weekend in al ain.

a sincere attempt at a family photo.

mac is off for 10 working days in celebration of eid, and national day- both UAE holidays. This weekend we went to Al Ain, a small city about 2 hours from Abu Dhabi, and were able to stay with our dear friends Richard and Catherine. They, along with their parents, had us for Thanksgiving and I am so grateful that we were able to spend it with people that we really care about. The church in Al Ain is very small. It has approximately 25 active members, and it is held in a small villa that the branch president and his wife reside in.

It was a good feeling to be among the saints there. They are so few, but so strong in spirit. There was a filipino sister there that had been living basically across the road from the branch for two years, but because of many circumstances, she did not know the church was here! She just found it recently, and the members still talk of that day- how strong the spirit was and how overjoyed she felt to be back amongst the church.

We were able to visit the Al Ain zoo. Despite the fact that Owen was throwing up in every garbage can because of car sickness, it was a surprisingly large and beautiful park.

Later that evening was spent amongst new friends at a lovely backyard barbeque. It was an experience I won't forget. The setting was gorgeous- a balmy evening and clear night sky, beautifully kept garden, and seating lit by candlelight. We were served delicious food- tandoori chicken, bbq lamb chops, salads, exotic fruit and all the diet coke i could drink! The best part, though, were the incredibly gracious hosts and wonderful guests. They hailed from all over, from Singapore, to India to Colorado Springs! It was great to have some time to socialize with such interesting people.

This morning we were able to visit the late sheik zayed's home. He is the man responsible for uniting the emirates, and is much loved and respected by the people here. In fact, that is a great understatement. He grew up in al ain, and only recently passed in 2004. His home was restored and we were able to visit it today.

here are some pictures.

the late sheik zayed's home.

thank you.

from the lovely naomi.

i am excited to celebrate this thanksgiving with my very immediate family. it will be spent thinking of those we love and miss.

today my family and i will be counting our many blessings; something we can do no matter where we are.

soukin it up.

life is pretty good. i have a wonderful husband who cooks breakfast before he goes to work. he is kind and generous. my two boys are handsome. asher is tender hearted and fun, and owen is...well, owen.

the beach across the street from us just re-opened, and it has a beautiful wooden boardwalk, volleyball nets, and several cafes. Thursday nights we usually get a pizza, and eat right on the beach. We let the boys play in the sand and just be boys.

we finally purchased a car. it's been great not to have to take taxis to church, and to be able to actually sit in front with hubs instead of in the backseat wrangling monkeys. (because, get this: car seats aren't required here, and you best believe i was NOT installing car seats in freaking taxis every time we went out.)

having a car also allowed us to check out the fruits and vegetable market and the plant souk for the first time, which was wonderful. I can't believe how much better the produce tasted and how beautiful everything looked.

among my treasures i found yesterday, i have a favorite.

a little orange tree. it was so sweet, and i've always wanted one.

so our was little cr-v was filled to the brim yesterday with delicious veggies and fruits and plants. the kids charmed the vendors and we got some sweet deals.

It certainly isn't home, but I am really growing to love this place.

word to your mutha.

yes. i'm a bad mother. in a span of two hours, owen locked himself in his room and broke the door handle off, thus, forcing the handyman to bust his door down, and then casually left the apartment without my permission, and rode the elevator, past the security guard, to the market downstairs.

son of a.

also. this arab guy cut my hair into little pieces. i hate it.

ps. i miss burts bees chapstick, pilates, and amanda buie.

what happened.

my baby isn't a baby anymore.

dubai and getting high.

We just arrived back from Dubai- my first time to the city. It's pretty spectacular. We stayed at the Westin resort and while hubs was conferencing, the kids and I lounged at the beach. Of course we went to Dubai mall, and saw the amazingly huge and fantastic aquarium. Owen of course died. They also had a breathtaking water fountain show which I loved. We ran into a fellow blogger, caitlin, who turns out to be hilarious and awesome. She is a designer and we have a ton in common. I think we will be great friends! She invited me to her friend's house the following day on the Palm Jumierah, which are the infamous islands in the shape of a palm tree. Her place was more than great, and we had a fabulous time.

Of course, that's the condensed version of the story, and if you want to know how many times I had to put owen in time out and how many times i had to restrain myself from punching him for running away or how many hot soccer players from uruguay were staying at our hotel, you can e-mail for a more accurate account.

i didn't run the whole time while i was there and was totally jonesing by the time i got home. i love getting nervous each time I go. i like to break my runs down into small bits. The first is the crappy bit. I have energy, but my breathing isn't regulated and often times I'm achy since I never stretch.

