life isn't always milk and oreos

 part: 2

I was looking for something to celebrate....because life isn't always milk and oreos.  When I realized that was it! We  had yet to celebrate Oreo cookies 100th birthday.... it seemed slightly wrong not to celebrate milks favorite cookies. So that is exactly what we did!....Nothing makes you feel better than a little piece of chocolaty processed heaven dipped in your milk (due to the fact that it is laden with sugar...of course;)

24 hours is how long our whirl wind getaway lasted before we arrived home with the news that our Little Mister wasn't feeling well...

 Shocked! Is the only word that seems fitting for what I felt when I came through those front doors, and saw him lying on our couch. He looked so limp, lethargic and even lifeless. He suddenly seemed so small and helpless.....I am not sure my mind will ever be able to erase the way he looked at me. Those large bright animated eyes of his that have characteristically   been so  full of life, adventure and excitement were suddenly blood shot and glazed over..... he was in so much pain. I wanted to fix it. I wanted so badly to take away any discomfort he was feeling.....or would ever feel for that matter.

Motherhood has had a way of intesfying every single emotion I have ever felt....this pregnancy has only helped to escalate this mama roller coaster! 

Before the Little Mister made a mother out of me I had no idea how much deeper I would feel or how strong you would have to be...until you had no other choice. I think Heavenly Father allowed me this role so I finally would learn to love someone more than myself. I have felt a taste of true pain, sorrow (labor), joy and all the sweetness this job title brings.  I feel like I have a greater understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ because of it......sorry for the tangent, now back to the story...

Since Thanksgiving the Mister has been to the doctors nearly a dozen times! At first he would completely crumble to the floor when the nurse would call his name, followed by a mad dash to the nearest exit, pressing his chubby little face against the glass window, screaming. Now he bravely grabs my hand, heads straight for the scale and walks over to the correct office. I am not sure which one is more devastating to watch. This time we found out he had RSV. I felt a wave of panic wash over me.....my twin sister had been tending him....with her 4 month old son. The same little guy that has hardly ever left the house and who has a mama that isn't afraid to ask friends and family "if they are up to date with their vaccinations."

  

If RSV is this devastating to a toddler what about an infant? Guilt...my motherly specialty came in the next wave of emotions. Maybe I would have dealt with this more appropriately if I hadn't had both a niece and nephew hospitalized for this same condition (for my niece it was touch and go.) I called my twin sister, one of my very best friend bawling....feeling so so bad for leaving our son when he was not feeling a 100%, thinking it was just teething.

She said that all we can do is pray for my sons speedy recovery and that hers wouldn't become sick.  She reminded me that she was breast feeding her little Dallas and that he will have her antibodies. She mentioned that she had some breast milk in our freezer and suggested we pour it in our little Misters sippy cup. I did. We couldn't get him to drink anything but when he did his only response was "awwwh!!" HA. I called and told her that she should take that has a major compliment! He apparently liked her flavor......I mean he never gave me that type of reaction!.....I hope for his sake he never reads this post!

With a lot of prayers and a sip of breast milk  by the next morning he was on the mend! The Husband came down with a bug too. I will not say which one of my boys was harder for me to deal with  take care of.....:) Feeling the affects of a few nights of up all night coughing sessions was really starting to wear on this mama! That is where milk and oreos comes into play......because they are good for your morale.... and we all need something to celebrate!

 I think that I have offered up a thousand prayers of gratitude that he is feeling better and that his little cousin was so completely exposed and somehow so unharmed.....how is that for a miracle! 

The moral of this story there is power to prayer, a little breast milk and oreos! 

Stay-cation

There is something terribly romantic about a "stay-cation" don't you think?

Spring has just started to show its beautiful face in our neck of the woods, only fueling our desire to be warm and to get reacquainted with our long lost friend the sun.....we both agreed that Hawaii or the Bahamas would be the perfect weekend getaway....but it was a little bit of short notice. :::wink::: 

via 

The Husband suggested San Diego even Long Beach. As dreamy as they sounded the reality of driving there with an active one year old, and a baby that has seemed to have made her permanent residence right in my rib cage, made that idea seem not so dreamy!

So when The Husband sent me a simple text message saying "I have everything arranged for us to go on a mini honeymoon this weekend." It definitely peaked my interest! The Husband normally isn't the romantic type, but when he is it  goes a lonnnng way with this lady! I promptly  replied with a "where are you taking me?" His response,  Salt Lake City. Not warm, but somehow perfect!

