Women of a Certain Stage~

I have no definite answers to the questions I'm about to ask.

They've been brewing in my mind for some time.

I should write an "Eat, Pray, Love" style book on this topic.

Is there a certain stage of a woman's life when she can no longer make a "bosom buddy"?

A bosom buddy, a kindred spirit, a best friend, a soul mate.

Whatever you call it, is there a certain time in your life when you can still meet and make friends, but just not best friends?

If yes, then is it after you graduate college? get married? have a baby?

Do you stay close with this best friend forever?

If no, do you keep adding to the list of best friends, or do you just wait to meet yours later in life?

What makes a friend a bosom buddy?

Do you have to have the same interests? Or do you have to constantly defend who you are and what you like?

Do you have to be in the same stage of your life?

Do you have to be the same age?

**Think about the person (people) you are closest to.**

How long have they been in your life?

When did they come into your life?

What brought you together?

Any answers to all these questions?~

Wednesday night disaster~

I'm so confused by SYTYCD this season.

I honestly believe they have the best group of dancers EVER.

But, can we just talk about this choreography?

Terrible.

What is going on?

Sonya Tayeh???

If you give me one more week of mediocre work, I'm going to have to put you in the OVERRATED file right along with Laurie Ann Gibson.

Tyce Diorio's piece and Nappytab's 2nd piece....DISASTER.

They need to get themselves together and realize that they don't have to have a promiscuous concept for the audience to enjoy it.

I actually don't mind Dee Caspary.

I think he's a really good choreographer...he just got stuck with a mediocre couple last night.

His group piece had some amazing choreography in it...I just thought the concept was a bit distracting.

What saved the night??

This piece.

Melanie and Marko. Of course.

They're incredible and, at the moment, are the only people keeping me from banning SYTYCD.

I need some of this in my life.

Is that too much to ask for? Where the heck is Mia Michaels??

Someone needs to save this show...and FAST.~

Pictures that make me smile~

We went to visit Jillian and to see her adorable, new house.

Charlie LOVED this window because of all the cars passing by.

He also really enjoyed his dinner at Carolina Ale House last weekend.

And, decided that he couldn't get enough of the jello.

Mmmm....tasty!~

The Help~

Great read!

I've been looking for a good book for a while, and I finally found it.

The best part??

The movie is coming out in August!

Party Time!~

Happy Monday everyone!!

And a birthday shout out to my good friend, Emily!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

My sister-in-law is having a baby boy in August!! So exciting!!

I had a great time giving her a baby shower this past Saturday.

It was a nice, intimate luncheon with family and close friends.

Welcome sign on door

The party room!

Chair Backs

I used this tutorial to make these napkins with the help of my friend, Courtney!

Balloons!!! Love polka dot balloons!

The table.

The table with food!!

Wishes for Owen. Found this cute idea here.

Favors!!

Favors up close.

Can't wait to meet baby Owen in August!~

The Hint Box~

THIS is a great idea!!

We all like little treats every now and then, but don't you sometimes feel like you're running out of ideas?!

Pop on over to The Dating Divas website to find out more about this Hint Box.

I guess now I won't have to wear my Les Mis tshirt EVERY day to "hint" to Noel that he needs to buy me tickets for February.

Or maybe I will just in case.

Have a great weekend!~

How to Deal~

I recently saw a quote from Chet Walker that really caught my eye.

He is the Director of the Jazz/Musical Theatre Dance program at Jacob's Pillow.

So, in other words, he's amazing.

He said,

"You lose your power if you yell and scream. Be clear, it can't be a guessing game. Everyone is there to learn and get the job done."

You can find more of him in this Dance Teacher Magazine article.

What he said really stuck with me.

He was, of course, talking about dance.

But, I really think it applies to everything....parenting, relationships, work, etc.

I know that when people have yelled at me individually or at me in a group, I totally block them out, and don't grow from the lesson they are trying to teach, or from the point they are trying to make.

No one is perfect...I get that....and we all lose it every now and then.

But, hopefully we (mainly I) can try a little harder every day.~

(photo)

Hide and Seek!~

I opened the fridge to make lunch today, and guess what I found?!

Anything seem out of place?

Then I'm changing Charlie's diaper and find this

In his diaper??

So random!!

How did they get there?

And, aren't nail clippers uncomfortable to sit on?

Obviously, Charlie doesn't think so.

I guess because my littler mister has been doing a lot of this lately....

....it would explain the strange finds!~

Babies~

Have you seen this movie?

It is fantastic!!

Charlie and I watched it together a while back.

We BOTH loved it.

It shows 4 babies from different parts of the world from birth to the age of 1.

I seriously think it changed my life.

It's crazy to see how each baby develops the same but in different surroundings.

The little baby in San Fran is banging blocks together while the little baby in Africa is banging rocks together.

Charlie's favorite part was when the African baby licks his mommy's toes.

