Summertime

Slathered-on suncreen and sprinklers in the hot yellow sun

Grins and giggles in a gator-shaped pool

Silliness and splashes-- "Mom, look at me!"

My two pink-swimsuit-clad beauties, just a-bathing away

Billions of bubbles, blowing on the warm breeze

Two sweet little sisters, in love with summertime.

Vibrant colors, the home edition

Over at Exposaroonie, this week's challenge is Vibrant Colors. How fun! Perfect for summer-time. They seriously have the best challenge ideas... I'm amazed each week.

I was so excited when I saw that's what it was, and I had many grand ideas fill my head about where I could go to capture the perfect colors. There was just one problem: I've been at home ALL WEEK LONG. Hermits. That's us. So it goes when you are potty-training a child (more on that later).

While I was not able to go out in search of colors to photograph, I have to say it was really fun to get creative and think of what I could shoot right here in my own home. When I came across this bright plaid fabric in my stash, I knew instantly what I wanted to do. There is something about a lovely place setting that I just love, and even though this is totally staged for the purpose of this photo, I definitely want to have some sort of girly party now just so I can replicate it for real. :)

You must, simply must, go check out the other shots over at exposaroonie. They are so fantastic and fun this week. I won't even ask you to vote for mine, because there are just that many great ones. Just pick your favorite... if you even can!

note: until next week Thursday I will be putting this:

"Did you enter my give-away yet? Don't forget to comment right here!"

at the bottom of every post between now and then.... just so nobody misses out. :)

It's a lovely number.

Lovely for me, but especially lovely for all of you! Or, at least, I hope you will think so.

Because you see, in honor of this being the big

!!!...

(I always knew my button collection would come in handy someday)

... I've decided to do something I've never done before on this blog. I want to do something special for all of you! Something to show you how much I appreciate your reading my silly ramblings time after time, your comments, your support and love, your influence and inspiration in my life... your friendship.

One whole year ago when I began blogging (yes, I know, it took me forever to get to 100 posts) thanks to this girl, there was no way I could have known all the wonderful things that were in store. Old friendships have been renewed and strengthened through this online connection. New friendships to treasure have been made. Family has been brought just a little closer into our everyday lives. I've watched my list of favorite blogs expand from a mere one or two into a great big community. And even though I may never meet some of you in real life, you all mean something to me. Your words, your thoughts, your projects, your lives-- they have become a part of mine. I am so blessed and grateful for that.

And that is why I am having my very first ever

give-away!

I'm quite excited, can you tell?? :)

In order to win, all you must do is this: simply leave me a comment on this post. I'll leave it open for one week, and then I will draw TWO names. That's right, there are TWO gifts! Now, I can't tell you or show you what they are yet, because I haven't completely decided... so in the meanwhile you are just going to have to trust me when I say that they are something worth winning. I will, however, say this much: they're one-of-a-kind handmade.

Your turn now. Say anything you like, tell me a little something about yourself I might not know, or just say hi. I would love to hear from any and all of you, even if you have never commented before, or maybe just haven't been by in a while. The more, the merrier! 'Tis a true saying.

Thanks, dear ones, for making the last 100 posts so much fun. I can't wait to see what the next hundred will bring.

{tasty tuesdays} Mini Mexican Pizzas

I can't really take credit for this idea. My good friend Kourtni, who is a pro at making yummy Mexican food, told me about this. I thought of it again the other night as I rummaged through my cupboards looking for dinner ideas and tried it for the first time. They were delicious! And so very easy--my kind of cooking for sure. I also love that they can be so adaptable-- want to make a bigger one? Use a different size tortilla! Don't like refried beans? Just leave them off! Happen to have some fresh cilantro? Chop it up and throw it on there! Want to make a no-fat version? Just... well, um, I'm afraid I can't help you there. But you get the idea. :)

Mini Mexican Pizzas

taco seasoning packet

ground beef or turkey

small size tortillas, flour or corn

can of refried beans

shredded cheese

roma tomato

avocado

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook ground meat in taco seasoning according to packet directions. Meanwhile, spread desired amount of refried beans on tortillas. When meat is fully cooked, drain well and spoon a layer on top of beans. Top with shredded cheese. Place in oven for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is thoroughly melted and edge of tortilla is crispy. Meanwhile, chop tomato into small chunks and mash the avocado, stirring in salt and pepper to taste. (get creative here-- what other flavors would you like? Green chiles, lime, cilantro, garlic-- whatever you want, add it in) Remove tortillas from oven and top with chopped tomatoes and avocado mash. Serve warm and enjoy!

Special note: my next post is my 100th! Be sure to check back later this week, because I have something very special planned for all you dears in honor of the occasion.

Beachy keen

Siblings. Jerusha, me, Elijah, and Lydia. Can you feel the love?

