Dreaming of Shoes

Does anyone else seriously love shoes? 

I keep seeing these amazing boots with cuffs this fall.  Tall booties with peep toes, lots of buckles & embellishments - they all scream my name. 

Then I realize I'm pregnant...tall anything won't work.  Soon my butt and thighs will rule my body, and I constantly fall down. 

So I'm on the market for some stunning flat or small wedge black boots at a reasonable price.  All the shoes above aren't reasonable prices considering I have about 15 shoes per season I rotate through!  I hope Kohls pulls through for me because they constantly give away 30% coupons & I can afford that!

Piperlime - Rachel Zoe's Shoe Picks for Fall

European Vacation

I am VERY excited.  Tonight my cousin Jared has came home.  When I say home, I really mean he came a long way.  You see, Jared lives in Switzerland as an accountant for ADM.  We see him a few times a year.

He is currently living quite the life!  He lives abroad and travels to amazing places in his spare time:  Egypt, South Africa, all over Europe - you catch my point.  He basically travels the world to feel up giant rhinos and take safaris - no not really, but who else can say they honestly touched a rhino?

He's also cute, smart, working, & single - ladies any takers?  His Mom would LOVE him to find a central Illinois girl to settle him down back home.

In the meantime he has brought home 3 European friends.  So tonight we are entertaining an Irishman, an Englishman, and a German - all while Mom serves Italian Beef on our family farm - funny no?

I am excited because Mom already took them shopping with my Aunt Jackie - her twin.  She said they are an absolute riot and tonight is sure to be a great time!  We are riding John Deere Gators, fishing, and searching for skunks.  Apparently skunks don't exist over there & they must know what a skunk smells like since nothing else in the world smells just like a skunk.  So wish us luck in our adventures - it's sure to be entertaining!  Also, hope we can stink up a skunk - where they can smell it, but not be personally sprayed - or Aunt Jackie will have a long drive home with 3 stinky Europeans!

I've Lost My Mind

My husband has been giving me a ton of grief!  I just went out and got a pair of these.

He doesn't believe that they will really "shape up" my legs and butt.  I'm not sure if they will, but if they do - shoot dang I'm not going to be against it one tiny bit!  I bought them b/c they fit like clouds on my feet!  I also had $70 in Kohls cash that was about to expire & a 20% off coupon.  So these babies are normally $110 & with their sale price & my Kohls loot - I paid $25.  I'm going to Disney this fall & I figured if they fit like a cloud - I will LOVE them.  So far I do.  So does anyone have these and have results?!?

I also did something insane!

I ordered this...

Now I don't think I'll ever look like her b/c I'm twice as curvy - I have HIPS!  I haven't worn a bikini since before I had Aubrie.  I was pregnant with her 5 years ago at this time.  So it's been a long time.  But I've lost 5 pounds and 5 inches since I've started Shakeology & P90X.  That's in 3 weeks!  So this is my goal.  I KNOW I can't rock this suit now, but MAYBE by the end of month 2 I can.  So it's my inspiration & my goal.  Something to work hard toward.  So I'm very excited.  Jade & I have been eating healthy & feeding good meals to our kids.  We both feel GREAT and are beyond words excited about the changes in our bodies.  It's refreshing to realize that I don't have to worry about wearing shorts anymore!  I'm making a lifestyle change to get healthy, and I'm happy about it!

Sorry to all the hubs out there, but I HAD to share...

You guys don't know this, but I LOVE shoes!  Since I've had kids - I've sadly put away most of my fabulous heels.  Plus - my feet grew half a size with each child - so my dearly beloved best friend got a garbage bag of amazing shoes.  Long gone are my size 6 1/2 feet that I used to rock in fabulously tall heels.

So now days I dig on wedges.  I can carry a kid in a wedge and not roll my ankle - which I am FAMOUS for!  So, at our Ethel Edith spring show, I ran into a high school friend who was rocking the cutest shoes!  I had to know about them & she gave me the details.  She said they were Madden Girl shoes & so comfortable!  So after the show - I of course searched for these babies & found them here.

I of course ordered them immediately & I am in love.  They fit great and look even better! I have wide feet, but no overhang on these babies.  (Which PS - I hate when peoples toes or heels hang over the edges or sides of their shoes - isn't it uncomfortable - why do you wear them like that?!?).  Bonus, they can go with brown or black & are super cute!  I am digging these shoes.  So I had to share the wealth!  I apologize to your husbands in advance for making you shoe shop, and get a great pedicure. 

Oh and be sure to hit retailmenot.com for coupon codes.  I got 15% off and free shipping!  Woot woot!

What makes you happy?