Did you know that scientific studies have shown that when you do new and and exciting things your brain releases the same chemicals you have in your early romance? So when you do those same new and exciting things together you associate that response with the person you are with! You can read more about it here if you like! Thats the secret to keeping it Hott! Good marriages don't happen by accident!

So we kissed our sweet baby boy good bye and armed my twin sister and her way to nice of husband (and their adorable baby boy) with a box of oreos and a television remote. And were on our way to do new and exciting things together.

That little dot is the one and only Lebron James! HA

 We went to the cheesecake factory,  everything about it was divine.

Except the first 10 minutes were filled with awkward conversation that ended  in discussing the weather.....and how crazy it had been. Had it been that long since we had been on an "alone date?" Where we were more concerned with each other then aur darling toddler throwing macaroni on the floor?

The Husband looked across the table from me and said "you're actually really pretty!" ummm when is the last time you looked at me lover??....but he broke the ice and I was able to flash him a genuine smile! I mean I have been sharing a bed with this man for almost four years....no more awkward conversations between the two of us ever again!

Now onto the good stuff.....dessert!

 I had been told/warned how many thousands of calories were in one slice of there delectable carrot cake....for some reason it only made me want it more...I knew it must be good! The Husband told me to only order one dessert and we would share it. He got up to use the restroom and left me and my lack of self control with his credit card. The waiter asked if we would like any dessert. I ordered one piece of white chocolate macadamia nut cheesecake, then he asked if that would be all and winked at me. I crumbled (don't worry not from the wink) and told him to go ahead and add a slice of carrot cake.....my heart was thumping hard when the husband came back just in time to be met with both desserts....he just smiled and was secretly grateful.....I could tell...why wouldn't he be?

Then The Husband and I walked around Salt Lake City hand in hand where he made a Jazz fan out of me. Our seats were so high up it made me completely dizzy to look down. The game was a nail biter 99 to 98. We enjoyed Nachos and laughed at the man in front of us who had yelling "boooooo" down to an art the poor guy ended up losing his voice by the end of the game!

By 11:00 p.m. we were standing in front of our hotel wanting to make the most of out of our evening we decided to watch a late night show....

Oh hey Channing what are you doing here on my blog?

via

I talked The Husband into watching the Vow! The "shortcut" The Husband took me on to get to the theaters was way more exciting than the actual show! I am just glad to be alive to type this! I did get to see my first drug deal go down and a bunch of drunk teenage girls yell that if they wanted they could hold The Husbands "hand" in front of his wife..."even if she like six months pregnant"....I wish I was teasing about this part...who says "hand?" That seemed too innocent. I actually giggled the rest of the way to the theater...I hope for their sake they don't remember any of that nonsense!

The movie was a little slow, or maybe we aren't used to staying up past 9:30p.m.? I got a glimpse of Channings Tatums bum before The Husband covered my eyes! I have a toddler in diapers and see enough bums during the day, peaking wasn't even tempting.....The one thing that left a cold shiver down my spine was the thought of how horrible it would be to forget the last five years, especially because they have been productive ones! Moved 7 times, got married, graduated college, had a baby and one more  on the way....! 

Our whole evening was infused with magic! We needed it!

The next morning we received a call that our Little Mister was sick we made our way home.....to be continued.

The Little Mister is officially out of the teen months....as of last week!

Happy 20 month birthday my sweet little love bug! Here are a few things that I never ever want to forget about you at this age:

I never ever want to forget the first time you put your shoes on all by yourself! And how everything about you just seemed to radiate with your accomplishment. And how I couldn't stop crying.

Or how you love to put all sorts of choking hazards  treasures in your pockets. My favorites were when you pulled out a $1 bill.....where you got that type of cash I will never know :) Or how I couldn't stop giggling when I  discovered a crumbled up ultrasound photo of your little sister (that you had not so safely tucked away in your little pocket.)

  I never want to forget the first joke you told me. You poked your head out of the shower while I was brushing my teeth and said "hiiii dada." then you laughed so hard you could hardly breathe and almost in a growl yelled "Mommm" over and over. Since then you crack yourself up on a daily basis ( definitely a family trait.) I love that our house is always full of laughter.

Anytime I walk into our closet or really any room the door will quickly shut behind me, followed by loud laughter on the other side!  You still are so so ticklish and loved to be chased. At any given moment you will make your body straight and face plant into whatever is in front of you! This makes me so nervous, did you see this off a cartoon?? It will send you into a fit of laughter and me into a mini panic attack.

I mostly love how incredibly contagious that laugh of yours is!

