Love Notes

I find notes everywhere. Sometimes, I write back. My favorites include her kissing me.

Sometimes, just to be funny, Chris sends notes back that look like this. They make Caris laugh!

Tide COLDWATER

I started washing our laundry in cold water shortly after I got married. I'd like to take the credit... but really it was my husband's idea. For 10 years we have been washing laundry in cold. Recently, I was thrilled to learn that Tide made a liquid laundry detergent just for us .... Tide Coldwater!

Here is what is so amazing about this laundry detergent:

*It is formulated to get clothes clean when they are washed in cold water.

*By washing in cold, you conserve energy and save money on your utilities.

Washing in cold water WILL get your clothes clean! And it will save you money!

Tide Coldwater will help.... What's not to love?

Do YOU wash in cold water? Take the Tide COLDWATER Challenge with me!

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All thoughts and opinions are my own. I enjoy the campaigns I work on with She Speaks! For this blog post I received Tide Coldwater and a gift card from SheSpeaks/Tide.

Our visit to the Titanic Museum

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I am thrilled to be a Titanic Mom Blogger. All opinions are our own.

No money has exchanged hands however, we were gifted with day passes to

the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge.

5 Things YOU Should Know About My Scale

1) It once said a much smaller number.

2) Because our minds deceive us, I still think I look like I did when that number was smaller. In fact, inside my thoughts, I am *thin*.

3) My scale daily reminds me that I am not *thin*. It stares me straight in the face and lets me know there is an issue. And I have faced this battle for years. And I hate it.

4) The truth behind the scale is this..... weight has more to do with internal issues than actual eating issues. People eat to celebrate, to hide pain, and to bury the past. Food can serve as a best friend, a crutch, a temporary band aid, and your worst enemy. When really, it's just fuel for your body.

5) When I step on the scale, I remind her that I am a work in progress. I WANT to be healthy. I WANT to be a role model. I WANT to wear cute clothes. I WANT to win this battle.

Christmas Vacation

The girls have been out of school almost two weeks. We have had many adventures.

Here are the highlights:

1) Sadie is learning how to get dressed all by herself. It's a blessing ..and a process. If you happen to stop by and she's half naked, this is probably why.

2) We had a great Christmas.... the girls loved the play kitchen (purchased this summer at a yard sale) and their other gifts.

3) December 26th ... Caris realizes she has 2 loose teeth side by side. The next day, they both fall out. ** This first visit from the tooth fairy ended up being costly.

4) Sadie turns 5. Boy, did we celebrate! The "Jumpy thing" at the mall and then Chuck E Cheese. She has an obsession with green race cars and flowers...so, they appeared on her cake. She was thrilled.

Happy New Year!

The Drive Home

Today I ran some errands. The market and the gas station. I turned into the driveway, and put the car in park.

I drove 2.4 miles. 2.4 miles.... and I didn't remember any of it. I didn't wave at a single person, took no mental notes, and was purely on autopilot.

It all made me think ... how often do I live life this way? I think too often... but my desire is to live purposefully.

I want to live life on purpose.

I want to notice the details... dance for no reason... and remember it all. Not just here ~ in this space. I want the corners of my mind (where the cobwebs dwell) to be bursting with colorful memories and moments of life.

The Tale of a Dog

The day she left..... we cried in our lasagna.

Lexi

I loved her from day one. So did the girls.

She grew on my husband.

Even he cried.

Lexi was wild. She was all puppy. She was also a biter.

We had to say goodbye.

It still stinks.

It's been a month. A long month..... and just last week, in the midst of Christmas carols and busyness... we were gifted with Tazz (a post soon to come). My girls love him... he's sweet.

Are you a dog lover?

{p.s. You know I love you. I included a picture sporting a double chin and tears.}