I'm 28...no really.

Speaking of fun...last week was my birthday. I'm not one of those girls who "doesn't have birthdays" and is forever 28. Maybe I'm not old enough for that yet. *This year was 28 actually...wow. Wasn't I just 18? Like...Tuesday?* Or maybe I'd just rather tack on an extra number if it means I get showered with love and cake. And presents.

And like I said...the two kiddos pictures above give me lots of attention. So much so that, as you can tell from the above shot, they don't even let me go to the bathroom alone. *FYI...I staged this shot. I do not carry my camera into the bathroom with me. Sometimes.*

No really...I am blessed with sweet *although slightly high-strung* kiddos, and a thoughtful hubby who always makes sure I wake up to a present. He put a card and the above shirt and necklace on the nightstand so they were the first thing I saw after the "where am I and who is that screaming mommy* stupor cleared.
My mom also fixed dinner for me, for a change. Bless her heart the woman really hates to cook...so usually I end up fixing dinner when we eat over there. But I got the night off, and even sneaked outside to get photographic evidence that I didn't fix dinner.

Oh...and did I mention that I finally praise the Lord got that 50mm that I've been dying and salivating over? Stalking it like a ninja, actually. I have wanted a 50mm since I started getting serious about photography, and now thanks to the 'rents I got one. :) I'm their favorite. Kidding, but I'm so in love. The bokeh makes my heart go pitter patter.

And not just in love with my lens...I do love this guy, too. He always goes out of his way to make my birthday special. He even changed his work schedule so he could come home early and make sure the kids didn't kill me on my birthday. It was a fabulous day...and I miss it. And the cake and presents, too. But don't worry...I'll be gladly turning 29 next June 3rd. ;)

These weeks YouCapture theme was "fun". Check out the link for more great stuff.

Everybody's trying it...

Around here we are CFA fanatics. So of course we signed up for the free sandwich coupon to try the new Spicy Chicken sammy. Billy and I went last Wednesday and tried it. We were not disappointed. But I'm pretty sure CFA would have to start selling mud sandwiches for us not to love it. We even kind of made a date night out of it and left the kids with my sisters. I'm sure even Merrick would have loved it though, since that kiddo can down some Chipotle hot salsa and not bat one of his long, get-me-out-of-trouble eyelashes. ;)

Have you tried it yet? If so...what did you think?

Nothing says summer like bored kids.

This time last week we were all enjoying a long weekend. I think that 3 days is a good length for a weekend, and maybe that should be mandatory. Or at least summer vacation should be required...not just for kids. They don't seem to fully appreciate the finer things in life. 3 months with nothing to do, naps, early bedtimes, playing and having people clean up after you, etc. I have always loved summer...and last weekend we had a great time kicking it off. For Memorial Day my family always gets together, grills out, and plays a game of volleyball or softball until we are all suffering from heat exhaustion. Then we eat some more:
It was a great start to the summer. And even though I'll be working my behind off for the guy pictured above...it's the best kind of work, and I really can't believe they pay me for this. Oh wait, they don't...but whatever.

What are some things that say "summer is here" for you?

Let my people (of walmart) go.

Odd title. Yes, I know. As usual with my posts...they start out having you thinking "this woman needs more sleep" and end with you saying "I was right, this woman needs more sleep". You are right, on both counts. And I went to Walmart with both kids yesterday...so I have a good excuse.

Yesterday I was doing my mom's grocery shopping...which I usually do about once a week. My sister has been sick with a unidentified virus *No thank you very much* so I didn't leave the kids with her as I usually do on such trips. We were doing pretty well aside from Merrick having a few fist fights with groceries taking up too much space, and Tirzah repeatedly getting her chubby little legs caught in the cart bars.

About half way through Merrick started to get bored. He tried to help me load items into the cart, which is thoughtful, but I didn't really want 99% of what he put in. He was efficient, however, when asked to put things back. *Such as the tomato he hurled across produce...which by the grace of God actually landed in the tomato bin. Twice. That's the problem with laughing at your kids...they repeat what you laughed at. Hey, I really tried not to laugh when he threw that tomato.*
Merrick also did a great job of fending off any shoppers, or possible muggers, with the bottle of Resolve. People minding their own business would walk by the cart and he would menacingly say "I SPRAY you." A few snickered, a few looked confused, a few looked at me like "Honey...you'll probably make it out of the terrible two's alive."

After I took his weapon from him. I got a phone call from my mom. I had to park at the end of an aisle for a second since the cart weighs 487 lbs and I cannot push it and put Merrick back in it with one arm. *This is where Charlton Heston made his appearance, hence the title.* Merrick stands at the end of the cart and spreads his arms...kinda like Mr. Heston here:

...and yells "PEOPLE....STOP!" Thankfully...people laughed but kept on walking. We did make it out without many more incidents, and thankfully before "Moses" had a chance to send a plague on the meat department or anyone's first born.

Shout it out.

Contrary to what you might think...this is a happy scream. Nothing like a little ear-piercing, throat clearing shriek to let the world know it. Hope your day is so good you wanna scream, too.

This weeks theme at YouCapture was "one shot". I think this about covers it. Check out the site for more shots and blogs!