Ice Cream - FAIL

Image thanks to brendasweddingblog.com*

We have a friendly neighborhood ice cream truck that drives by our apartment every other day or so. Unfortunately, it always comes by during Little Guy's nap time. I figure I should probably have him with me to use as an excuse. That way I am not the only 20-something year old standing in line (giddy as can be) behind a bunch of children 6 and under.

Anyway, I had all of the windows open due to the fact that our apartment is blazing hot during the summer months. I'm talking 85 degrees in here folks. If that isn't blazing, I don't know what is. So, with the windows open I could hear the happy little tinkling jingle of the ice cream truck coming down the road. I started praying that Little Guy would hurry and wake up so that we could catch it before it left. He didn't. He loves his naps. Can't blame the kid.

As it drove by my apartment, I started humming the song that was blaring from the speakers up top. I didn't even think about it, just knew the tune and joined in. It wasn't until half way through that I realized what song it was. Right then I started laughing and couldn't believe what I was hearing. Someone needs to tell the ice cream truck driver that it is JULY. They should not be playing "Rudolph the Red-nosed Raindeer". FAIL.

*Um, could someone please tell me why I didn't think about serving ice cream cones at my summer wedding? I am loving that idea.

My Journal

Growing up, I was an avid journal writer. I wrote just about every day between 4th grade and 7th grade and at least once a week from then on. I am now so very grateful I did. It has provided great entertainment for my husband and I as we read about my 7th grade crush, the various arguments I got into with my siblings, or the first day I met my husband.

I stopped writing in my journal about 2 years ago. As I started to blog more and more, my journal entries became less and less. I found my journal a week and a half ago and realized my last entry was when I was still pregnant with Little Guy.

This means I never even wrote about my labor and delivery, or how I felt those first weeks we had Little Guy home. I didn't write about my grandpa passing away, how much I missed him and loved him, or his beautiful funeral where I was able to see all of my cousins and aunts and uncles. I didn't write about my family moving to a completely different state and how much I missed them. I didn't write about finishing up my last semester at college, or the fact that I worked at a company that required me to work 12 hour days, and occasionally even 16 hour days when I was 9 months pregnant. I didn't write about Little Guys first word, or first step, or first birthday.

Sure, all of these things were recorded on my family blog, which is great, but if we are being honest -- it's not the same. I now wish I had taken the time to write in my journal, even if it were just once a month. I miss being able to look back and see how I truly felt during all of those big important things and even the small non-exciting things.

It wasn't until I read Marta's blog post on handwriting that I was finally inspired to write in my journal once again. I have man handwriting and haven't ever loved to look at it. However, after reading her post I was convinced that it didn't matter how pretty it was, the important part was that it was mine and only mine!

Not only that, but I feel that when something is written in the handwriting of the author, it not only makes it more authentic, but it makes it 100 times more personal for the reader. I am excited to start up journal writing once again, and I hope that my future self will find as much entertainment from it as my present self does from my past entries!

Happy Sunday Evening

When JC and I were first married, we started the tradition of playing card games every Sunday night.  It was my favorite time of the week, and we always had such a blast.  

You would think that it would get old after a while, especially seeing how we only had two card games. Phase 10 and Skip-bo (classics).  However, it never did and we always looked forward to Sunday Night Game Night.  

That was until major life changes started taking place.  We graduated, we moved,  we had Little Guy, Jer started grad school, etc.  We still tried to do it occasionally, but it just wasn't our little tradition anymore.

A few Sunday's ago we pulled out the good ol' Skip-bo cards from the closet, blew off the dust, popped some popcorn, sat cross legged on the couch and played like we had never stopped playing.  It was fun.  More than just fun actually.  It was the highlight of my week (and not just because I happened to win all THREE games).  We were able to talk and laugh and spend good quality time with each other while Little Guy was snoozing away.  It was wonderful.  

I am happy to say that I think SNGN is back!  I am off to go win (er.. play..).  Bring on the popcorn.

busy as a horse

I know what you are thinking, "Hil, you have your sayings all mixed up". You're thinking, "Isn't it supposed to be 'busy as a bee' or 'hungry as a horse'?" Why, yes, it is. But I'm neither one of those so just get over it.

I have had some fun blog design orders lately and decided to share them with you, just because I can.  I really love designing.  It gives me something to do while I wait for Little Guy to wake up from his snoozes.

It also allows me to get rid of some of my creative energy without making a mess of my home. I just make a mess of my desktop instead.  I have so many design documents on there that the other day my husband asked why I even have a picture for my desktop background.  I try to get it under control, but usually fail.  Oh well.

Here are a few of my latest:

"All That Is Good" wanted a new design for spring.  Her previous blog design was pretty dark so we lightened it up and incorporated some fun spring colors and design elements.

