To Cut or Not to Cut

That's the question.

The same question I ask myself every summer when it's smoldering hot in TX and time is at an absolutely minimum (with 2 kids clamoring for my attention).

When your hair is long like mine there are many advantages and disadvantages. The advantages go like this:

• it does look nice when it's done
• I get lots of compliments
• I feel a little younger
• I'm not sure my hair looks good short
• my husband likes it

(okay, these advantages are sounding very vain right about now, except the last one)

Here are the disadvantages of long hair:

• 30 minutes of blowdrying
• lots of maintenance
• lots of hair pulling and eating (by Bubba Tub Beckett)
• its HOT in the summer
• it ends up nasty when you-know-who spits up in it
• it ends up in a ponytail most of the time

Okay, as you can see...many more disadvantages than advantages. But the disadvantages sound much more legit than the advantages.

Here's a picture from Summer 2005 when it was the shortest it's ever been. I didn't particularly like the cut, but it'll give you an idea of me with shorter hair.


So...I need your help! What do you think? Should I cut my hair? I'm not talking about a Katie Holmes bob or anything, just something a little above the shoulders, maybe to the chin. I am itching for a change and a little coolness too. June is the month of hair cutting for me. I only cut my hair twice a year so after I decide that's it for another 6 months. Vote in the sidebar and then submit a comment about how I should get it cut. Like specify which celeb's hair would look good on me or the type of cut you think would look good.

Then I will decide which advice to take. If you win, I'm taking you to the salon with me! Just kidding (unless you want to go!) If you win, you get the honor of winning on my blog! And I'll make some bows for your daughter (if you have one).

Thanks in advance! Don't forget to vote and comment! The more the better!

Taylor Joy & Angel Michelle

I was organizing pictures and came across this video from Spring Break of Angel and Taylor Joy. Allen always calls Angel, my parents' dog, Angel Michelle, so that title is for him. The thing that Taylor Joy and Angel have in common is that they both LOVE to play! Enjoy!

*by the way, Angel is definitely playing with Taylor and is in no way vicious or ferocious*

On the Phone

Taylor just picked up the "phone" in her kitchen and said,

"Hello?"
"Yes..."
"Whatcha doin'?"
"Yes..."
"I'm just cookin'"
"Yes..."
"Mommy's just cookin' too"

So sweet! I wonder who she thought she was talking to... Probably Daddy!

Taylor Tot Turns Two!

Say that 10 times fast!

Happy Birthday Taylor Joy!

Taylor Joy,

You are more precious than I ever imagined you would be.
You have more spunk, curiosity and joy than anyone I've ever met.
You challenge me daily to become a better mother to you and your brother.
I love it that you live and breathe enthusiasm with everything you do and say.
I love it that the room just lights up when that big smile of yours breaks out.
I love it that my world is brighter place with you in it.
And you've only been in this world for 2 years...
What a treasure you are and will be.


Some funny conversations we've had this month:

We went to the VandeVanter's one night and while the boys were outside playing, Taylor went to the potty inside. When Allen came inside I wanted Taylor to tell Allen about going to the potty.

Me: Taylor, do you have something to tell Daddy?
Taylor: Ummm... (long pause) Happy Easter!

Ha! Okay!


One day she was playing with her brush and she told me, "Mommy, brush hair, mommy! Real messy!" Oh, great. As if I need critiques from my two year old!

We'll be walking along and she things like, "We're just walking, mommy." in her sweet little voice.

She has a favorite blankie that her aunt B gave her that she sleeps with every night and carries around the house with her. Before bed time we go to find the blankie and bring it to bed with us. Several nights when I asked she would say, "Blankie's in the dishwasher!" That blankie has to be washed very often and I'm pretty sure the dishwasher just won't cut it!

She is at such a funny age where everything she says is just stinkin' cute or hilarious.

Do you have any special memories with my Taylor Joy? Has she blessed you lately? Share your comments here. I want her to be able to look back and see how the Lord has used her all her life when she is old enough to appreciate it.

A Dedicated 5 Monther!

This post has a two-fold purpose. First, Beckett is 5 months old today! I can't believe I'm typing that. Not just because these 5 months have absolutely FLOWN by, but also because I was determined to make him stay a little baby for a long time! Now, I know he's still little, but my plan...it's just not working! Any tips, anyone???