The second bit is work. Just getting my breath regulated, aches leaving, but still work.

Then the third bit is good. Usually around the third or fourth mile, any pain leaves, i forget about my breath, and start to zone out. This is a good time especially when you have a good playlist of songs. At the end of this though, i hit a small wall. This is where I get to test my strength. it's usually where i either stop and I'm done, or i push through it. I never know what i'm going to do before i get there, and thats what makes me nervous. but when my brain and my body decided together that we can DO it, that we can keep going- that where the best part comes.

the runner's high.

hubs wants to know what this feels like. well- it's pretty great. like all the stars aligning just perfectly. of course it doesn't last too long, which is why you have to appreciate and savor it when it comes. but when it does, you remember why you do this in the first place.

you're three.

may be my favorite.

i was at the market today and saw the new issue of elle decor. it's fabulous. I love stumbling onto a new ( for me at least) designer that really resonates with me. it doesn't happen very often lately, since instead of perusing mags on a regular basis, i change diapers and get thrown up on.

Darryl Carter, an interior designer based out of D.C., just might be my new main man. i really reaaaly like his work.

so today, while one child ate paper, and the other...who knows- i sipped tea in the sunlight and got inspired.

i love it when that happens.

london calling.

loving this house.

don't trip.

I know i haven't been blogging like normal. we still don't have the internet. i need to keep a regular journal, because a lot has happened and now i don't remember. but i will try.

monday i took an extra long shower and blow dried my hair to get ready for an amazing dinner at the emirates palace hotel. hubs was invited to the festival of thinkers and we went.

we just happened to see professor nash, karim abdul jabbar, along with one of the sheiks, up close. all while drinking out $350 baccarat crystal glasses. It was magical.

We saw a friend from Utah whose daughter sang, along with an indian dance company who performed Jai ho, the king of flemenco and some other people. There were beautiful fireworks, and delicious food, made even more delicious knowing that our kids were in the hands of our new and fabulous babysitter, nelly.

mac wants me to give his computer back so i have to go. but know that i love you and i won't be a blogging loser for much longer.

schizophrenics.

i think i might have a mild case. i think owen does too.

it was a hard weekend. sacrament ended in sobs. by both he and myself.

fraud failure. that's what i am. my child has multiple personalities and most of them are mean.

Just lately though. I'm so glad i'm out of the easy terrible twos and in for the real challenge of threedom.

freak.

if anyone was an exoricist for halloween and knows any tips, feel free to contact me.

i'm in a little place called emotional hell. I'll give you my p.o. address.

after i put this dream out in the universe, i'm going to live in the present.

the now.

but i'm just putting it out there that when we move back to utah, i want to buy a teeny house and make it really nice. it will have a great yard and be in a greater neighborhood. with sidewalks and street lamps.

here's the kicker. i want another house. except this house could be up in the mountains. (preferably in midway.) it could maybe have snowmobiles and wave runners and we could maybe spend holidays there and summers and weekends. it could have a huge fireplace for the cold winters and a pool for the hot summers. a warm comfy place to make traditions and memories with my family.

yes. i like this dream very much.

weekend in abu dhabi.

this weekend, hubs wanted to go go go. I wanted to take naps and stay in my pajamas.

he won.

nassim, our friend from pakistan.

i can't wait to go wave running!

i've seen cuter camels.

i love this photo.

i love our family.

chubby does it.

do you ever run for other people? Some days I do. Running is a very interesting sport. Either that, or i'm just weird.

I've been running for a long time. Like since middle school. I've run a marathon. I run every day. I think it's safe to call me a "runner". But for some reason, I feel like a fraud. Every morning I get up and run and have to convince myself that I can do it. Of course I can do it! I do it everyday! Still, I get nervous.