Caroline has a fun card company and wanted her blog to be in all shades of pink with some black here and there.  We also created a company logo for her to place on each of her cards.  I love the girly factor in this one.

This is a blog design I did for my sister and her fiance a little while ago.  We have since changed the colors to red and blue (a change in wedding colors).  This version will soon be in my premade shop, so keep an eye open!  It is one of my favorites.

"Because I Have Been Given Much" was another fun springtime design.  She wanted a cartoon picture of a family of 6, but ended up loving the idea of a silhouette instead.  The sidebar headers are my favorite in this one.

"Simply Delicious" is a cooking blog that my cute friend, Adele, has recently started.  It focuses on posting recipes that you can make with items that you already have in your kitchen (genious idea).  You are even able to submit a recipe and be featured on her blog!  Go to her link and check it out.

Sponsor-a-mile

I was first introduced to the Strong's when they contacted me wanting a new blog design. At that point I had no idea what sort of an impact this special family would have on my life. 

I soon found out that their daughter, Gwendolyn, had been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at just 6 months. After doing some research on their blog, I found out that SMA is the #1 genetic infant killer. I also noticed that they had started a petition in support of the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act, which if passed will end SMA.  (Please sign it!)

What made this story hit close to home was the fact that their little Gwendolyn was just 2 days younger than my Little Guy.  The strength that Victoria and Bill Strong have amazes me.  They are striving to find an end to this disease, with little hope that it will help their own daughter, but knowing it will prevent other parents from going through what they have.

Gwendolyn is a sweetheart.  I love reading their blog each day, it is truly inspiring and gives me hope knowing that there are good people out there in the world striving to do some good!

I write this post to let you know about their latest effort to end SMA.  They are traveling across the country in an RV to visit Gwendolyn's 104 year old great-grandpa.  To hear the story about how this came about, go here.  They are asking us to sponsor a mile along the way.  It is just $10 per mile, but you can donate as much as you would like.  All of the proceeds will go to the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation to help research, awareness and support for SMA.

I have been following them on Twitter and reading their blog posts throughout their trip.  They just left, so it isn't too late to get caught up!  

Also, be sure to watch this news report.  It does a much better job explaining than I did! :)

I love my dad

Happy Father's Day dad!

Thank you for being the best dad a girl could ever ask for.  You are not just my dad, but one of my best friends.  

Thank you for always pretending that your children's gifts were the greatest gifts you had ever received

...for the hours and hours spent driving the boat while we wakeboarded behind

...for your hard work to provide for our family

...for all of the little inside jokes we have (day-wha...?)

...for being a master griller (salmon jerky or not.. I always loved it)

...for having family scripture study and prayer faithfully all growing up

...for teaching me how to work

...for hours spent editing english papers and helping with math assignments

...for loving ice cream and cookie dough almost as much as I do

...for making sure we all made it out of the house on time for family vacations

...for blaming the red lights on the fact that we left 2 minutes later than we should have

...for teaching us how to properly load a dishwasher

...for always telling me how beautiful the lawn looked after I had mowed it

...for always telling me how beautiful I looked, especially on days when I didn't feel like I did

...for showing me how to serve others

...for putting up with my cry spells (and for living with 3 other girls that did the same, just not as often...)

...for quoting movies, Brian Regan and Bill Cosby with me

...for eating a midnight snack (usually a bowl of cereal) and letting me join you

...for always having a sense of humor 

...for helping me read a decal on the back of a car that said "confusion" which I thought was "con-foo-see-on" thinking it was some sort of kung fu.

...for making me laugh when I wanted to cry

...for always loving mom and showing me what an eternal marriage is all about

...for playing with Little Guy and being a wonderful grandpa

Most of all, thank you for being you and living your life in a way that has been a wonderful example for me.  I love you dad.  Enjoy your chocolate cake without me today!

*For a touching Father's Day story, go here.

guilty as charged

Remember the diet JC and I are on that was briefly mentioned here?  Well, I think I need to clarify.  

My version of the diet is drinking a Slim Fast shake for breakfast and lunch, sneaking cookie dough here and there throughout the day (which is stored as neat little balls in the freezer), eating whatever for dinner and finishing the day with another ball of cookie dough.  

Surprisingly, it has still (kind of) worked.  But I feel like I shouldn't claim to be on a diet with all of the cookie dough I have consumed.  I am happy to say that I ate the last of the cookie dough tonight and don't plan on making another batch... but I won't promise anything.

So, let me rephrase that last post by saying "before my husband went on his diet..."

By the way, is there a CDLA (Cookie Dough Lovers Anonymous)?  If there is, don't tell me.  At this point I know I have a problem, but I am not yet willing to fix it.  I'll put it on hold for a while, but I refuse to ever let it go completely.