So Shoe Me!

SHOES! I love them. I can't afford to buy many of them. But I love them. ALOT. Boots, stiletto's, ballet flats, and heels. Especially heels. According to somebody that shall remain nameless, you can't buy happiness, you can only buy fun. What does he know?!?!? HE'S. A. BOY. Yes, shoes. They are my friend.

Apparently, this passion for foot wear is an inherited gene that works its way down from generation to generation of women. As my mom passed down this gene to me, it seems I have done my feminine duty and passed it down to my female offspring as well.

We recently purchased Perri's shoes for the spring and summer season. We might need an intervention soon because she is seriously obsessed with her new duds. We have to try them on at least 3 times a day, you know, "just to make sure they still fit". And speaking of fit, she is having one because I won't let her put them in her closet yet. We haven't cleaned out Fall/winter stuff because the weather here can't decide if it wants to be summer or snowing. (The kids have tee-tiny closets and we can only fit one season of clothes at a time in there.)

I have taught her well, though, because she also insists on keeping them in their boxes so they stay nice longer. (I need a tissue. Proud tears on the verge of spilling over.) You, Go, Baby!!!

Wanna guess which ones are her favorite?

Duh.

(Disclaimer - No, I don't really believe money can buy happiness. But, it can buy a really great pair of shoes that make you down right giddy!)

I Heart Faces - Creative Crop

I am having so much fun learning from all the talented and kewl peep's over at I Heart Faces!! This week's theme is creative crop. I love off-center, interesting composition-ed (is that a word?) pictures. A well cropped photo adds interest and character to any subject!

This week I am submitting a photo in both the adult and kido categories. Normally, you can only submit one pic in each category, but this week you are allowed to submit the original un-cropped photo and as well as the cropped and finished one.

Here is my entry for the kids. The picture is of my daughter, Perri and her daddy in Destin while watching the sun set.

Before:

After:

This is my submission for the adults. This picture I cropped in my lens, so no Photoshop-ing was necessary. This handsome face belongs to the hand above. :)

Head on over to the http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ to enter your own and take a look-see at the other folks nifty stuff.

Extreme Birthday Makeover...Da Hubby Edition

Yep. It's HIS birthday today. The big 42. He decided it was time for a change. My rock-n-roll man is growing up. But, he'll always be a rocker! So here is the before shot...

Cute, right?

Are you ready?

Seriously, you may want to sit down.

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

Are you ready?

WOW!!! See what I mean!?!?! Holy butter beans!! He is such a hottie AND he puts up with me taking pictures of him!!

Did I mention that he cooks, too?

Yes, my friends, life, indeed, is so very good. Happy birthday, Hottie, uuh, I mean, Hubby!

Friday Night Videos

OK, probably the entire world has viewed this at one point or another, but I thought it was kewl enough to show again. Enjoy!

March 4 - Ever!

March 4, 1995

March 4th is a very important day in the Balentine home. It represents the beginning of an amazing journey into what is now our precious family. 14 years ago today, Da Hubby and I took the plunge and got married on a very rainy and cold March afternoon. It was such an amazing day and I still remember the feeling of being week in the knees when the doors opened and there were all my friends and family waiting for me to walk down the aisle. I also remember locking eyes with my future hubby and everyone else disappearing. Nothing mattered more to me than being able to spend the rest of my life with him. (sigh)

We had such a crazy wedding party! I have to laugh looking back at my wedding photos because the men had just as much hair as the women (My man included - don't laugh - mullets used to be kewl....used to be.) But, that's what you get when you marry a musician.


Wow, hunter green bridesmaids dresses. Lover-ly! At least they could wear them other places! OK, so maybe not. :)

14 years seems like a long time and even though it feels like we have been together forever, it also feels like we just got married yesterday. I was so young! We were so much in love. And we still are. I am so grateful to be married to such an awesome man, and though we have had our share of the good, the bad, and the ugly, we were truly made for each other. He's my "Lobster." (Go watch Friends.)

March 4th is also the anniversary of our first date 17 years ago. I was 18 and he was 24. I will never forget the face my father made when he walked in the door. LOL!! Umm. Shock and disbelief might be a little understated for the expression. I always brought home clean cut lawyer, military, or stock broker types. This long haired, bass playing rock musician was MUCH different than my usual type. I think "hood" was the exact word that my dad used. But, my "hood" loved Jesus and was the most wonderful blessing God could have given me.

Have I told you that the man makes me laugh!! If you know my precious man then you know what I am talking about. We laugh all the time and life is certainly never boring with him around. Seriously, he is the ONLY person in the world who can make me laugh so hard that I snort! He keeps me young and skinny. (Well, sort of.)

So, Happy Anniversary, Bud-EE!!! I love, love, love you! I am so blessed to married to you and look forward to everyday that we have 4-Ever!!
With all my of love, chocolate pudding, and big hair,
Me2

Playing Like There Snow Tomorrow..and Other Stuff

Duglin got a fabulous late winter birthday surprise last week! It snowed. ALOT. It doesn't really snow that much here where we live. We might get a couple of dusting's every season but usually it's here today and gone tomorrow.

It started snowing around noon and didn't stop until 6: 00 the next morning. 12 inches later we had ourselves a winter wonderland! We actually had a drift or two that was 2 ft! That's huge for us! We bundled the kids up, I armed my self with the camera, and we all headed outside for some birthday snow fun!

Duglin always like to do things a little "differently" - wears his clothes backwards and inside out, eats with the wrong end of a spoon, dips his carrots in ice cream. Here, he is making a "belly-flop" face down snow angel. I just love that kid!

WE have a couple of great hills in our backyard that make for sledding fun. We didn't have a sled so we used the top of the turtle sandbox. They LOVED that! Our rat terrier, Harmini was having a ball, too!

We all had a such a blast. Well, maybe with the exception of...

I am not sure what is more sad, the fact that Sundae's tail is so far between her legs that it nearly froze to her belly, or that I made her wear a coat. Poor baby!

Isn't he gorgeous?!

Duglin had a wonderful birthday party! The cake turned out cute and I had minimal green food coloring under my fingernails. We had a military theme this year.

In Duglin fashion, gift opening time went much like this.

AAAAAAAAAAnd, we're done.

I Heart Faces - Messy!

I Heart Faces blog contest theme this week is Messy! Click http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ to go take a look at some of the other entries and to participate yourself! Duglin fits perfectly into the "messy" catagory. This picture was actually taken on film a few years back and was scanned in and "fixed up". I feel kinda bad because Duglin has been the subject of the last two contests. I do actually get pictures of all my kids! Duglin's just fit best into the last two themes! :) Here he's wearing his "sketti."

I am trying to figure out what I am doing, so please do not hesitate to leave comments and/or suggestions!