RED Obsessed

I recently realized my favorite color is apparently red.  I looked around me and realized that I gravitate towards having red accents in my life.  In the house, I have my bright red shelves in the den, the kitchen is red (since 2003), and our bedroom has red.  My purse and hat and gloves are red.  My phone and iPad cases are red.  I tend to scrapbook with red paper and accents.  

When I came to this realization, I don't know how it wasn't more obvious to me.  Our wedding color was red.  I wore red for my junior prom and my senior recital.  I have chosen red over the years for important or prominent things in my life.  

I guess it's time to officially declare it: Red is my favorite color.

No Offense, Mom...

Today I got my hair cut.  I hadn't had it cut since last May, so it was very long and in need of some big-time chopping.  I had several inches cut off, as well as bangs cut in.  I knew the kids would notice right away, and they did.  Their different reactions were so funny.

Annah walked in from school talking about something and instantly gaped and said, "Oohhhhh Mommy, I LOVE your haircut!!!" and went on gushing about it.

Sylvia gave me a big hug and told me how nice it looked and sang a little song about how much she loves her mommy.

Caeden contorted his face in recognition of a drastic change, then went on chattering about school.  Later, I asked him to come sit on my lap.  As he wiggled and twisted around and literally kicked me in the face, he said, "No offense Mom, but your hair looks kind of weird."  I don't know how that kid has 3 girlfriends!

I should also say that Jeremy noticed it right away too, and commented that he liked it.  Whew.

Sharing the Moments and Memories

We live over 200 miles from both sets of the kids' grandparents.  That is one of the main reasons I keep this blog, but one set of grandparents doesn't have a computer or Internet.  So, I made a 2011 year-in-review mini album for them to have a little peek at some of the special and everyday moments we had last year.  

I really enjoyed doing this project, and I hope they will enjoy looking through it.  It only took me a few days to put together, because I had kept up with my photo organizing over the year, and I used stories right off the blog to print out.

Although I have done well with blogging and keeping photos organized and printed each month, I have not done much scrapbooking the past couple years--maybe 20 pages each year.  Doing this little project made me think about the ways I keep our photos and stories.  Maybe planning layouts for every special event or photo is not the best way for me, since I take SO MANY photos!

Then, the other day, I saw a post about Project Life pop up on Facebook, and I have been looking into it more seriously than ever.  I am now really intrigued about an easy, already organized kit that can be as simple or creative as I want it to be!  I'm very much thinking I will finally try it out!  Now, I just need to decide if I will start with this year, or go back and complete it with previous years' photos and incorporated the pages into my scrapbook albums...

LEGO Shuttle Launch

All three of the kids were playing with LEGOS in Caeden's room today.  They had built the space shuttle as well as a launch pad and mission control room.  I was able to be there for the shuttle launch and to record the entire successful mission.

Who let the dogs out?

Caeden is pretty good at the kids' new Wii game, Just Dance Kids.

What season is it?

More proof that it's been unseasonably warm for a long time now...My flowers are confused!!  I have a feeling they're going to remember this when Spring really does come, and they're not going to be too happy about it!

Back to School Again

The kids all looked cute this morning, so I took some pictures of them before school...

Love these 3, SO MUCH!!!!!

Beautiful Winter Sunset

This evening, God painted an amazing sunset, unusually beautiful for January in central Illinois.

Annah and I both noticed it at the same time, from inside the house!  She was looking out the eastern window of the house, and I the south.  This gorgeous colored light just filtered in through the windows all of a sudden, and we couldn't help but take note!

Knowing it had to be even more glorious to the west, I immediately grabbed the camera and ran outside to the backyard to shoot these photos.  I did absolutely nothing to edit them.

We appreciate God's handiwork, and the beautiful blessing He gave us today!

Rockin' the Look

My hubby looked so handsome today in his new sweater, shirt, and tie!

He is always having fun.

I think he's a pretty dapper guy!  My parents gave him these nice new work clothes for Christmas.  He says, "Thank you, Mom & Dad!"

LEGO Duck Pond

The kids and I are enjoying their last day at home before going back to school tomorrow.  They are still in their jammies, playing the day away.

Together, they made a LEGO duck pond.

I think the little ducks are so cute!