I like it though- nerves are good. it's just funny. On those days where I really don't want to get out there, I run for other people. Yesterday, I saw this kind of chubby guy. I thought to myself: "his wife is probably chubby. I'll run really fast by him so he knows children are NOT an excuse to be chubby."

or this one chick today. the only reason i sped up was to pass her. Am I a bad person? I know I'm competitive, and that I have an even bigger ego. Maybe that's just it. I'm a bad person with a humongous ego.

problem solved.

i'm still going to run faster in front of chubby dudes.

people. people who need people.

part of getting settled means finding great people to occupy your time with- and we're making great headway. Mac's colleague, the one who got him this job, is surprisingly hilarious. His wife Cat, is my greatest dream. Then I told you about Cria, the adorable irish woman with a daughter named Millie. we are like twins. no seriously. i already love her to death.

then. how cool is the church? friends for everybody! owen even got a hot girlfriend. how's this? we got a ride home from someone (i'm not naming names) in the quorum of the seventies. that's (for non mormons) like somebody way important. His wife taught modern dance at BYU (are you kidding???) and I want to be her. she is taking me to an african dance class and I intend to be better at it than her.

being that i'm african and all.

then the sullivans. they are aussies. i love them too. just all around good people. all of them have great stories, and I'm so excited to have mates to sit at our enormously large and fabulous dining room table.

they took us to the beach. hey. did you know that ocean water is salty?

ok. i knew that too. I'm just making sure you know that it's like really really salty.

also. sand is really sandy.

i found me some friends.

they both have long blonde gorgeous curly hair.

damn it.

one is called cat.

it's too bad that owen can't stand her.

the other is called cria. she's from ireland and got me saying 'brilliant'.

I guess I like the letter c.

cause i really like these girls.

even the garbage is pretty.

i'm not this chubby looking. it was a bad angle. or something

did i mention that I live in a beautiful place?

not bad. not bad at all.

for the record.

hello.

they like shrek.

and cuddling.

and making me laugh.

he likes baguette runs with dad.

i like

him.

where's the nanny.

everybody has nannies here. like- everybody. I was planning on it when we first started this process, but now, it seems weird. Do I just hang out while they take care of my children. Or do they just lend a hand when i start to lose it. which i guess would be every 3 minutes.

Since i'm so much darker than my kids, when I'm alone with them, people really get confused. "who does this nanny think she is? running around and dressing up like a westerner."

See the problem is... lately, with this blazing heat, I look indian and my kids look muslim.

I guess I will always have this problem no matter where I go.

either way. they are cute and i'd eat them even if i was their nanny.

settling in.

more furniture keeps arriving. we now sleep on a bed. we have night stands and a dresser. We sit in front of a tv and put our feet on a coffee table while looking at our pendant lighting. We are still awaiting another sofa and chair and our dining table and chairs.

I've been going for a run every morning. I love it. while running yesterday, I made my first friend. She is Irish, and has been living in London forever and just moved here recently. She lives around the corner from me and has the sweetest baby girl. I really like her a lot. I'm looking forward to hanging out with her.

the kids and i went swimming at the hilton today. We went on a slippy slide that I freaking loved. I guess I forgot how much fun water slides are.

We are happy and good.

here's a sneak at some fun things at our house.

ahhh.

ooh. i'm so excited to show you pictures of our new house. it's really coming together. I would say the downstairs is like a modern take on a beach house. and then my bedroom.

oh how i love it. can we say all white. yes. please.

we're almost done.

free saunas.

have you ever sweat so much that little beads streamed down the baby hairs on your neck and dripped onto your shoulders?

eww. me neither.

Oh wait. i'll take that back. i was a sweaty beast today. Today was hot. like. h.o.t. I went for my run around 8:30 and it was so awful. Just imagine a sauna, (a very steamy one) and thats what it's like outside. I've never experienced anything like it. And i know, i know, this is nothing. It can get 20 degrees hotter than this. i'm scared.

I'm in for a beautiful winter though, and I'm looking forward to my runs when i'm not dripping. i'm so glad i brought my b.o.b stroller- i just need the sun sheild. Even though the kids do great on our runs, i feel bad that i'm slightly baking them. i take like 2 gallons of water with me, and the stock shade covers their whole bodies, so don't call social services or anything.

I think if I run every day and walk every night, I'm not going to concern myself with stupid diets. Especially when there is a bakery right next door! I'm eating a lot better that I have, (except for the spoonful of nutella every night) and I am still seeing progress.

Our furniture is coming tomorrow. Don't ask me how I've been living in an empty marble house with two small children for 6 days. (the youngest of whom recently gained a love for climbing stairs.)

not fun.

But what is fun is that I got the most fabulous light fixtures to hang in our front room, and I really love our sofa. Mac of course bought a man's dream...a 50" plasma and I can't wait till the place is painted. I really love our little space, including the bidets and the garbage shoots, and soon we will be ready for visitors!

photo via

reality.