Dad and I both think you are pretty hilarious ! He is convinced you take after him....but we both know you take after me.

Right now you have noticed everyones "teethsss" and are more then willing to flash them that adorable grin of yours! You also love lifting up ladies (and mens) shirts to see their "beby." (better that then still pulling down shirts to see their "milk.";)

The person in charge in this family is definitely not your father or I. 

 Almost every morning you and your Dad eat buttery toast dipped in oatmeal.... 

One morning I was upstairs and could hear you impatiently screaming while your Dad frantically ran around trying to accommodate your needs. Suddenly there was a sense of calmness. I came down stairs and couldn't stop laughing at the scene that was playing out before me. You were no longer sitting in your high chair but sitting right where your dad had been moments before..... working on his 3 slices of toast and his maple nut oatmeal! He was sitting next to you finishing off yours in a tiny plastic dish and even smaller spoon left only with a mealsley half piece of toast! :) 

What else....ketchup is still your condiment of choice (turns out it goes with everything.) Ideally you would have macaroni and cheese at every meal! I am constantly wowing and amazing your Dad with how I always seem to know exactly what you would like, without you saying any words....pointing and screaming definitely helps my cause! You run with your head down charging everything in your path! And you love  to put on your Dads shoes and baseball caps! You used to run up to your diaper station when I asked you to, Now you run the other way yelling "nooooo!!!" You love the baby channel and ask for a "show." You still give the best loves and the worlds sweetest kisses! 

Oh little Mister I hope you never ever forget how much you are adored!

Week 3: Whats cookin' good lookin'

 For the past 11 years (technically the better half of my life) I have been hopelessly trying to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie....the cookie that every glass of milk wishes would be bathed in it and with one bite people ask for your recipe....I want to bake some that not only look like a million bucks but taste even better.....truthfully if they weren't flat and had the tiniest  bit of taste I would be thrilled beyond words.

But to this day after numerous failed attempts the Thomas Edison in me  keeps on trying....persevering if you will....

Here I am at 22 a wife mother and with a college degree under my belt attempting my semi annual "making chocolate chip cookies that people in my neigborhood would actually want to eat" event. 

I followed the recipes exactly (I even went as far as having the little mister and The Husband hop out of the kitchen so these cookies that have been standing in between me and being a real women would have my full concentration;) and yet as you can see below in the photo of the ever so lovely flat tasteless cookies that I..............must have used a crumby recipes and will have to try again in another six months....;)

So it may not come as a shock to you lovelies that I have never been mistaken for Betty Crocker or Paula Dean when I am in the kitchen. That is why this weeks "for the love of man" challenge is going to be just that...a challenge ;) This week I am putting dinner on the table...with my glass plates....

My first meal was tonight...I wasn't exactly wearing stilettos and pearls more like my yoga pants and tennis shoes... while I cooked dinner but the fact that I cooked was definitely made me feel like some type of domestic goddess! The Husband even asked for seconds!! We are on to something good here at the Johnson household.

I have decided to write my menu a week in advance and have been doing theme nights. Yay for "Taco Tuesday!" or mexican food every Tuesday for the rest of my life. Followed by "Wednesday Lite" then "Crock pot Thursday" because who really wants to cook on a Thursday anyway?

Love Letters

I thought a sweet tradition to start would be to send out Valentine cards to close friends and family instead of Christmas cards...

I had so many grand even elaborate ideas.......unfortunately the execution wasn't quite there. I had a sweet little vision of the mister and his too cute for words baby cousin propped up on a chair with there arms around each other smiling (and some other unrealistic nonsense).........The photo shoot ended in tears....and they definitely weren't coming from the two cute little boys I was photographing! 

During my makeshift photo shoot I felt resentful of every blog that post cute little valentines and makes it look oh so easy....what is your secret??

Then when I looked at the outtake of my very "unprofessional"  photo shoot I couldn't help But smile! I am suddenly so grateful things didn't go any thing liked planned....because often times in life it goes so much better! 

Filling the envelopes with sequences also seemed like a super thoughtful idea.....almost like a little party in an envelope, that was until The Husband pointed out how our friends and family may or may not appreciate the mess that the little "party" is going to make.....I am going to go ahead a pre-apologize for the mess that comes along with our love letters....and that I sent them out after Valentines day ;)

And for you single ladies between the ages of 18-35 looking for a gentlemen friend I have just the man! He is 25 years old, 64' with broad shoulders and an even bigger heart. He is currently serving a two year service mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Macio, Brazil. In his last letter he wrote that he carried a little boy with a hurt leg a mile and half to church......Do they come any sweeter? I just thought I would share his address just in case the arranged marriage I have planned doesn't pan out (I mean she is in wyoming.... thats cute cowboy country...;) I feel a need to cover my basis (a sisterly duty if you will.)

