Procrastinating...

I have refused to admit it most of my life.  I have covered it up with excuses of "I work best under pressure" and "I just haven't had the time before now."  The only reason I am even admitting it now, is that there are all of 32 people who even read this blog...so here it goes...I am a procrastinator!  
Yep, that's me.  While I am a planner, organizer, and somewhat Type A person, at the same time I put things off...again, and again, and again...
Right now, instead of writing this I should really be completely some school assignments.  Especially with the house so quiet!  Even more so since is it the last week of the semester, but no, I am doing things like this...
Browsing Christmas ideas on Pinterest...

http://pinterest.com/pin/161425967864466674/ Doesn't that look tempting?????
Looking through old photographs...

Where did those paci loving baby boys go?

Reading this...

This is a new project of mine...reading Young Adult literature.  Like I need another project!  Don't tell Jer!

So I have confessed.  I am the master of putting things off.  I just wish I would be more constructive with my procrastination.  I could at least go put the pile of dirty dishes in the dishwasher or fold the 15 baskets of laundry that have been sitting on my floor all week.

When did this happen?

Where did those freckles come from?
When did he lose his baby cheeks?
When did his eyes get so deep brown?
How did he get so tall?
And skinny?
What is that look?!?!
When did my baby become such a little man?  I must of dozed off or blinked!

Top 11 of 2011

Wow!  Unlike most moms posting their top 11 pics of 2011, it wasn't difficult to narrow my pics down to only 11.  What I discovered is that I DID NOT pick up my camera enough in the past year...complete embarrassment and shame!  This is something that is definitely going to change for 2012!
Here they are in chronological order...
1.  Taking pics for Mommy in the Texas bluebonnets was not Jack's idea of fun.  I caught this right before his signature dramatic sad face.

2.  Sweet Baby Jude turning 1!  This is just after the Bernal ritual of getting chocolate birthday cake smeared all over your face.

3.  Cracker Jack getting excited to see the animals at the Pumpkin Farm...genuine excitement!

4.  My sweet boys waiting, as patiently as little boys can wait, for the hayride.

5.  Jude giving me is best dimple face.

6.  Jack again, being not so eager to pose for Mommy.  This was caught in the middle of him getting as far was from the camera as he can!

7.  Loving bubbles!

8.  Sweet siblings.

9.  My Sweet Baby Jude suddenly turned into a little man.  This picture makes my heart swell and break all at the same time!

10.  A rare quiet and fleeting moment.

11.  A boy and his robot...pure bliss!

Cowboy Picnic

Being home with the boys the last few days has been a rare treat for Jer and I.  It has been a nice change of pace. We have forgotten our hectic daily torture commute and are just, well....being totally and completely LAZY.  It's been heavenly!  The boys have loved it too.  Lazy in their world means staying in pajamas and being more rowdy than any teacher, aunt, or even Granny would ever allow.
Complete freedom from routine has made them a powerful force...a force that brings me to my knees, in exhaustion and prayer, pretty much hourly. So, early this morning when the house became silent, I was terrified to look and see what new messy disaster was waiting for me to clean up.  To my shock and awe, I found my darling duo sitting quietly on their sister's bed having a "Cowboy picnic"...according to Jack.  

I think Jude was just taking a breather before taking on Jack in a jumping on the bed duel.

There was something so sweet and peaceful about my rough and rowdy boys being surrounded by girly pink, just enjoying some quality time together.  

Like most events similar to this, it was fleeting.  Jack broke the calm with a "YEEHAW" and duel was on!  First one to get a knot on the head that doesn't require stitches is the winner!
Life with these two is exhausting, but it will never be boring!

Hello! It's Me!

I know!  I know!  It has been forever since I have updated, posted, or even LOOKED at my blog.  It seems that my life has been on fast forward for several months now, and even more apparent that my pause, stop, or even my play buttons are all broken.  When things get that insane, something has to give, and unfortunately it has been this blog.

I have missed it!  I have missed the energy, creativity, and inspiration that writing brings, but most of all...I have missed the communication and interaction from my virtual friends.
So, Hi everyone!  This is what we have been up to...
This Sweet Boy turned 1!  We had a fun Monkey party and enjoyed many chocolate cupcakes.  I still can't believe he is no longer my infant.  The past year is such a blur!

We have taken a few road trips to Louisiana.  Mostly for the babies to get spoiled by Granny and Papa Joe, while Jer did a little fishing in Sportsman's Paradise.

This Miss Priss turned 6!  She was counting down the days, and couldn't wait!  As soon as this birthday past, she began her countdown for number 7.

We had some beautiful family portraits made by Watermelon Photography.  As you can see, Sweet Baby Jude was more interested in climbing stairs than saying "cheese"! I just love this picture!  Even though at the time all I wanted to do was cry.

My office made a huge move to Dallas.  It is a much further drive, but the offices are amazing!  I also have a new carpool partner.

Yep!  My sweet hubby Jer and I are now working at the same company!  It has been an adjustment for our entire family, but at the same time it has been such a positive change and rewarding experience for us both.

That is what we have been up to.  What has been going on in your world?

Reminder Board

You may have seen my post this past fall about my Gratitude Board.  We are still using it as much as possible.  It is such a great reminder of our countless blessings.
My blessings aren't the only thing I need to be reminded of lately.  I am still suffering from Mommy brain. It must truly be lack of sleep.  Jude is teething and Jack is having nightmares...sigh.  
I find that I have lists and post-its all over my desk to remind me of daily details I need to take care of while sitting at my desk.  You know, the little things that you need to do while sitting in front of the computer, calendar, or contact list...well, I have forgotten many of those lately.  Forgetting them makes life just a litte more hectic and completely drives me insane!  Who needs more hectic!?!?
So, I decided to make myself a Reminder Board to write all those little "to-dos" that need to be done for the day/week.  Excuse the awful pictures.  They were taken in the middle of the night with my phone...thanks to those toddler nightmares!

It is simply a picture frame with patterned paper inserted.  I added a few ribbons to take the cute factor up a notch, and used a dry erase marker to make my list.  You can get the full instructions here.

I erase my "to-dos" as I complete them, and add new ones as I think about them.  This might actually help my case of Mommy brain.
I also have made one to use to announce sales and such at my Vintage Couture Trunk Shows.

Another quick and easy project!  You should try it!

Ribbon Easter Eggs

I wanted to dress up some plain, white, plastic Easter eggs, while really committing to using just items from my stash.
I tried covering them in glitter...FAIL.I tried a pattern of buttons...double FAIL.I tried fabric and modge podge...triple FAIL.
Then, the light bulb finally went off and I tried my ribbon scraps...

SUCCESS!!!

They turned out to be adorable with very little effort and money.  I {heart} little effort and money!  These did take a little longer than the wreath.  It took one 2 hour episode of Dancing With the Stars vs. an hour of Grey's Anatomy.