Because Texas Politicians Make Me Embarrased to Be A Texan

Except for Joel Burns. I know you have probably seen this, but I hadn't. I knew it existed and what it was, I also knew if I watched it I would cry. And I did. Of course. So just in case you haven't seen it, the bravest cowboy in Texas.

A Demand From Your Heart

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Giving Up On A Child

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About two weeks ago our house erupted into chaos. I found Christopher bleeding, Ducky hysterical and Martin and Grandpa about to kill each other. And my neurotic four year old mostly just worried about the blood getting on the floor. 

I've explained before that my father in law, two nephews and niece live with us. Grandpa is 68, has a heart condition, emphysema and blood pressure problems. He also buried the love of his life just 8 months ago. He shouldn't be raising his daughter's children. But he is and we help as much as we can. Furthermore he doesn't want to. He wants to rest. This would the third set of kids he's raising.  But their mother refuses to take them back. Even when Grandma was dying, she refused to take them, even just for the summer.  After Grandma passed, for some reason she thought she didn't have to pay any kind of child support anymore. We are still taking care of your children...but you don't think you need to help? She visits once a month if that, doesn't call them on their birthdays, generally mother of the year.

Martin is fifteen and has always been the spoiled one. He has his own room, while his brother and sister share a teeny tiny room. He has a flat screen, computer, wii, gamecube, DS, cell phone etc. etc. Grandpa does his laundry, cleans his room, cooks his meals and brings his meals to his smelly little cave. Before she died, Grandma worked very hard to get him into a private school. He has a partial scholarship but Grandpa (who can't work and lives off of social security and disability) pays the rest. 

And yet, with all this. Martin seems to think we are terrible to him. He is a "prisoner" and "hates everyone in this house." He is also failing out of school. He made a 35 in one class. How do you make a 35!?  He has threatened me and gotten in my face, he has balled his fist up and tried to get into Robert's face, and he has even hit Grandpa. In the back.  But two weeks ago he attacked his 8 year old brother and punched him in the face repeatedly. Christopher says he didn't do anything, which I don't really believe. I'm sure he might have teased him or mouthed off. But really does it matter? There is never an excuse to hit. Especially a family member. And he doesn't care. He seems to think he was justified. 

We cannot control him. I don't really think he would hurt one of the littles. (but I didn't think he would hit Christopher either) But they were in the hallway this time. They saw it all. What if they had gotten in the way? And it's more then likely traumatizing. 

We are at a loss. I can't have a kid who hits around my children.  Period. And his mother fills his head with things, like how he doesn't have to listen to Robert and I.  But who cleaned up your other kids blood? Oh I did.  She also says she is going to buy a house and take them all in June. I am holding my breathe for that. She's been saying shit like that for 15 years. Martin was only supposed to live with them for 6 months when he was a baby. 

We have decided that she has to take him. She doesn't get a choice. House or not. Martin can not stay. And we don't have legal custody over him, she doesn't pay child support and she's been claiming him on her taxes all these years. If she doesn't take him, we are going to have to go through CPS to make her take him. 

I feel like we are giving up on him. But we've tried so hard and we just can't have him around the other kids. Christopher hit a kid at school last week and Ducky has been acting out aggressively at school as well. 

We're at the end of our rope. 

What do you guys think? What would you do in our place?

Food For Thought

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100 Definitions of Impossible. This one made me a little weepy. But what's new.

I love Unicorns For Socialism. And not just because I love unicorns and socialism but because she puts things into perspective.

Why I Really and Truly Hate Carrie Bradshaw. Yes, yes and yes.

I do this all the time to my husband.

The Worst Movie of All Time:Chasing Amy. Every point is valid and hilarious.

Being a qualitarian, instead of a vegan, pescatrian, caveman diet. whatever.

Fuck You Peanut Gallery

Hold on, man. We don’t go anywhere with “scary,” “spooky,” “haunted,” or “forbidden” in the title.
— Shaggy

Have you guys seen, read or written anything this week?