A mere two-and-a-half weeks ago (I know, bad blogger!) we were so blessed to go down south towards Los Angeles with my side of the family. The occasion was my "little" brother Elijah's Air Force commissioning-- but it ended up being an amazing excuse for some wonderful family time at the beach... and really, anywhere we were, all weekend long! You already know about some of our fun and adventures thanks to Miss Emma and her book, but I shall give you mt point of view too. I don't know that it will be half as entertaining and cute, but I'll do my best. :)

Friday was spent at the beach all day. Oh, it was so relaxing. The kids played, we all played, we got wet, we ran, we spun, we were silly, we soaked up the sun and the sand and the waves, we made sand castles, we buried Annabelle. I simply love the beach, and I love it even more when it is filled with people I love.

Saturday was the big event. It was held at Loyola Marymount University, which is positively a beautiful campus. The sun was out in full force that day and since we were sitting in the open air, it did get a little hot-- and some sunburns were acquired... including a few sunburned knees from us girls wearing dresses. Never have I been more inspired to sing "Down by the Bay". But I digress. The ceremony was, although long, quite interesting with all its formal military style. There was even a fighter jet "fly-by" right as the National Anthem was sung. Quite a moment! My favorite part, however, was when Elijah's turn came to stand on-stage and get sworn in. My mom, dad, and brother Josiah were able to go on stage and pin his bars on, he received his first salute from another officer, and then it was official-- Elijah is now a 2nd lieutenant in the US Air Force. My sisterly pride was full that day as I watched him in his blue uniform.

All in all, it was such a lovely time. I can't even tell you how much fun we had with these people we love. In all honesty, it was very very hard when they moved from California-- the distance felt so huge after living no more than 15 minutes apart from them my whole life. It was not an easy transition going from that to seeing them maybe once or twice a year. But, it is times like this particular weekend when I am grateful. Grateful that God has used this distance between us to bring us closer, because we know to soak up every minute we have together. Our time with each other is appreciated and precious in a different way now. And we get to be together for days on ends, with late nights and lots of fun in between. Oh yes, there are still times when the the miles between us is a great big ache in my heart, and I miss them terribly-- but it only serves to bring me even more joy when we see them again. And, as I lay there on our hotel bed sandwiched between my two sisters singing Colbie Caillat songs with all our hearts and lungs, I couldn't help but know that no matter what, our family will always be close... so very close.

Without further ado: pictures!

Elijah, Emma, and Valerie-- we couldn't help but see a vision of the future in this one ;)

Grandma is a great wave-chasing buddy to the girls!

Lydia and I with our beach hair. Ooh-la-la
Seester Jerusha and I. Yes, she's very small, and very cute.

Uncle 'Lijah with one of his favorite girls.

What a foot-poppin' fun time we had!
The photog twins, hard at work. There was quite a LOT of this going on. And yes, in case you are wondering, the sight of my dear dad in shorts is a rare one. I'm afraid we teased him mercilessly. Love you, Dad! :)
Mammacita and me
Hi, Dad!

The new couple. They're quite cute together. I definitely approve! There was lots of digging and sand-castle making. The girls loved it!

This is what little Annabelle would do whenever we tried to set her down and put her feet anywhere near the water: she scrunched herself up into a tiny little ball and just hung there. It was so funny.
Eventually though, she got over her fear and got just as wet, if not more, than the rest of us. These next few showcase my silly siblings quite well. Of course, I am never silly. No indeed.
Not quite sure what we are doing here... WOOHOO!
Josiah was the only one brave enough to go in all the way!
Elijah and Lydia would rather not deal with the two of us on the end right now.
Workin' it. Can you believe that hottie is my sister?
Elijah's "bro" pose. That's my hat he's wearing. The scary thing is he almost looks as good as me in it...

So fierce. (my hat again; I never wore it, but it sure did make for some good pictures, yes?)
Here we are at the commissioning. And here is 2nd Lt. Elijah Horner.

That's his girlfriend right by him. Isn't she beautiful?
He might not admit it, but I KNOW he loves me. :)
All the ladies. Funnily enough, we each bought black and white dresses to wear for this occasion-- totally unplanned, but so fun for some stylin' pictures!

(this is my afore-mentioned summery dress that I did not get to wear to the graduation)

I love these girls. I love all of these people. Thanks for a great time, family!

If you want to see even MORE pictures, Jeremy posted quite a few GREAT ones over at his blog. He had a blast with his new camera, and I think he did a wonderful job. Mosey on over and take a peek, why don't you.

Emma Joy, author/illustrator extraordinaire!

Before I (finally!) share with you my pictures and stories of our family trip down south for my brother Elijah's Air Force commissioning, I thought I would let Emma tell you all about it first. She was so sad and heartbroken when my family had to leave that Monday morning that I had to think of something to cheer her up. And that is how Emma came to write her first book.

The end.

Once we had assembled sister's book, this little one came to me, scribbles in hand:
"Buh??"

Of course the stapler came out yet again, and Annabelle got her very own "buh" too.

you've stolen their hearts too

Happy father's day to my husband...

Some of the best, the sweetest moments
in my life have been those when I watch you with our children.
Somday they will appreciate you for all you are,
for all you do,
but right now they love you just because

you are their Daddy.

And there could not be a better one.

Happy Father's Day, my love.