Bitter Sweet and Ugly

I don't know how to write about Christmas. There were so many laughs, and moments that made it SWEET. And perfect. And wonderful. But then your kids cry for an entire afternoon when everyone leaves. Those are the bitter parts. The worth-it-a-million-times-over, bitter parts. It's really hard to see how much your kids are missing, by having family so far. BUT, I am VERY GRATEFUL for the time we do have. Here are a few moments.

Grammy (from KY) bought the kids a trampoline for Christmas. Naturally a kung fu match broke out immediately.

Things got a little "ugly" in photoshop, when this snapshot:

turned into this.

What do we think? Are we seeing a HAUTE PAPA shoot in the future?? You all have no idea how hard we laughed about this. We literally ended up sitting at my dining room table for hours altering photos and CRYING. It was completely hysterical. And yes, we are easily amused.

And on that note, all the fun and games are officially over. Tomorrow it's full steam ahead, trying to catch up from a week away. Then I leave for Tampa Bay for the DWF Convention with my homey Kate (can't wait!). And check back soon for your regular Blogcasting programming. I'm BAAA-AACK. WOOT.

Peace Out

The whole family is here! This means I will be spending the next few days eating Mexican food under Christmas lights at the Riverwalk, watching princess fashion shows in the livingroom, getting pedicures with my girls, and finding excuses to eat and drink too much, (while maintaining my 8 pound weight loss of course).  :) Anyway, I'm not even going to front like there will be time for blogging. SO, HAVE A REALLY WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!! Merry Christmas! And thank you to each and every person who stops by this little spot of my computer life. I appreciate all of you and hope that your days are filled up with all your best wishes!! Now it's vacation time peeps...BOOYAH!!!  :0)

The Bruns Family

Fun family, fun shoot, fun day...

Christmas Cheer

What's up web-a-doodle? Believe it or not, I have a ton of "real" photos to post up here. But I can't stop talking about my couch. You know the one that is FREE from the chains of Laundry Hell...check it. Sofashank Redemption.

 

WHO KNEW THAT YOU COULD ASK YOUR CLEANING LADY TO DO STUFF??!! Well, I guess I technically knew that. The thought of actually doing it just made my stomach hurt. But last night the girls gave me courage, "For God sakes Maile, just ASK HER!" So, I pep-talked myself up and BOLD-FACED..taped a note to the door and RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE. I had planned on staying out until after she was gone because I wasn't wearing my bullet proof vest. But I FORGOT SOMETHING and had to come back! Jason had the day off and we sat in the driveway. Me: "Can you please go in. I'm scared." Jason: "You are being ridiculous." Me: "Maybe we should buy her a gift first. Like a basket of fruit...or a car...or maybe an island..." I walked in, and there she was...not even holding an ax. I held up my note and asked her if it was okay and she said it was. And that's when I dive-rolled out so that the bullets would be less likely to hit a moving target. I'm hard like that. Moral of the story: If you need something, ASK. They may say no, and you'll be in the same position. But you cannot imagine the euphoria when they say yes.

Speaking of Christmas, we had a little party at Tina's the other night. Every year, we play the more-naughty-than-nice white elephant game and laugh ourselves into a mess. I took hardly any photos because my camera gets moody in December. But Andrea got this shot of me and Misha Pisha Michelle. Against my better judgment, I'm posting it. I have no idea what we we're doing here, but I have apparently taken on the role of her jealous boyfriend. Do I not look like I'm trying to protect my girl? Seriously. This is why I stay BEHIND the camera. And do we love Michelle's Something About Mary hair? We just about died when we saw that in the camera.

And, I'm going to be nice and not post the photos of Tina laying on the floor wearing my PRECIOUS CHRISTMAS HEELS. BUT, I will say that my shoes were so hot that everyone was passing them around by the end of the night. That's right. I have a hard core crush on these heels, and so does everyone else who comes into contact with them. 

The next morning, even after getting home at one mind you, I got up to be the overly emotional mom in the audience for Annie and Emily's Christmas program. I'm blurring out all the other kids, not to be rude, but I don't know if their parents want them up here.

There's something about all that innoncence in one place, which I find totally overwhelming. I have to think about bills and taxes to keep from ugly-crying throughout the entire program. If I let myself think about how much I adore the cuteness on the stage, I will completely lose it. 

Alright, it's saturday morning and that's a great thing. Enjoy the weekend y'all.

Oh wait, I've been cyber-stalking my friend Kal because I think she may have had her baby and can't wait to hear (because I'm sure having just had a baby, she has nothing else to do than BLOG). If you're inclined, would you please send her cupcakes and sleep wishes today!

Rubies and Mountains

Four Thirty was harsh, but SO worth it. Besides a few details, I'm CAUGHT UP on work stuff. Can you hear the angels singing? I had the best day today. I drew lines through everything on the list. That never happens. And it is so exhilarating that I could care less about how tired I am. It also feels really good to know that I am indeed NOT repeating the events of holidays past. Specifically last year when my inability to say no, put me in the hospital. God, that was horrible. But I'm SO GRATEFUL for what I learned from that. Mainly, that stress is as real as crack. And shooting it into your veins on a regular basis WILL kill you. Also, I know from experience now, how INTRICATELY connected your body is to your mind. That's right, say it with me.......OOOOOOMMMMMMM......  :)

And as if my day couldn't get any better, look what showed up on my doorstep, all the way from England. THAT'S RIGHT GIRLS, The International Rubies are HERE! So if you won, be on the look out. I will have you all know that these 6 bottles (you didn't think I wasn't going to order one for myself, did you?) cost almost ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. That's right, after the dollar conversion and shipping, these might as well be made from REAL rubies. So please don't paint your dog's toe nails with it. Actually, I change my mind. That would be awesome. Please DO, and then email the photo to me...along with any others. Because I need to keep up on my little children bottles of deliciousness.

Now I'm going to tell you about my sweet friend Tina who stopped by my house last week JUST to drop off this bottle of polish. I opened the door looking like a homeless person that had broken into my own house. Because they don't make computers that work in the shower. My hair and I were so gross, but I flew out the door anyway to catch her and say hi. And what I really wanted to say is that life is about friends who stop by to bring you nail polish.

Life is also about other thoughtful friends named Suzanne who drop off huge bags of clothes on my door. I tripped over those, to get to Tina that day. If that's not goodness everywhere, I don't know what is.

Now, before you start thinking that I live inside a hallmark commercial, let me show you this lovely photo to pop that bubble quick. Yep. This would be what my couch looks like this very minute. People ask me, "God, how do you DO it?! The business, the kids...??" People, THIS is how I do it...or DON'T do it. So I'm all euphoric about having climbed the through the mountain of work. But just like life, there is always another one waiting right behind it.

And if anyone out there knows of a housecleaner who also does laundry, LET ME KNOW. I'm serious.

Alright, big day tomorrow. I need to go to bed while the clock is still in two digit numbers.

p.s. Tina's polish is called "Glam" by Orly. And it is so remarkably similar to Ruby Slippers that I want to shoot myself. 

Night!   :0)