TILT

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glitter ♥ new books ♥ old music ♥ kisses ♥ husband ♥ my babies ♥ watching Bliss eat with her little fists ♥ yoga ♥ waking to the park ♥ day dates at museums ♥ clean rooms ♥ redecorating the girls room ♥ new followers ♥ my footie pj's ♥ true friends ♥ fantastically subtle horror like Let Me In ♥ fantastically cheesy 80's movies like Overboard. ♥ Tres Leches ♥ PW's chocolate sheet cake ♥ home made fried chicken ♥ (these last three might just possible be things I am craving as well as things I love)

I know this is "late" but I really needed to be reminded of the things that make me happy right now because I am truly frustrated over stupid things. Don't you just hate facebook sometimes? But this is TILT not TIHT. I do love facebook for allowing me to keep in contact with old friends, family members and to inundate people with pictures of my beautiful children and old embarrassing pictures of me and my husband.

What did you guys love this week?

Don't You Fucking Hate it When People Tell You to Calm Down?

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My Big Brother

 

It's my big brother, Damon's birthday today and since I am too lazy to buy a card and a stamp, I am going to write a post about it, instead. 

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See, I care. Pictures of cake. 

Technically he's not really my big brother, he's my cousin. But he's assumed the role of big brother and I am happy to have him. He is one of my favorite people, one of the few people I respect and am concerned about their opinion. We don't talk much. He moved to California and both of us just aren't phone people. But when we do catch up it's momentous and there's lots of exclamations of "Exactly!" and "I know what you mean!" and laughter. Lots of that. I miss him fiercely sometimes, it would be so amazing to just be able to call him up and ask him to go to lunch or browse the local bookstores.  Maybe in his old age he'll move back here. 

Just like my husband, Damon is also an incredibly talented writer and filmmaker. ( I like to surround myself with people who will be famous so I can ride their coat tails later on. It's my recipe for success.) He has started post production on a new film with his production company One Bird Mocking. 

He is a seriously awesome uncle. He always sends the girls the best stuff for Christmas.

I wish this fit my giant head.

So I wanted to get him something for his birthday. But what would Damon want more than anything? That I can actually give him. Peace of mind and a cure for adult ADHD are out of my realm. It finally came to me, and so with the help of Paige, his right hand lady in One Bird Mocking. I put a teensy tiny amount of money towards his movie. Just a drop in the bucket, but I figure it's the thought that counts right? 

Our family is not very lovey. When I was kid it was more of an obviously I love you because I am here and taking care of you. Which is true. But I think it's really important to say it out loud as well. 

So Damon, I love you. Thanks for being my big brother and making sure I don't listen to the haters. And Happy Birthday! I hope it's better then all the ones before it.

No He Didn't Notice You

Sophie Blackall

Have you ever read the Missed Connections section of your newspaper or Craigslist? It's equal parts funny, sad and heartwarming. Maybe not equal parts, a little more funny and sad then heartwarming. Our local version is called Shot In The Dark. I read it every week. No matter how sad some of them are it would be kind of nice to get one. My husband has gotten three! Jerk. 

Mostly they just bug me. You know what would be better then posting on Craigslist about the girl. Actually getting the balls to talk to her right then and there. How about that? There was one that said "I was on the south bound bus, you were on the north. Did our eyes meet?" No! She was probably day dreaming or checking her lipstick in the reflection, you idiot. You did not have some sort of moment,  Creepy stalker guy.

But my all time favorite one, had the best line ever.  "You make my soul orgasm"  I don't think my soul has ever orgasmed. Is it messy? 

I am kind of cynical and mean. It's true. But Sophie Blackall took a different approach. She sees them as 

"Messages in bottles, smoke signals, letters written in the sand; the modern equivalents are the funny, sad, beautiful, hopeful, hopeless, poetic posts on Missed Connections websites. Every day hundreds of strangers reach out to other strangers on the strength of a glance, a smile or a blue hat. Their messages have the lifespan of a butterfly. I'm trying to pin a few of them down."