I dare you ladies to write him...you never know what might happen from sending a stranger a simple note saying hello...If it does work out I promise to write a book about it....that is seriously best seller material!  ;) 

love cate

So much for global warming...

This morning we woke up to 11 more inches of powdery snow.....luckily (or unluckily however you choose to look at it) snow has yet to lose its magic for the little Mister! He loves to play outside! 

He is constantly bringing me his snow boots, his winter cap and a pair of dirty socks,  he thinks they are gloves. After he is dressed he will scurry to my closet and either bring out The Husbands slippers or my red stilettos for me to wear......:)

 Afterwords we will spend a great deal of time trying to get warm by the fire place....this is by far my favorite part!

love cate

first kiss

The story of the first time we met and kissed...;)

I guessed posted during the month of love at a Handful of peanuts about meeting and kissing my lover. This is what I wrote...enjoy!

Clearly how I won that man over! (The hungry heifer competition...30 scoops of icecream in a dog dish)

As I scoured through the questions Janine emailed on the topic of love, my first impulse was to write about the most memorable moment on my honeymoon. It involved coming out in something sassy, completely tripping and nailing the poor Husband with my elbow....on his upper thigh. But since nothing can quite ruin the mood like injuring your spouse, I decided to write about something a little safer, our whirlwind romance leading up to that ever so nerve wracking first kiss!

The husband and I met on a very chance blind date. 

On January 19, 2008 I was putting the final touches on my makeup and getting ready for a date with a handsome Australian boy I had met the night before when I heard my phone ringing in my dorm room near by. Naturally, I raced to my phone. On the other line was a boy with a drawn out country voice. He was planning on taking my twin sister Candi out later that evening. He explained that his roommate's date canceled on him and asked if I would like to double with them. 

 I politely explained I had plans. Then I off-handedly asked him what his roommates name was, he replied "Kyler." I couldn't help repeating his name out loud. I instantly loved the way that his name sounded on my lips. I mentioned this little exchange to my sister and ever so lovely roommate. In unison they both started telling me how they had met Kyler the day before and what a babe he was (this is always The Husbands favorite part of the story.) On impulse I canceled my previous arrangement and went on that blind date....then I met him. He was tall, handsome and.... extremely reserved.   

I was a reckless flirt that night. Figuring I had nothing to lose, mistaking his genuine shyness for arrogance. Thinking it wouldn't go any further then bowling and a movie. 

For the first time in my life I am so grateful I was wrong.

I laid awake that night thinking about him. Somehow I found his quiet manor and blunt honesty intriguing, dare I say even alluring (In a Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice sort of way....I have always been somewhat of a hopeless romantic) What I couldn't get over was before he left was that smile he shot my way . Oh that smile to this day still makes me completely weak in the knees.

Early the next morning I heard a knock at the door. Much to my delight and horror it was him and his roommates inviting our apartment to go sledding with them. Looking like a not so hott mess with morning breath, I decided it would probably be best if my morning breath and I didn't go out and greet them. Really that kind of unruliness should always wait until marriage ;)

I decided to pull my disheveled self together and went sledding with him. It was -36  outside (typical Rexburg weather) and so so windy! Yet when I was with him  I felt unexplainably warm inside. I didn't seem to care that there was a huge possibility that I would never feel my nose again (or the fact that there was probably stuff dripping out of it...gross I know) or that I was slurring my words because my lips were so numb ....Looking back I think it was there on that little black tube we were sharing where I realized that he was different, that this was going to be different and because of him I would be different......falling in love on second date? I think there is a word for girls like me....ridiculous! Ridiculous or not, I was already falling for him and I knew I was going to fall hard. 

At 11: 58 p.m. Exactly 7 days after I met him we sat in my Mazda two minutes shy of my 19th birthday he told me goodnight and tried to get out of my car. I asked him to stay for just two more minutes. We sat in silence as the lyrics from Colbie Calliat song "Realize" sang softly from the radio. "I hope you just realize what I just realized that we are perfect for each other and you will never find another." The clock turned to midnight and everything just seemed to stand still (cliche.) Then I did something completely out of my character. I leaned over my seat and kissed him. We were both shocked by my boldness he and I immediately separated like teenagers do when their parents walk in.

Then it happened.

