say hello to my little friend

That title made me laugh - haha! I said it with an Italian/mobsteresque accent, you all should too. It will make you laugh. Anywho...

Since the doggy didn't work out, I have had one broken-hearted little girl on my hands. Not to mention an immense amount of guilt. And I think I have found the answer to Olivia's prayers...

I may or may not have named her Snooki...Ok, I did name her Snooki. She is orange just like Snooki's tan. I love the name. She was free, & she is so lovey dovey. And we are all happy. Well, maybe not Jarrett. He didn't want a cat. But we took a vote, 3 to 1. He lost. He should get used to that. Haha - that also made me laugh.

Welcome to the family Snooki Totten. We love you already.

Dentist & Pre-School Screening

Tuesday was a busy day for us. I had the day off work -- YIPEE!!! Nothing better than having a day off & getting to spend it with my girls.

Olivia had a dentist appointment. Yay for no cavities! Dr. England said she looked "perfect" - it's always great to be told by a Dr. that you have done well with your children. She got her picture taken & it is proudly displayed up on the "wall of smiles".

Rachel had her pre-school screening. I tell you what, if kids can find a way to make you a liar they will do it. I was concerned about her being shy & not talking to the teachers. But let me tell you, that was so not the case. My Rachel was a little social butterfly talking to anyone & everyone that would listen. She counted to 10. She cut with scissors. She did everything they asked her to do. The teacher told me "she's a young 3" - I knew that already. And for her age, she is doing everything that she is supposed to be doing. Yay for no concerns! Bottom line: we won't send her to school in the fall even if she does qualify for the public school program. She will still be 3 at the start of the school year. That would just be too much.

We came home and made cookies. They actually turned out good. I owe part of the thanks to my BFF Haley - she gave me some baking advice that actually worked. And contrary to what my husband says, I baked them with love - not the typical bitterness & hate that he says I bake with. Haha!

All & all, a good day.

Wordless Wednesday

nice outside...finally

The weatherman did not disappoint us this past week. It was really a very pleasant weekend too. We took full advantage of the nice weather.

Saturday, the girls wanted to play outside, so we did. We were outside practically all afternoon. I think the sunshine was great for all of us. Olivia declared it to be the best day ever. And of course, Rachel chimed in with the same response. And I definitely have to agree with my girls.

Seriously, I wish you could hear the laughter that accompanied these huge smiles.

I feel like we have finally found the light at the end of the seemingly never-ending tunnel that is Winter in central Illinois. I have had enough of being couped up all day every day. And, believe me, it could not come at a better time. I was nearing a breaking point. They (meaning Drs & what-not) say sunshine has vitamin D in it which is very good for you. What I say is that hearing your kids laughing their heads off & having the time of their lives right in your backyard is also very good for you. I felt better this weekend emotionally & physically than I have in a very long time.

I'm looking forward to several more weekends like this, I can hardly wait!

The Big 10

Dearest Jarrett -

Today we have "officially" been together 10 years. 10 years...wow.

Did you think to yourself on that cold February night, when you picked me up about 45 minutes late, that we would be where we are today? I don't know if I knew it that night, considering I brought money to pay my own way into the movie just in case you ended up being a jerk. Ha!

And to all those people who said that Hannibal may not be the best "first date movie" - I mean what does it say for your budding relationship if you go see a movie about a crazy man who likes to eat people? - I say to them "NEENER NEENER NEENER"! Everything seems to be working out just fine for us.

Thank you for asking for my phone number in the parking lot at the high school. Thank you for calling me, after you called my Aunt Ruth's house first because you lost my phone number but found R. Sturgeon in the phone book & thought that was my Dad.

Thank you for the most fun 10 years of my life so far. Thank you for paying my way into that movie & now every other movie we have ever seen. (that's funny, I honestly don't think I have paid for a movie once! hahaha - gotta see what I can do to keep my streak going!)

Here is to the next 10 years - which will bring about the teenage years for our 2 little darlings. Oh the fun that will bring.

I look forward to spending the rest of my life with my best friend, my one & only someone. I love you always & forever.

♥
Natalie

The Winter Blues

Oh the winter blues. I feel you over-taking me. Why does February feel like the longest month when it is actually the shortest? It is sad to admit, but since football is officially over it makes this month drag on & on.

I think I speak for everyone here in central Illinois when I say, we are so over winter. This week has been a my-entire-body-hurts-and-my-lungs-burn kind of cold. Never, and I mean never, again do I want to see a "-" before a number in the forecast or on the thermometer. Negative anything is too cold, far too cold. I am ready for some relief. Thankfully, this is what our 7 day looks like.

Do my eyes deceive me? What are those numbers? What a relief that will be. It has been so long since I saw a number that began with a 4 that wasn't just 4. I am ready to get some of the 2 feet of snow melted out of my yard. I would rather have a slushy mess than frigid temps. I sincerely hope that my favorite meteorologist {Hi JC} has this right on the money ::fingers crossed::

side note: the new blog design is in hopes that I will be able to will Spring here in a few short weeks. pretty pretty please. I will be your best friend, Spring.