What a much better way to see them. She is "pinning" them down by drawing it out. You can look at some of her drawings on her site and can buy them in her Etsy.  This is one of my favorite websites.

Go check her out, but please if you see someone you like just say hi right then and there.  Because no matter how amazing and beautiful Sophie makes it through her art, they still did not see you on the south bound bus. OK!?

Have you ever posted a Missed Connection? Or been posted about?

It's the Old School Snuggie

If you follow me on facebook or twitter then you already know what I got for Valentine's Day. And if you don't follow me, you can do it here and here. Now you can keep up. 

My husband knows me. Some husbands get lingerie for their wives. Poor wives. I got something so much better. And you are jealous. I got plaid footie pajamas. With a butt flap. I will say it again...a butt flap. Do you know how long I have wanted one of these!? Do you know how hard it is to find them? But my husband found them for me. Now I want it to get cold again so I can cozy up. As one of my facebook friends so eloquently put it. You can poop and be warm! What more could I ask for? So many questions. 

Hubs wasn't home when the package got there so I had Sweet Pea take pictures. Yes I made my four year old take pictures of my butt. I am the best mom. 

Shield your eyes from the sexiness. 

Wow, that's hard to miss.

What did you get for Valentine's Day? No matter what it is, I totally win.

Top Five Saturday Doesn't Have a Great Ring To It.

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I love music. I am one of those obnoxious people who when you ask what kind of music they like, I say "Everything" and mean it. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean I like all music, but I can't define a specific genre that I like more then another. The other day I was thinking about music that has been a soundtrack to different parts of my life and I thought of the actual soundtracks that have marked time in my personal history.

I read The Perfect Compilation Tape a lot and she does Top Five Thursdays where she picks the top 5 of stuff and posts it on.....Thursdays. You can re-read that if you don't understand the concept. So I decided to  come up with my own top five, but on Saturday. I give you.....

The (Actual) Soundtrack of my Life. 

Dirty Dancing
Oh my god I loved this soundtrack. We had the movie on tape and the dirty parts were cut out. So I guess it would be "Edited Dancing" instead.  But I use to crawl around on the floor being Baby and singing to Johnny. I'm still not clear on what a jujube is.  This was like 10 or 11.

The Lion King

You would think this would be before Dirty Dancing. But I was obsessed with it in sixth grade. My dad and step mom were getting a divorce and I went to live with my Aunt for a year. My dad bought the Lion King for me and we watched it together. I think it had a lot to do with a connection to him. I also had a huge crush on JTT.  He's my generation's  Bieber.

The Crow

This was my high school years. I was misunderstood okay. I had dyed black hair and wore black lipstick. Oh yeah, I wish I had a picture for you because it was tragic. I even shaved the bottom half of my head.  And this movie and soundtrack fucking spoke to me man!You just don't understand what it's like to be a teenager.

Garden State

This is probably still my favorite soundtrack of all time. It introduced me to The Shins and Frou Frou. The movie is pretty amazing too. This soundtrack was what I was listening to during my first divorce. It had some sad songs, but a lot of the songs are fiercely optimistic. "Let Go." was my anthem that year.

Shrek
This is an amazing soundtrack in it's own right. So many kick ass covers. But this is what Peanut was listening to pretty much non stop when I met her. This soundtrack was me learning to be a parent, be in a relationship with a man who had a kid, and discovering I was pregnant. And realizing that I could stand by my choices. This one is very important to me because it marks the beginning of me growing up and having to make very adult decisions.



What soundtracks do you love? And why?

Food For Thought-The Lazy Edition

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M-Cat explains how much she loves her husband.

A reason why Mother's should always have astroglide.

Great photo set. 

In praise of the melting pot.

That's all I got. Lazy me. Did you guys write or see anything amazing this week?

You Can't Handle the Coping Skills

A while back on Pioneer Woman she wrote a post about Jack Nicholson and homeschooling. About how she channels Col Jessup from A Few Good Men. Read her version because she's way funnier then I am. 

Whenever you are feeling overwhelmed you just channel Col. Jessup. I've actually used this a few times. 