City living reared its ugly, and often stinky head at us tonight. It was an absolutely perfect morning and afternoon. you know. i like lists and routines. I got to do both. Another 50 minute run on the corniche, shower, market, off to freaking IKEA again for more more more things.

Please can I tell you about my market?

This isn't just a corner store. This is a full blown 'small' grocery store. It's called Choithram Market and it's run by some of the nicest indians you will ever meet. They bake fresh bread and pastries and have fresh and delicious indian food to go. Their chicken is 'hand killed' and I swear I can taste the difference. They help me carry my bags back up to my apartment and they LOVE my children. Everytime I come in, they get so excited, run up to asher and start kissing him and taking pictures with their camera phone. It's kind of bittersweet to see, because I know most of the men have left their families in india for years to be able to provide some sort of living for them. So their hearts must melt when they see children. And really that's how it is. There are so many foreign workers here to do construction and labor and they are all just enthralled with my children. So many want to pick them up and just hold them. Most just stare and smile. So sweet.

Mac wanted me to meet him at another mall after work because we still haven't found a dining table that we liked. This mall is on the other end of town. I had to wake the kids up early from their nap and Owen WAS NOT having it. He literally screamed the whole car ride until luckily there was one of those dumb car carts in the mall that shut him up for a second.

Still. no dining room table.

Whatever. I don't even feel like finishing this story. Just know that taxis and buses sometimes suck. Especially when you have a delirious toddler and a sack of sand for an infant. I'm not discouraged though. It's was kind of hilarious now that I think about it.

routines and arabs.

My feet hurt. My back aches. I'm not used to all this walking. I am now officially a city girl. I literally live like in.a.city. My coolness level has gone way up.

We woke up early and had breakfast on our stairs before mac went to work.

I went on my first run on the corniche this morning. This is a large path that stretches for miles along the arabian gulf. It was early morning, and it was hard- but absolutely beautiful.

Then i showered and went to the market downstairs. It was so nice to think- I'm only buying what I am going to eat today. what a notion.

The kids played, I did laundry, had lunch and put the kids to bed for a nap.

Mac got home a little early- I made my first dinner of sauteed chicken and a green salad. We left for IKEA and finally purchased a bed and desk.

I like this routine.

Tonight, while waiting for a taxi, this man in robes pulled up in his suv and offered us a ride. My brain was like: are you kidding me? don't take rides from strange arabs.

but then mac was like sure. thank you. and then he was the freaking coolest guy ever. His name is Abdullah.

It's the experiences you are least expecting that become the most treasured and life altering. Now we are having our first emerati over for dinner.

These are beautiful people.

we made it.

I'm in my master bedroom right now. It's one forty four in the morning. We are going over our budget. I have a headache. We are sitting on our lonely mattress in an empty room. Our kids are asleep.

But earlier this evening, we had dinner at Amassi, a place right across the street from our apartment. We had our new favorite drink, lemon juice infused with mint. yum. We sat in the dim lit restaurant and observed. Later, we walked around our new city. At night is when everybody comes out.

Crazy drivers. Women in abayas. Men in their elegant robes. Radiating heat.

Tonight, though, there was a breeze. We strolled past all the shops and talked to the Iranian rug dealer. Did you know that Iranians have the most beautiful rugs you've ever seen? They are hand knotted from silk and have 900 knots per square inch. That's a lot of knots.

I've been taking taxis, and saying hi to doormen, and looking at the ocean from every window in my house. All things I've never done before. except once, when I took a taxi to the statue of liberty.

Things are really good.

our front room.

chocolate croissant from the local bakery on our patio.

my husband is hot in every sense of the word. and the humidity LOVES his hair.

and so do i.

holy crap.

adios.

we'll see you on the flip side.

like literally cause we're moving to the other side of the flipping world.

my new baby.

so i'm spoiled. i've got the best husband who got me a great new camera and made me great children to photograph. adventures here we come!

morning therapy session.

I woke up nervous today. I've been doing that lately. This little ball of fear is born while I'm sleeping and then wakes me up in the morning. I stifle him by taking lots of deep breaths and changing two soggy diapers. That always does it. Today I did it by going on my first run on Wasatch Blvd. since I started going to the gym.

I don't know why that particular route is always a spiritual experience for me, and I don't care. today, the air was crisp, the sun was bright, and I was alone. All ingredients for a good run in itself.

and then the old guy appeared.

