half empty, or half full?

HALF EMPTY

1. a 4 day visit from my parents and little brother turns to a 2 day visit, due more snow in VA and flight cancellations
2. the 2nd day of their visit, I get to experience my very first car crash (not my fault!)
3. my babies and brother were in the car at the time
4. there's almost $5000 of damage to my car
5. the state trooper writes me a ticket and puts a "point" on my license for not having proof of insurance with me (learn from my mistake, and go make sure that paper is in your car!!)
6. to dispute the ticket and drop the charges, I have to go to court to show my proof of insurance
7. Today, the day after my mom went home, all three of us came down with nasty colds, accompanied with fevers
8. Because we're sick, I have to cancel my babysitter and much anticipated spa night with a good friend, who's husband is also deployed
9. Do I even have to mention, this all happens while Scott is gone?!!

HALF FULL

1. despite all the snow and flight cancellations, my parents still manage to come down for a visit and I don't have to be alone for Valentines Day
2. my very first car accident happens with my parents there to walk me through every step, keep the girls happy, and me calm
3. no one was hurt, and the driver of the other car is a decent person who admitted fault
4. the other driver was fully insured, his insurance is covering all costs, and had us set up with a rental car right away
5. when the insurance agent called with a damage report, the damage is less than what our car was worth (in other words, our car wasn't totaled!)
6. my mother changed her return flight date so she could extend her visit, and help me cope with the stress of getting through an accident
7. We had a fun day being spoiled by Grandma, and went around Navarre pretending to be beach tourists. She bought us Navarre Beach t-shirts, sea shell Christmas ornaments, salt water taffy, and other tourist trap goodies, and we ate dinner at a restaurant on the beach
8. Today, the day after my mother went home, is a beautiful, sunny, 60 degree day, and I was surprised by a delivery of a dozen pink and red roses from Scott. The bouquet he sent for Valentines Day is still bright and beautiful too, and my mom left us her Valentines Day flowers from Dad, so our home is full of sweet, fragrant flowers, reminding me that I'm loved, blessed, watched over, and that although not always easy, life is indeed beautiful.

The prettiest hair takes longest to grow

My mother has often said, "Every mother believes her child is beautiful. Some of them are right!"

Well, I both think my daughters are beautiful, and that I'm right! Anny has this soft, fine blond hair, that naturally does a sweet, curly little flip at the sides. It has been 3 1/2 years in the making, and recently has finally been due for a first haircut.

Here's our photo-documentation of this special day:

Before

I love the view of her little face in the mirror here!

And the finished product!

What, you can't tell a difference between the beginning and ending shots? That's because our stylist, Katie, is so talented. She preserved the little girl sweetness of Anny's hair, but still evened out the layers so it will lay better, and trimmed the back up a little, eliminating the baby mullet look she was starting to grow! Check out the photos I took of Anny's hair the next day, now that it's lighter, and laying how it should! This is how she now looks everyday, with as little care as running a comb through in the morning. Her natural curl and precious baby girl flip are back, and sweeter than ever!

Special thanks of course goes to our dear friend and awesome personal stylist, Katie Craig! If you're in the area and looking for someone fabulous to trust with your precious locks, she's your girl. She's been cutting and styling my hair for almost a year, and I'd never go to anyone else! I even trust my babies with her. If we're still in the area in the next 2-3 years, she can do Merrylee too!