Okay, there are a few things he's loving this month:

• Watching us eat (yes, I think he's getting ready!)
• Playing with toys...everything goes STRAIGHT to the mouth! He has gotten so good at holding them!
• Watching his big sister...he just cracks up at her. There aren't many times he laughs harder than when she is up in his face laughing!
• The new swing in the backyard (actually Taylor's)

One thing he's not liking so much is his new tooth! While he is normally the happiest baby, once that tooth popped through he has been quite a bit fussier than his norm. He's been waking up more too!


Did I mention he has the longest eyelashes ever!




The second reason for this post is that Beckett Cole was dedicated at church on Sunday morning. Every time I dedicate a child I feel like Hannah who dedicated Samuel to the Lord in 1 Samuel.

"As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.
And he worshiped the LORD there."

There is something so special about dedicating your child to the Lord, knowing that the whole church not only stands behind you, but is also willing to step up to the front lines and shepherd and instruct our children. I absolutely love having a community of believers come alongside us to help us in one of the greatest blessings and most trying (at times). It is such an encouragement to my heart. Here are some pictures from the dedication: (the B's are above: Aunt B and Beckett)



My fam...

Aloha-palooza

Taylor Joy's Birthday Luau was Saturday and it was so much fun! What started out as a little get together ended up being much bigger than I expected. I really wanted to use her birthday as a reason to get together with family and friends (who also happen to love Taylor Joy) and then invited a few of her friends as well.

It was something I would LOVE to do again. As a matter of fact, I think we should have a luau every year, whether it's Taylor's birthday or not! Don't get me wrong, she had a blast too! Here are some pictures from the par-tay!

Here are all the kiddos eating hot dogs. I had great plans to cook elaborate shish kabobs and all the fixings and Tuesday night (I think) woke up at 3 am thinking/planning/worrying about how I was going to get it all done. I realized right then that I had to do something different rather than be stressed about a little 2 year old's birthday party. So hot dogs and sausage links it was! They turned out great! But, sometimes it takes that happening for me to realize that it's NOT about me being the "hostess with the mostest" or giving the best party ever, it's completely about celebrating our daughter and fellowship with those who love her. I made sure all her babysitters were invited too, to let them know how much we appreciate them! Can I tell you that we have yet to PAY for someone to keep our children? That's how much everyone loves miss Taylor Joy! (and Beckett of course!)


Some lovely ladies...



So much for posing, we know what's on Taylor's mind!



Well, I guess if you're making me pose...



Starting to dig in...



Finger lickin' good...



Wow! This is incredible!



I'm on a sugar high now, mom! No nap today!



Beckett got decked out too! Here he is with Mima and Gpa:



Just chillin' after the party...



Doing a little cooking in my new *gourmet kitchen...



Thanks Mima and Gpa! I LOVE it!



*this kitchen is seriously nicer than mine. Stainless steel appliances, decorative molding and tile backsplash...the burners even light up and make noises. The microwave and phone are interactive. This is one of those gifts that only grandparents could give!

Vote for Jason!

It looks like he's REALLY gonna need our help after tonight! He did awful! And his phone lines are totally open! Ahhh! So much for my fun concert!
Tonight Jason Castro will compete to be in the Top 3 Finalists of American Idol. He's an amazing singer and I want to see him sing in person on Thursday night at A&M.

Ya'll he's gonna have a concert at A&M on Thursday night if he makes it to the Final 3!!!

Let's help him so we can see him! How cool would that be? I would love to be watching American Idol, knowing I was there (since they'll show a segment on his return home and his concert). So get out there and vote vote vote for Jason Castro!

Party on the Potty!

Do you see this completed chart? Do you know what that means?



To me, it means:

• Only ONE baby in diapers!
  
• Less (I almost put "no more") nasty diapers to change
• An extra $40 a month
• We won't own stock in Boudreux's Butt Paste anymore (or less at least)
• No more trying to think of ways to get out of changing a poopy (aka getting Allen to change it)
  

To Taylor Joy it means:

• Wearing pretty panties
• "Flipping it!" (flushing the toilet)
• Washing her hands and making silly faces in the mirror
• Getting a star sticker

Ya'll, Taylor is POTTY TRAINED!

Yippee! We are so proud of her for catching on so quickly. It's funny because at first when we would put her on the potty and she would go, I must have said something like, "See, it's not so bad!" because now she says that every time! So funny! Yeah, it's not bad at all, it's wonderful! I'm so thankful that it was an easy process!