He kissed me. It was firm, and bold and felt like everything I had ever known to be beautiful and right. It was the kind of kiss that made you want nothing more then to be the recipient of it everyday for the rest of your life. I was suddenly grateful that we were sitting down, I  felt completely light headed and weak in the knees. I had never been kissed like that. It was the perfect kiss.

Before he said goodnight  he quickly pecked my lip and said something that I am quite confident he will never live down. "Thank you Candi.".... as in my twin sisters name. The only thing I could think to say was "wrong twin..." haha

Here we are four years later trying hard to recreate the magic of our first kiss. While things aren't always milk in oreos around here, he loves me and I completely adore him....and he knows it ;)

We truly have a good thing going.

Love is for Lovers

If only my 13 year old self could have seen that in 10 short years I would not only have 1 boy for a Valentine but 2 boys!!....She would have been so proud!

The Mister gave me lots of hugs and kisses, I gave him a balloon and sucker (to date that has been the best 75 cents I think I have ever spent!) Worth every penny!

I heard the door bell ring and much to my surprise and delight there was a *hott* delivery man standing at my door step holding a dozen roses and chocolate! After whisking the flowers (and obviously the chocolate) out of his hands and "ooohing" and "awwing" over their splendor for a solid 5 minutes...I did something bold I not only thanked but kissed that hott delivery man!

I purchased the husband those resses shaped hearts....unfortunately only 1 out of the six made it home....Resses are just plain better around the holidays.......so I guess you can say I am helpless...or maybe more like hopeless...

-

Hope everyones Valentines was just as lovely!

xoxoxooo

love Cate

p.S. I am planning on keeping up the 14 days of love for the rest of the month. The last few days have included things like shaving my legs and putting on makeup! I should feel ashamed on how excited he was to see me dressed up..haha

Nothing says Valentines like red velvet cake

I am seeing a definite trend in me showing love for my husband....I came to the conclusion that our love language is food. It is more like a love affair actually...with anything laced in sugar, sprinkled with salt or smothered in butter.

While some couples enjoy hiking, biking even running together....we  throughly enjoy eating together (actually I just love eating in general, but it is more fun with him.) Either one of us have really ever been the type to discriminate when it comes to food, it really is a blessing and a curse.... Lets just say I am seeing "big" things in the future for the two of us ;) haha

Before we whole "heart"edly <3 went to town on the piece of heaven on a platter I wanted to take a photo while it still resembled a cake. This is what I saw in my view finder... Does it get any cuter?

 Day 5: Art Love

I called upon one of my very favorite artist to help me show The Husband some love. I think it is safe to say he felt loved.

xoxoxo

Love Cate

14 days of Valentine: Cookie Love

Since love is for lovers and sleep has long since abandoned me....I laid awake last night thinking of something  fun I could do for the man sleeping next to me. When I came up with the idea of doing 14 days of Valentines. Because making cookies at 7:30 in the morning is always a good decision :) I started out with a little cookie love....I am pretty sure my motives for this particular  valentine were completely selfish....I have yet to regret it ;)

I poured the cookies in heart shaped cookie cutters and then refrigerated until firm. I then cut out little hearts with an old card that narrowly escaped being thrown away and wrote on each heart  "I loved you more than"...and listed every ingredient in no bake cookies and then ended it with "more than anything." 1-2-3 awww 

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

recipe via

1/2 cup butter
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups quick-cooking oats

Line a baking sheet or smooth surface with wax paper, set aside. Cut butter into small pieces and place in large saucepan with sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Bring ingredients to a rolling boil while stirring continuously. Boil for one minute and remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla till throughly blended. Add in quick oats and drop by teaspoon-full onto waxed paper. Let cool until hardened. 

To make shaped cookies, spray cookie cutters with non-stick cooking spray and set on waxed paper. Drop cookie mixture into cookie cutter, ensure the mixture fills in all the gaps. Let cool until hardened and gently remove cookie cutter. 