One of those seasoned old men that run with sporty glasses and a hat and loose short shorts. He was running on the other side of the street and crossed right in front of me, thus creating a little competition between me and him. I love it when I have someone running in front of me. and he was fast. I was able to see the payoff of what going to the gym everyday for 14 weeks can do for you. I felt strong and fast and in control. I never passed him, but he took me way farther along the boulevard than I was planning to go. Thank you old guy.

As I turned around to complete my route, I looked to the left- out past the freeway, down onto my sleepy little town, out across the valley and to the mountains to the west. I thought about how much I would miss this run, this state, this country, my family, my friends...everything. It wasn't a sad thought, but a hopeful one. I am looking forward to coming back to my favorite things and people a better person. I have so much growing to do. And that's my goal. To return a changed person. Better in every way.

I looked up from my thoughts and saw the friendliest lady runner coming towards me with the biggest smile on her face. I realized that I had already been smiling and wondered if that was why. We gave each other a big cheer and a high five and went on our way. I sprinted up the hill that had punished me so many times before. I finished strong just as the sun creeped out over the mountains.

I love my little boulevard.

one more tea post.

Some of you wanted to know more about my tea tricks. And after watching the biggest loser tonight and crying my eyes out, I'm even more determined to reach my goals.

So, I really like the bold flavor of Tazo's Refresh tea. I drink whatever, though. Most tea companies have some sort of peppermint or mint flavor. I really like the idea of having a peppermint plant and just steeping the leaves as you saw in my earlier post. It tasted amazingly fresh and strong.

I usually add coffee mate creamer to add thickness and to add sweetness, but you don't have to. I guess I just have a sweet tooth.

So...what are your fitness goals? I know you have them. Let's put them on the table and do this together.

Except I won't cuss in your face like Jillian does.

or i can. if you want me to.

answers to questions.

it's a phenomenon to watch your body as a young single girl, morph into it's post pregnancy shape in all it's womanly loveliness. The stretch marks, uneven and saggy boobs, soggy skin, popped balloon stomach syndrome and overall fatter wider and smushier than before.

When I got married, I weighed 135. I was constantly critical of my body then, always wanting to be thinner. Looking back, I realize that 135 and 5'10'' is something I would run over puppies to get back to.

When Mac left for Dubai, I was 165 and unhappy. My jeans were tight, and I had a spare tire that wouldn't quit.

How I lost 18 pounds is mostly due to the fact that I have gone to the gym 5 and sometimes 6 days a weeks since June. It has changed my life and has become my job. I love it, and won't get into how much I will miss my little treehouse gym.

Since I full on admit that I'm a food addict, I needed to find a way to curb my appetite and cravings. I found my answer in peppermint. I love to drink peppermint tea anyway, but one day I was reading an article which said that peppermint aids in digestion and helps get rid of belly flab. I've really noticed a huge difference in this, but what I really love about my little tea drink is that it totally curbs my appetite! I use creamer, and it creates this warm, comforting drink that totally satisfies me when I want to eat crap.

A typical day for me looks like this:

breakfast- oatmeal or a piece of whole wheat toast w/ peanut butter

workout for 2 hours

lunch- grilled chicken snack wrap w/ no sauce from McDonalds. sorry. i'm lazy.

afternoon- a cup of tea

dinner- usually a cup before I eat and a sensible dinner (high protein, low carb, with veggies)

evening- a cup of tea before I go to bed.

This little routine has been working for me, and I'm hoping to stay on this track for a little while longer while I work on my trouble spots... my hips DON'T lie.

I know a bunch of people have asked what I've been doing- so there it is. I hope it helps!

i'm in love.

i'm currently floating down from the major high i just had.

i have a spectacular husband.

it was so good to see and touch him, to watch him light up at the sight of his children, and to have him all to myself for a whole day...and night.

he's off to minneapolis for a convention for a week, and when he comes back we're off to continue our little adventure.

but for now, here's the start of it...

priceless. owen was so so happy to see his dad. he was speechless.

i was quite happy with my outfit choice.

we got home, woke up, and swam with the kids. my sister and brother in law were gracious enough to take owen and asher while hubs whisked me off to...


the brand new waldorf astoria hotel in park city.





dinner downtown. i had elk. he had a salad.

weird.

breakfast at spruce.

we were so inspired by the place. the smell, the rugs, the chairs, the robes- the experience was:

magical.

i'm so grateful to have such a great husband and friend.



fyi: i have so far lost 18 pounds. i bought a two piece bathing suit, and i wore it.

navy pier, cousins and such.

a few more fun pics from my trip home.

fyi: i'm freshly waxed, painted and ready for hubs to come to.night.

yippee!

yummy.

check out the giveaway i'm doing on my design blog.

from print*pattern*paper

some thoughts.

is it weird that i'm leaving everything i've ever known in two weeks and that i don't have anything to say?

don't get me wrong, i'm very excited.. i just thought i would be more thoughtful at a time like this.

