A long update.

Just a quick update on what has been going on lately...

1. I turned another year older...the big 2-4. I have this really irrational fear of getting old and wrinkly and rickety, and I have to say, it gets worse with every birthday. I usually wish for them to just pass by as if they never happened.

However, this birthday was actually really great. We started the celebrations almost a week early with Devin's birthday mishap(see post below) and instead of admitting that he had forgotten my real birthday, he just made it a birthday week. I even got to open my present a day early!

Devin got me this cool crafting machine that I've been wanting, and so far I love it. On my actual birthday, Devin took me to get a new phone(I shall explain this in a moment) and we went to dinner with my family. It was a really perfect day. Nothing crazy, but thats what I like. I love that all of my friends that remembered it too.

Some of my birthday fun...

2. We got new phones. FINALLY. It was seriously time. My old phone only worked on the right side of my face for some ridiculously annoying reason, and it didn't even have a camera. I'm talking ancient. I LOVE having a phone that actually works. I feel so...normal! I had no idea that phones were actually computers now. Technology has come so far since I last checked.

3. On a not so positive note, Devin hurt his knee while he was motorcycle riding last weekend. He has been in bed ever since and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. He's going to see the dr. tomorrow, and I'm hoping for a small miracle that there is nothing seriously wrong.

This is just really bad timing.

A. Its right before christmas, B. Our insurance policy just changed and our new plan doesn't start until Jan. 1st. so this lovely knee mishap is not covered. Agh. and C. He's home all day. I'm not getting anything done and I'm totally out of my routine.

Not to complain about him being home, because I love him dearly but I hope he gets better soon.

4. I pierced my sweet little Hadley's ears today. I didn't even mean to...it just...happened. I went to Michaels with Hadley in hand(Devin had Madeline, or she probably would have ended up with them too) and as I was driving out of the parking lot, I spotted Claires.

Haven't been there in years, and for some reason I got a wild hair and decided to stop by. 10 minutes later, my baby had earrings. I'm telling you, total accident. I didn't even tell Devin about it. He loves them though and is happy that she looks more "girly".

She did really well, only cried for a minute on the 2nd ear. I honestly think I was more of a baby. I cried because I had a moment of "I'm the world's worst mother for putting holes in my child's ears." I'm not quite over that yet, but they do look really cute on her, so I'm starting to get more used to them. Better pictures to come of the cuteness that is Hadley with pierced ears.

5. Last night was Devin's work party. I felt bad for him that he was a gimp, but it was a fun little gathering, and his boss explained that the company is doing well and that they are guaranteed work for the next year, at least. This means that I can sleep easy knowing that he has job security(or at least, easier. Stupid knee.)

Thats about it so far this week. Busy. Tomorrow is Madeline's dance class, cross your fingers that it goes well(This is a whole other post in itself. She loves it though and usually does really well).

A very happy unbirthday, to you!

Early this morning, my dear husband snuck out of bed, making sure not to wake me, and hung up streamers and a giant banner reading "Happy Birthday Darci!". Sweet, right? I think so.

However, there is just one minor problem...

Today is NOT my birthday.

Imagine my surprise when I rolled out of bed and saw the decor! hahaha! At first I was confused, but then realized what a funny mistake he had made. And then, when I called him to ask about it, before I could even get a word out I was serenated with his rendition of "Happy Birthday to You!"

I have been laughing all day about it. He is embarrassed, of course for thinking my birthday was the 10th instead of the 14th, but oh well. I think it was very thoughtful.

Today was the best un-birthday ever!

The Shelf.

Devin recently wowed me with his handyman skills...My mom gave us her old bookshelf(That she's had since she graduated!) and it needed some work...to put it nicely. It was really well built by my Grandpa years ago, so it was sturdy and everything, but cosmetically, it was not the cutest thing ever.

Anyway, Devin totally revamped it for me. I drew a picture of what I wanted, and he made it happen. He added all sorts of trim and stained the whole thing for me.

I LOVE IT!

Here's the pictures, though they don't even do it justice...

BEFORE:

(I forgot to take a Before, Before picture. This was in the beginning stages though, so you get the idea.)

AFTER:Didn't he do a good job?!?

Lights.

We have Christmas Lights!

Madeline is quite the little helper these days.

PS. Our decorated tree fell over yesterday. twice. Now it is sparse with ornaments and the lights are pretty much just thrown on. I couldn't seem to get into the mood of redecorating it again(for the 3rd time!), so it seems that we will just have a shoddy looking tree this year. Oh well. At least it smells good!

Christmas Tree.

Devin bringing our Christmas tree home from my parent's house. I think this is my favorite picture ever. Please note that the tree is BIGGER than the car! haha!

Thanksgiving weekend, we went up to Utah to cut Christmas trees. It's a family tradition that we've been doing since forever. This year, we almost didn't go, but at the last minute decided to pile in the car and drive up. Right after we got there, a giant snow storm came through, so we(the girls) spent most of the time in the car. To our credit we did cut down one tree all on our own before we went in though:) My sister and mom cutting the tree down. My contribution was documenting the whole thing.

Anyway, It was a fun little trip and we have a tree to show for it! Madeline rode the 4-wheeler with Devin and loved it(crazy girl-it was freezing!).

Madeline & Grandma
Slate & Tevin
The blizzard. This picture does not do it justice!Madeline on the way there. What a weirdo! She sat like this for a good 20 minutes. Maybe her head was cold???

gotta love the twos...

Miss Madeline, in all her glory.

The cheese smile. And I am so proud of the fact that she actually has a shirt on. She's usually naked...just ask the neighbors:)

Not such a proud moment. Madeline loves pasties. Lovely, I know. Whenever she goes to the bathroom, she gets a sticker. As of late, she INSISTS that I stick them on her boobs(Yes, she specifically asks).

And the Rockstar. Devin has a bit of an addiction to these, and the other day she found one. I'm not sure how much she actually drank but it was right before church and she did get in trouble in nursery...maybe there is a connection? ?? hmm. oh well.


In case you were all wondering, she is still a mischevious little thing. A few days ago, she found a paintbrush with wet stain on it(Devin was staining my new bookshelf) and proceeded to bring it into the house and PAINT MY WALLS! No picture of this because I was too mad to think of a camera. It is still there because I have to repaint to get rid of the damage. (Which means, it will probably be there in another 5 years).

FYI: the Magic Eraser does not work on stain.

trouble.

Don't they just look like they're up to no good?

Madeline found her candy bucket from Halloween...I found them behind the couch gobbling candy as fast as they could. On a positive note, at least they're sharing?!?