Dear Hallmark,

I know you must be pretty excited & proud of yourself. After all, you are the "go-to" as far as any occasion: Birthdays {check}, Weddings {check}, Anniversaries {check}, Sympathy Offerings {check}, We will Miss You {check}, and all holidays {check}. I get it. You are the one major greeting card company.

However, while perusing the Valentine cards at the good ol' Walgreens, I found a card that I loved for Jarrett. It was a little mushy, but said exactly what I wanted to say. $6. Really, $6. I'm not saying that my husband of over 8 years is not worth a $6 card. I'm just saying $6 is a little steep for a card that a man will not keep & cherish. Let's face it. He will do the Kevin James routine of acting like he is reading it, nod & then smile, then he will toss it in the trash.

So, I'm sorry, Hallmark. I couldn't bring myself to buy the $6 card. I went with one of your funny Shoebox cards $2. I figure he will get more enjoyment out of a fart reference than a velvety heart anyway. And I don't spend the cost of a lunch. Win Win.

Sincerely,

Natalie

{Olivia's new 'do}

Cabin fever struck Olivia during the blizzard, or is it just that she is 6? Either way...

What was once this...

was this...

& this when it was dry...

But thankfully, I know a lovely stylist named Whitney who made it look like this...

I basically told Whitney "make it look less mullet-like". We agreed on the amount of length that could come off {3 to 4 inches}. And then she put in these cute layers & framed her face. The bangs, they just need time to grow.

It already looks so much better. The bangs, I can handle. But they made the rest of her long hair look a little on the ratty, tangly side. So this fresh new haircut is perfect!

Olivia had the time of her life at the beauty shop. This was her first "professional" haircut. And she even got her hair shampooed. She is so fancy now.

Olivia Snowed In

Olivia enjoyed the 3 days off of school, but I think she had a serious case of cabin fever. She wanted to go somewhere & do something fun. Well, honey you can't really do that when you cannot see the roads for all the snow.

Tuesday night, Olivia cut herself some bangs. All in all, its not horrible. I am slowly adjusting to seeing her with a severe bang. She must of had an itch to play hairdresser because she not only cut her own hair, but she cut several dolls' hair too. Luckily, she did a pretty even job. Granted it's a much deeper bang than what I would have given her. I did even it out the best I could. But really the only thing that will make it better is time...Oh to be 6 again & not care at all.

Where is she???

A pillow fort keeps her happy for hours.

Like Father, Like Daughter

Rachel Snowed In

Rachel thoroughly enjoyed the blizzard & being snowed in.

After all, what 3 year old doesn't love getting to finish the last 4 drinks of her Daddy's soda. She is so funny. I wish you could hear her belly-laugh through these pictures.

She also loves eating pop-tarts for breakfast. Or actually, she would eat them for every single meal of the day if we would let her. On Wednesday morning, in the thick of the blizzard, she sat on the floor under my little table & ate her pop-tart right in front of the heat vent. All she had on was a necklace. You know, because she stripped down & wanted to be MAYKED. That's how she rolls on most weekend mornings.

My favorite thing about Rachel right now is how she is getting such a sense of humor. You tell her something & you can tell she is just thinking so hard about something to say back to you. For example, I told her at 3:00 am - go back to sleep it is still the middle of the night. I could tell her little wheels were just turning trying to come up with something. And she said, "Whatever you say you froggy mouse ghost." And then she cracked up, hard belly-laughs. I laughed & laughed. I woke up the house.

I'm super excited for her. Next week I call to make her an appointment for our school's pre-school screening. (is it obvious I am typing this as part of a reminder for me to call the school?). Anyway, I will be very interested to see what comes from her screening.

I feel guilty for comparing her to Olivia, but I cannot help but do it. I remember when I took Olivia for her screening, right when we got there the lady asked her what her name was. She said Olivia, O-L-I-V-I-A. I knew right then that she was not going to get into the public school pre-school program.

Rachel is very different than Olivia. Rachel is very timid compared to Olivia. Don't get me wrong, Rachel has most definitely come out of her shell since the end of the summer. She used to be super shy & clingy to Jarrett & I even around our family. She still is that way with strangers, or people she doesn't know that well. But recently she has started asking people what their names are. It's cute, I told her that she should say, "Hi, I'm Rachel. What is your name?" You know, a polite way to ask someone. But like any little kid, she forgets her manners every once in a while.

Anyway, I am interested to see what comes of her screening.

SNOW EM GEE

I have to admit it, I didn't believe the hype about the blizzard warning. They didn't say anything about it until like 3 days before. Well, I believe the hype now.

Some storm shots...

My Christmas wreath that is still up...in February...looked so pretty with the snow blown all over it.

Shoveling out his truck.



My husky mix Mazy loves the snow. It didn't phase her a bit.

Wordless Wednesday - cabin fever addition