There are so many things that i will miss and things that i don't even know i will miss yet.

i will miss watching owen playing with his cousins, being taken care of by my mother-in-law, target, my zumba class, friends, and snow cones among other things.

but i'm ready though. i am ready to take this leap with the person i love the most- to pack my bags with my very most precious belongings and hopefully be on my way to becoming that wise, well traveled, silver haired woman with skinny dreads and lots of turquoise jewelry and clothes from j.jill that i always wanted to be.

ahem...

Meet Megan.

this is megan.

she's a graphic designer.

she also won my contest for freaking cutest kid's room in the world.

go read my words.

one more.

tanya manganyi from south africa.

note to self.
go there one day.

beauty.full

i'm always looking for images of beautiful black women and today i was blown away by these.

carmen solomons from south africa.

you go girl.

9 more days.

chicago was great. the gym was great. enjoying the beautiful utah summer was great. but nothing is going to be as great as pulling up to the curbside pickup at the airport in a super cute outfit to come get you. I imagine what it will be like every night before i go to bed. i feel like how i felt the week before we got married. counting down the days. i can't freaking wait.

your sons. well, they are beautiful. and nice too. owen is huge. even huger than last week. he is talking in sentences and listening and being (somewhat) logical. and guess what? a stranger asked what his name is and you know what he said? he said, "owen". i love cuddling with him and watching him get himself dressed and going swimming with pop and singing his favorite songs. asher is also the hugest child alive. and as cute and sweet as ever. i really think you are going to enjoy munching on him.

me. well, i look pretty good. i'm definitely a pant size or two smaller and i have some hope that someday soon i'll have a rockin bod. i want to go to school for something cool like photography or art history and buy a treadmill and take pilates and yoga at this studio in abu dhabi i looked up online and get a pedicure every week. i never realized how much better you look and feel when your nails are manicured.

so you come home in nine days and i will come pick you up.

xoxo.

ta ta for now.

going home was great. i'm heading off for SLC today, but for now here are some of my favorite pics.

ambrosia:gorgeous.

Check out my feature on Jenn, the coolest mommy/blogger/designer on my design blog.

a) i like these rooms. b) double trouble.

via desiretoinspire

i'm flying tomorrow with 2 kids, 2 car seats, a double stroller and 2 suitcases to chicago to see family and friends before we leave for dubai.

let's pray we sit next to someone that is baby hungry.

wasatch women's love your body 10k.

I DID IT!

i would advise not to run if you've thrown up in the past 24 hours, but whatever. I still woke up, got dressed, got excited and ran with lots of women to finish in 1 hr : 9 min.

i know that's slow, ok?

but i'm happy i have legs that continue to serve me- day in, day out. My body is good to me. and so are my inlaws. thanks for watching my kids and for my mother-in-law for waking up at the butt crack of dawn.

ok. i'm going to take a nap.

hope you have a lovely weekend!

***post edit!

i just weighed myself- i've lost 11 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yikes.

i'm running a 10k tomorrow! (despite the fact that I've had the stomach flu.) i didn't think i was going to be nervous, but you always get a butterfly or two when you're strapping on your time chip- no?

wish me luck!

ahem.

I know you already check my design blog every friday to get the hipitty hippest insights on design for your kiddos, but in case you don't, (which you should) I'm letting you know that I've got an awesome giveaway from Trendy Peas! They are giving away a customized alphabet print for your precious girl or boy.

All you have to do is leave a comment by Thursday, the 28th of next week to enter!

this also cheers me up. a little.

who knows who the other black person in this photo besides me is???

how could this happen.

photo via paper tissue.

so i'm going to lose. and I hate losing. everyone should tell me how wonderful i am before i do something drastic. don't think i will? just you wait.

hopefully the tiger's blood snocone with extra cream i'm about to scarf down will cheer me up.

and my trip to chicago. yes, that will definitely cheer me up.

hoedown throwdown can suck it.

ok. just kidding.