Disgusting!! But Charlie still thinks it's hilarious to try and lick my toes.

Oh...the influence of media!!

And speaking of babies....we were able to hear baby Walker's heartbeat today!

Music to my ears!!~

Father's Day Weekend~

We had a fun weekend celebrating Dad!!

Noel and Charlie.

Noel gave a wonderful talk in church!!

Making Father's Day cards!

Nesting is in FULL SWING now!

I was so over the white walls in our back hallway and our guest bathroom.

So, THIS is the beginning of a beautiful thing.

Hallway

We also saw some great friends over the weekend.

Our friends Jeremy and Stephanie just had an adorable baby girl.

Charlie was in awe of how teeny tiny she was.

Charlie also got to play with some "big" kids!

Boys watching "Charlie's dad" cut the grass.

Noel and I went to a Carolina RailHawks game this weekend.

It was a great game and the weather was beautiful.

We also got to see Cat and her adorable children. (If you are in need of some AMAZING pictures, contact her!!)

While Noel and I were at the game, Charlie enjoyed his time with Ms. Jessie.

And a summer weekend wouldn't be complete without a trip to the pool.

Charlie loves to put his head under the water now.

Have a great week!!

Crazies~

Some people just don't think.

I have seen evidence of this on multiple occasions this week.

For example, the OLD lady at the gym who was wearing a belly/midriff shirt.

I wish I was making that up.

Or the lady at Barnes & Noble yesterday afternoon.

I had a baby on my hip, a baby in my belly, and a bag full of my purchases.

I met this fully capable, adult lady with her 10 year old daughter at the exact same time at the exit door.

We make eye contact, and she stepped back away from the door....so I could open it for HER!!

I honestly could not believe it.

So I adjusted Mr. Charlie on my hip, pulled the bag around my wrist, and went for the door.

I thought she would help support the weight of the door as we both went out.

Nope.

She walked through the door without touching it, and THEN waited in the lobby area for me to open the 2nd door for her.

I thought I was being Punk'd.

But, the biggest crazy award for the week goes to the Vancouver hockey fans.

Their team lost the Stanley Cup to Boston this week and the fans went NUTS (understatement), acting like they didn't have an ounce of home training.

Wow Vancouver fans. Get yourself together.

Have a happy weekend everyone. Watch out for the crazies!! :-)

Turn to Stone~

I can't believe how much I'm loving the girls this year on So You Think You Can Dance!

Most of them are incredible, but Melanie Moore is RIDICULOUS!!!

This was my favorite piece from last night.

I enjoyed watching Marko as well, but did you see Melanie's legs??!?!?

Insane!!!

Such control and perfection.

Can't wait to see more!~

Dance Party!~

Charlie wanted the camera so bad!!! But, then decided that dancing was more fun!

Charlie had his 15 month check up yesterday.

It always breaks my heart seeing him get his shots, but he was a champ.

We decided that we needed to make a special treat in honor of his bravery. :-)

My messy helper.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Delight...yummm!!~

Who'd have thought?~

What comes to mind when you hear the last name Kardashian?

I don't watch their show or know much about them, but from little bits and pieces here and there, I have always thought they were kinda over the top and a bit crazy.

And then I found out that one of the girls, Kourtney, has a son.

The first thing I thought was, Oh no...poor kid.

TOTALLY judging them without even really knowing anything about them.

Then, a few months ago, I received my Parenting Magazine in the mail with Kourtney and her son on the cover.

After reading the article about her as a mother, it seems like she's actually a good one!

Who'd have thought?

She tells the magazine 10 things they didn't know about her.

There are some things that I definitely don't agree with her on....

*"Mason sleeps in bed with me"

I think it's great if parents want to do this, but Mr. Charlie has been sleeping in his own crib since day 1! And I think that's why we have both been sleeping through the night since he was 2 months old.

*"We don't really follow a set schedule"

It seems like that works for them, but I love me a schedule!

Most of the article makes her seem like she really takes pride in her role as a mother and is trying her best to do what's right for her son, which I think is what makes a good mom!~

My Sis: The Graduate!!!!

My sister, Jessica, graduated from high school on Saturday!!!

I can't believe she's already off to college.

I remember making her a bottle while she watched Barney.

She's an amazing person and I am so proud of the woman she has become.

And even more proud that she will be a PIRATE next year!!

After the salutatorian quoted Kanye, Lupe, Beyonce, and Big Sean, we finally snapped some pics:-)

Me and my beautiful siblings.

Me and the graduate!!

Charlie and Auntie Jessie

After the graduation, we went to a yummy graduation dinner.

Charlie with Auntie Jessie at dinner.

Charlie getting excited for his hushpuppies.

Mommy and baby.

The graduation festivities continued with an after dinner party.

Jessica and her 2011 graduate friends!!

Sarah creeping on Jessica's graduation picture.

She says she won't miss Jessica, but we all know the truth.

I'm so proud of you Precious!!~