel it had when I put it on!! Apparently they don't call it "liquid silk foundation" for nothing! It blended perfectly and seamlessly and gave just the perfect amount of coverage - not too much, not too little. It didn't settle into my pores, which I'm a little OCD about. It also has SPF 10 for a little bonus. Since you can find it at the drugstore, it isn't a huge investment. I definitely think it would be worth your giving it a try!

3. Loreal HIP Shadow Duo in Electrified

Yeaaahhh, so the actual product looks nothing like this picture. I mainly just wanted you to know what the packaging looks like to help you find it easier at the store.

The thing that is great about Loreal's High Intensity Pigment (HIP) line is, just as the name implies, the pigment is very concentrated. What you see in the package is what you are going to see on your eyelid.

The purple side is actually a beautiful plum in person but, to be honest, I've never even used that side. The magic is in the other side. I don't even know what to call this fabulous metallic color. It's a gold-ish, silver-ish, metallic taupe-ish color. Was that helpful??? Honestly, you just need to go look at it at the drugstore. It is a fabulous shadow in the fact that it goes on perfectly, blends easily and it stays put. What I can't get over, though, is the color. I put it all over my lid up to the crease for maximum impact. You can wear it with anything because the color almost morphs based on what you are wearing or what other makeup colors you have used. I think it would probably change hues on different skin tones as well to where it could be flattering on everyone. A friend asked me the other day what eye shadow I had on, telling me she was mesmerized by it. Pretty cool, huh? Who doesn't want their eyes to be mesmerizing, for heaven's sake!

Now this eyeshadow is not for the meek. You could probably get a lighter application by using your finger but this is a very noticeable, metallic shadow. I use it primarily at night. Run out and get it before your next date night or night out with the girls and bat those lashes.

Ok, so that's it for this post. I have some more products but I'll save them for another post. I'd love to hear your feedback if you try any of these. Especially if you find any of them to be life changing.

I'm BAAAaaaaack!!!

Well, hello everyone!!! It has been almost a year since I posted here and it's wonderful to be back! A lot has happened since I was last here!

I took the year off because, on April 17th of 2010, I was crowned Mrs. Oklahoma and I needed to keep up a separate blog during my reign. Being Mrs. Oklahoma was such an amazing honor. I met so many wonderful people, had the opportunity to compete at Mrs. America, and I had the time of my life. It kept me very busy and I think my family is happy to have me back, but I will be forever grateful for the opportunites I had throughout 2010 to speak out about cystic fibrosis and create awareness for the disease. I never did quite get that blog all the way up to date (I took sooo many pictures at all my appearances!), but if you are interested in checking out what I did during my reign, you can see it all at www.mrsoklahomaamerica2010.blospot.com.

Just four days before I competed at the Mrs. OK pageant, my father passed away suddenly. He had been in the hospital for a few months battling pancreatitis caused by a bad gall bladder. He was supposed to recover but, on April 13th, he had a pulmonary embolism.

I was a complete and total daddy's girl. I relied on my dad so much and I never dreamed that one day he wouldn't be there anymore. Not while I was in my twenties, especially. It has been almost one year since he passed away and I still miss him so much. I miss his laugh, his quirks, his advice and his hugs. I miss watching him play with Hayden. I find myself worrying that she won't remember him as she gets older. I keep the last picture taken of them together in a frame in her room. She still talks about "Pa-Pa" every now and then. On his birthday she said "I bet Pa-Pa is having a huge birthday party in heaven!". Her comments about him always bring me joy and they remind me that he's never very far away. He's watching over us from heaven and the day will come where I will hear his laugh and will once again be swept up in one of his huge hugs. Knowing that brings me peace.

Well, my reign as Mrs. Oklahoma began with the ending of one life and, as we found out the morning of the pageant this year, the reign ended with the beginning of another!!! January 22nd was the day I passed on my crown to this year's Mrs. Oklahoma, Megan Murray. I took a pregnancy test that morning and, lo and behold, it was positive!!!!! It was fun getting to wake Ryan up by waving a pregnancy test in his face! We are extremely excited and Hayden is beyond thrilled to be a big sister. I find myself thrilled that she will be five when the baby comes because I am pretty sure I'm going to need her help! I am 11 weeks and a day today so things are truckin' along with the help of anti-nausea medication and the drive-thru at Taco Bueno. Their slogan doesn't lie. It IS more bueno, my friends. It is.

So, I figure that that's enough for me to throw at you in one blog post. I hope you'll continue to visit me as I talk about family (mainly Hayden), my favorite beauty products, and other random happenings in my life.

Ahhhhh, it feels good to be back. :)