"Miss, can I have some chips at 3 o clock in the morning even though I know that's against the rules?"

"You can't HANDLE the chips."

She is so right, it feels really cathartic and as she points out the very best part is the reaction. They tend to look very confused and surprised. They'll stare at you a minute and then walk away. 

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Be careful though because it can get out of hand. 

"I love you honey."

"You can't HANDLE the love.."

Try it today and then let me know if it works. And by works I mean, you got a good laugh out of it.

Happy 447th Birthday

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I've loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.  

-Galileo Galilei  

 Today is the astronomer's birthday. So take a moment today and look at the stars. 

Are you afraid of the dark?

Happy Heart Day!

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Happy Valentine's Day. I have picked my valentine for life. My fantastic, amazing wonderful, adjective worthy husband. I love you very much, let me count the ways. 

♥ Jeg elsker dig 

♥ Ik hou van jou 

♥ Mi amas vin 

♥ Je t'aime 

♥ Iche liebe Dich 

♥ Saya cinta kamu 

♥ Ti amo 

♥ Ahsite imasu 

♥ Te amo

♥ Wo ai ni 

♥ Kocham cie 

♥ Te iu besc 

♥ Ya vas liubliu 

 ♥ Jag alskar dig

♥ Seni seviyorum

♥ Te Amo

Thank you for sharing your life and love with me. I cannot live without you. 

Do you have a valentine?

Top Ten Ways to Have A Double Rainbow Kind of Day

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Shelly at Shelly Talks Too Much tagged me to name my favorite things. At the same time I've been racking my brain to thing of a good List post for the Problogger 31 Days to a Better Blog that I am following (being behind on) on SITs. So I decided to kill two bird with ones stone. 

I get the Mean Reds once in a while, as I'm sure you do. So I've created a sure fire list to banish them and have a double rainbow kind of day instead. The kind of day where you sob hysterically in sheer happiness. Or you could just smile a lot, whatever floats your boat. Feel free to modify as you see fit, or even add to it.

1. Meditate

I don't neccesarily mean twisting yourself into a pretzel and chanting (unless that does it for you) but more what is meditating to you? A quiet hot bath, sitting still for five minutes, and baking is meditation to me. So just stop and breathe, whatever that means to you. 

2. Dress up

Get dressed. The mean reds  prey on three day old pajamas, your husband's extra large shirt with fried chicken stains and unwashed hair. So at least take a shower and put clean pj's on. Or if you're feeling really ambitious, get all dolled up, even if your not going anywhere. I always feel better with jeans and a cute top on.

3. Guilty Pleasures

 We could just rename this pleasures and lose the guilt. BravoTV, Bring on the Housewives and the Top Chef. Food Network? Jerry Springer? Maury..yes it can still be your baby even if you don't have the same size penis, sir. Kesha? NKOTB? Just own it and enjoy it.

4. Good books

I love to lose myself in a book. Put away the Dostoevsky. I like to re-read things when I am feeling down, or bust out the cheesy romance novel or two. If the guys not shirtless on the cover then it's just too much for a double rainbow kind of day. 

5. Go outside

Breath some fresh air.  Watch your kids play, take your dog for a walk, lay in the grass and cloud watch.

6.Eat some good food

Not healthy neccesarily. Just comfort food. A cupcake a day keeps the sads away. Okay maybe a cupcake a week..every other week?

7.Get some release.

IfyouknowwhatImean. If you don't have a readily available partner, go solo. It has all kinds of proven health benefits.  (if you (in fact) do not know I mean, we're talking about having a rocking orgasm..k?)

8. Exercise

Or just move. Number 7 can substitute for exercise too. At least get off the couch and touch your toes a couple of times. Or walk up the stairs once or twice. Medical people say exercise is good for us mentally and physically. But so is number 7...eh eh eh?

9. Clean

I know! I am such a jerk for mentioning this. But I know that when there are toys and dirty laundry to trip over, or chips crunching under my feet it is impossible to get in a good mood. I actually get a headache and act very grumpy with my hubby. You don't have to clean the baseboards, but at least vacuum. 