How to Knit 101

Before Christmas I was feeling particularly ambitious and decided I only wanted to give out homemade handmade gifts. I decided to start off with a simple scarf. I dusted off my knitting needles from the junior high and went on my way with high hopes and unrealistic expectations. I decided my first scarf would be for my twin sister and then I would make one for my 5 older sisters, 6 sister in-laws and then of course my Madre and my mother-in-law. I suddenly felt confident  my grandmas (on both sides of course) would love one! Not to mention my best friends growing up and my favorite college roommates. Heck, while I was at it I might as well make one for my teacher in junior high who taught me how to knit in the first place.......about 3 hours into the scarf with an inch and half under my belt I started re-evaluating my "list." About 3 weeks into this little project of mine there was only one person on my list...that was Candi who got that little beauty just in time for her {our} 23rd birthday....last week :)

This little bundle of knitted love is the perfect length.... for a very small toddler! Candi was teasing me that she doesn't want anything to ever happen to it so she was planning on just keeping it safe in her closet...haha

If nothing else I learned the power of photography, by simply repositioning my very homemade scarf  it suddenly went from "oh wow, you definitely made that." to " oh wow!! you made that!?!? It is amazing how photos can take it from looking very homemade to elegantly handmade.....browsing etsy will never be the same! Can you imagine thinking that you ordered the scarf on the right and what  actually arrived on your door step was the little beauty on the left? Honestly, who doesn't love a little surprise  in the mail? 

! May we all find beauty in the imperfections. :)

Oh deer

When I found out that we was expecting a little girl this May  with out any reservation I  started daydreaming about her nursery.  I envisioned  it being  sweet, delicate and simply lovely. I bought a gallon of pink paint and was ready to get to work when The Husband found me.....

this little dream of rocker on KSL.  Suddenly my whole vision for her nursery changed. I woke up in the middle of the night with the idea of doing a meadow in her nursery. It only seemed appropriate considering where we live.  Luckily for me, my extremely talented oldest sister was in town for the weekend taking an art class...

Naturally I took advantage of  her talent. It was incredible to watch as she quickly sketched on the nursery wall while her gifted hands made what I had envisioned take form. I will always treasure the memory of staying up late visiting and laughing with my sister as I carefully tried to paint the grass and a few of the flowers....then I would ask her without fail to fix the work I had just done.

In a way I feel like decorating her nursery is the first act of love I am giving to her, my daughter.....not that a newborn usually has strong opinions about their sleeping arrangements :)

Painting has been messier then I could have ever imagined! When I went to buy the paint for the mural it was after what  easily could have been one the longest nights of my life.  I went to bed at 1:00 in the morning only to have the Mister wake up at 1:15 with a blood curdling scream. We watched Diego, took a bath together and eventually  fell back asleep just shy of 5:00 AM and like usual were up before 7:00a.m.!  We were both restless and tired, but not being one to want to waste a day I decided to go shopping and to treat ourselves to a slice of Magelby's cake. The cake proved to be a great idea. As far as the shopping, my only excuse is the fatigue clouded my better judgement. Honestly, when is taking a 1 year old antique shopping ever a good idea. Jett did walk away with a foam sword.

Later that afternoon I took him to the doctors....it was traumatic.....especially for the poor nurse that had to restrain my little guy. He had another double ear infection...they prescribed a penicillin product.....We discovered this week that he is severely alergic to penicillin.

So there we were at Walmart picking up paint for the soon to be mural. The machines kept quitting on the poor girl, she just started working there, causing paint to overflow. Nearly 50 minutes after arriving at the paint counter  I was walking away with my cart full of groceries and much to my horror an unsealed  quart of red  paint!! It tipped over covering my Steve Madden boots and everything else in sight. Jett who was just steps behind me ran right into the little red scene that I unfortunately created. I am confident my face was a similar  in color to the paint that now covered me from the hips down. The friendly Walmart employees scurried around me as I fought to hold onto my now screaming toddler.

 Crowds of people quickly formed to watch this little spectacle unfold. Like most people I enjoy a bit of attention.....but definitely not this kind. I bursted into tears doing what my sister and I refer to as the "ugly cry" telling no one at all about how tired we were and his ear infection. Even at the time I knew that someday this would be a funny story.....I am not quite there yet!.......The silver lining was once I saw the paint spread out  over the floor I realized that it was a little too pink. Through my sobs I told the frazzled young employee that " I think I want to try a different shade of red." (I can already see the humor in that :) She looked up at me and smiled and replied "I think we might be able to get this off your boots." Despite everything we both started giggling....there was no saving suede and we both knew it!

I guess we can chalk it up to a blessing in disguise....or maybe not. I mean at least I only bought a quart, can you imagine the damage a gallon would have done?. Later in the week when the husband and I were finishing touching up the walls, the mister walked in and completely tripped landing squarely into the paint tray  sitting neatly on a tarp on the floor.  For some reason we couldn't stop laughing at our luck...It was worth a little mess.

Here is the mister perfecting his tantrums. He practices several times a day. Needless to say he is getting quite good at them. It really is a talent!