10. Power of thought. 

Tell the mean reds to go fuck themselves and remind yourself of all that you have good in life. Life is too short to stay down in the dumps. Mine is my husband, kids, roof over my head and a job that allows me to provide for my kids. These are pretty basic, but some people would kill for these basic things. Don't take them for granted.

Bonus:Go eat breakfast at Tiffany's. You must wear a tiara. It's a rule.

Do you guys have any surefire double rainbow solutions?

How To Stay Up All Night, When You Have To.

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I have worked nights for three years now, so it's pretty much habit. But there are some nights (like now) where I am struggling not to just lay down and drool all over the desk.

1. Take a nap- I always try to take a nap before work. Even if it's just an hour. Sometimes I can't sleep but just laying still and resting helps too.

2. Caffeine-This is an obvious choice. Too much can make my tummy all whirly.

3. Music-Try and listen to music, the dancy-ier the better. Nothing soothing!

4. Stretching/moving-Get up an move your muscles. Touch your toes, walk around the office.

5. Cold water/weather-Splash cold water on your face. Or during the winter you can go outside without your coat on. Brrrrr.

6. Hold it in-I notice that if I try not to pee and hold it, I won't fall asleep. Seriously, try it. I'm too scared I will fall asleep and wet myself.

7. Fake them out-You can paint open eyes on your eyelids, or get glasses with eye's painted on them. Just make sure you don't snore. 

Last but not least (and the very best advice I have)-Get a freaking day job!

Do you guys have any advice to add? Help me out, I am tired!

Won't let the Elevator Break Us Down.

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I am working on the 31 Days to a Better Blog with the SITs girls. Hopefully this time I can keep up with it. Join up if you're interested. 

Day one is to have an elevator pitch. Think about if you had an agent/publisher/editor/whatever in an elevator, and you only have the elevator ride to pitch your idea.  That's your elevator pitch. Short and sweet but designed to get there attention.

This one is hard for me, because my blog is all over the place. I like to thing it's a collection of things that are important to me, things that inspire me. And hopefully inspire you guys in turn.  So here it goes. Try real hard not to make fun of me..k?

I am always hungry for better books, tastier food, a healthier body and mind, and more inspiration as a woman, wife and mother. Sweetbutterbliss is for anyone else who is hungry for more inspiration. And cupcakes. Because cupcakes are tasty.

It's a little cheesy, but that's okay. 

What do you guys think?

Food For Thought-The Crazy Long One.

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Hoping for spring. 

Supposedly a Native American Code of Ethics. Not sure how true that is, but the rules are still good.

A moment of Love. A little boy who likes to dress up like a girl. And so what.

Slide show of children's favorite foods. Some are pretty nasty sounding.

Transformation in Yoga.

The Bloggess is giving out mom advice. Of course.

A new Little Golden Book.

The Bloggess also gives out sex advice. Of Course.

Sassy Gay Friend sets the Giving Tree up on a date.

I met this six year old child with this blank, pale, emotionless face, and the blackest eyes, the devil’s eyes. I spent eight years trying to reach him and then another seven trying to keep him locked up because I realized that what was living behind that boy’s eyes was purely and simply evil. — Dr Samuel Loomis

Excuse me Shark. So rude.

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Oh my god. I want this bracelet.

Cutest thing ever.

Reasons for running.

I freaking love Tim Gunn.

I freaking love Improve Everywhere

An amazing explanation about Egypt and why they are revolting.  Very worth watching.

Top ten tear jerking sci-fi movie moments.

Dinner plate landscapes.

Have you guys written or seen any amazing things alone this week?

Delirous and Covered in Blood- A Love Story

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In honor of the month of looooove. I would like to regal you with hubs and I's love story. First I'd like to tell you how we met. It's a super cute story and I love to tell it. 

When I first met my husband he was delirious, covered in blood and yelling at people. His best friend at the time had kept him from beating the crap out of someone and he couldn't remember my name. He also asked me if I wanted ice cream over and over again.  I ended up dozing on a sidewalk at 4 am and he went home without me.  And I didn't hear from him again for a month.

Isn't that sweet?

A Wake Up Call to Arms

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I am very concerned about the above person's form. Looks like they are about to break an ankle.

 Normally I would just post this on my Food For Thought, but this one is special. It's a Jezebel article that has completely changed the way I look at fitness. A Call to Arms and Abs, Quads, calves and Shoulders. Go read it please. I'll wait.

....

 Right! It's amazing. 

Just in case you don't have time to read it right this second, basically it talks about how the fitness industry revolves around losing weight to LOOK better. Flatter abs, thinner arms, etc, etc. Which makes those of us with fat arms and no abs to speak of feel like poop and maybe even set us up for failure. Having an unattainable goal will effect your motivation and more importantly your self-esteem. 

The writer suggest that we exercises because our bodies are supposed to. This is the part that kills me. Yes. Our bodies were made to move, made to hunt and gather, and eat real, good food.  Our bodies, however, were not made to sit on the couch and eat processed "healthy" TV dinners. 

If you exercises daily and eat when you are hungry and eat real food. Your body will thank you by functioning in the way it was designed to. 

This has motivated me to throw out all my fitness magazines and unsubscribe from their email lists, to flip past articles on how to make my butt look better. 

I will only focus on things that make me feel better, and stronger and healthier. It has inspired me to run. And I actually enjoy it. It's hard during parts of it. Don't get me wrong. But when I want to give up, I remind myself. This is what my body was made for. And I push on.

Have you had any recent epiphanies?

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 Come Live with me and be my love;

And we will all the pleasures prove

That valleys, groves, hills and fields,

Woods or steepy mountain yields.

 -Christopher Marlowe

(I love that he says "steepy")   Why wait until Valentine's Day?

Who is your valentine?

To Create A Great Book

 

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You must choose a great theme

Food For Thought- Th Snowy Edition

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I want this individual pie maker. For valentine's day? Anybody?

ASL Matchbooks

I've been scanning old pictures and I like this one a lot. 

Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.

-  Guillaume Apollinaire 

Don't Mess With the Kids. Damn it.
Wild Letters, awesome.

Have you guys found any good links?

Things I Love Thursday-The New Year Edition

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Today is the Chinese New Year, so wear red for luck, eat candy to make sure you have a sweet year, and don't clean because you may clean out all your good luck. And most importantly, eat good food with your family and friends.

birthday parties ♥ homemade mac n cheese (for breakfast) ♥ DVR ♥ Bill Maher ♥ cake ♥ DL Hughley ♥ Top Chef ♥ food ♥ running ♥ dancing ♥ guest posts ♥ virtual hugs ♥ hanging out with Miss Bliss and Pea ♥ roller derby ♥ hot chicks who roller derby ♥ watching really horrible movies and laughing out them with hubs ♥ Rugrats ♥ Daria ♥

What do you guys love this week?

Improptu Dance Party

my little girl loves the Ramones

So when it came on the MP3 player, we had a dance party in the kitchen.

And this is my all time new favorite picture of Pea. 

Doesn't it make you want to dance? Take pictures!

My Last First Birthday Party

 she's the best present

On Saturday we had Miss Bliss's first birthday. It was fantastic. I always worry that people won't come and I'll cry and hate all our friends for being selfish jerks. But that didn't happen. We had a great turn out. 

 cruising..on a Sunday  afternoon.

She got some really cute gifts. It;'s nice to see her imprint on the mountain of toys in the living room. Of course her big sisters fought over who got to play with the BABY toys while the actual baby passed out from all the excitement. 

 from the Pioneer Woman flickr.

I made the Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet cake. So good. Instead of pecans, I put toffee pieces in the icing.  I am still eating it. Someone stop me! Please!

We also went to Joe's Crab Shack to celebrate my nephew's fifteenth birthday. He's the evil teenager. But aren't they all?

Martin at two.

And Sunday we laid around, ate Chinese food and leftover cake.

How was your weekend?