I've been so busy lately, I've had a hard time relaxing.  So today I want to list the things that make me happy in my life.

My favorite flower growing in the woods by my house - Sweet Williams we call them around here - they smell divine.

My husband passed his surveying exam - he's a professional land surveyor!  He's my best friend and he's super cute & handy!  Plus, he has his dream job now - the fact that he loves it - makes me happy

The fact that I'm sitting here typing and Trudie, is snoring by my feet.  She sits by me wherever I go.  This photo shows off her younger figure!

The fact that a very long year - really provided us with an amazing home.  It still amazes me that my husband DID this!  Can you believe he built this whole thing!  Seriously - he should get a medal for that!

My sisters.  They are stupid in a good way & they make me laugh hard.

(Me, Abbie, & Maggie - For some reason all our group pictures has Abbie graduating - I think she is up to 7 degrees - ha ha - kidding sister!)

I made pretty babies.

Aubrie at her 2 month old baptism in her Great Grandpa Jack's baptism gown.

Everett at 5 months.  (I nursed - hence the shirt.  We thought it was ha-larious.  Abbie made it for him.)

Other things that make me happy:

My Mom.  I miss time with her now that I have kids that hog it!  Sometimes we get a day to go shopping without them and it makes me happy.  Plus, she was a lifesaver this past weekend and a huge help.  I heart her.

My niece Caroline.  Her smile is contagious & looks just like Maggie's!

My best friend Melissa.  My ridiculousness is matched by hers & goodness we have a blast together.  Last time we were together we had a cheerleading heel stretch competition - we bring out the foolishness in each other!

My blender - lately I make one helluva daiquiri - and yes I say it just like that.

Freshly painted toenails - seems weird with all the family friend talk, but yeah I like nice toenails and flip flops.

Jason Mraz and Shakira - what a combo of CDs that just instantly make you want to dance.

My pillow - I've had it at least 6 years and it's Perfect!  That's why it's brand is The Perfect Pillow - makes perfect sense doesn't it!

Snoop Dog - just saying - him and Dre can really bring it.  Wish I could play it, but geez I have kids.

The Tudors - every week - awesome television & like a date with my husband without leaving the house.

Popper popcorn with half a stick of butter.  Yes I just admitted that to you, but golly it's good!

Lots of jewelry & heavy eye make up.  You'd think I was 20 again, but I like a reason to put on some bling & play up the eyes.

Day dates - I live for day dates with Jade - even better if we get to spend the night away too!

Cardinals games - do I like the games - no - but I like popcorn & a date day - get it!

Hearing the wind at night with the windows open.

Babies cheeks - again random I know, but aren't they just so sweet to kiss when they are chubby!  I just realized I was sad because Aubrie lost hers and Everett's are going away.  Then, I picked up Caroline at the babysitters & instantly kissed her chubby cheeks!

You guys & your comments & blogs.  You crack me up & I dig our conversations!

So I ask you - what makes you happy?  Feel free to leave me a big old list like you blogged in my comments - guarantee it will make me happy too!

Inked

Lately I have been thinking about doing something.

The problem is, I can't decide what.

When I was 18 - I blatantly defied Jade.  I got a tattoo.

He said if I got a tattoo he'd break up with me.  I got one anyway and  ha - he married me the crazy boy!  So at 18, I got Todd from The Fox & The Hound on my lower back on the right side.  Just his head, which now is kind of dumb - should have been all of him, but oh well I can't see it and it's still cute.

My maiden name is Fox.  Several male cousins have Fox tattoos so it made sense for me.  I am proud of my last name and where I'm from. 

Anyway, now I think I'd kind of like a really feminine tattoo on the top of my foot for my kids.  I can't figure out what though - quite the dilemma.  So if you have any fabulous ideas - please share!

Tree Stalking

OK - so if you read my blog regularly at all - you know I'm a bit odd, and extremely random.

Well, so is my husband. 

Recently we had a big work at home day.  We organized the garage, did a bit of yard work, and performed a moth funeral - that's a whole new story, but yes Aubrie found a dead moth "butterfly" sobbed over it and I buried it and said words over it - then we went to go buy a butterfly bush to remember the moth.

Well, the landscaping joint didn't have butterfly bushes in yet, so that sent us off on a journey to find an amazing tree.  I tree we had only heard about in stories

We went to Pana, Illinois.  I really didn't think that Jade was going to find this mystery tree, but my man is good.  He found it fast!

This is an American Beech.

I was actually on the phone with my Mom when we rolled up on it and I go "Wow".  I had to get off the phone immediately to eye it better.

These pictures don't do it justice.  Because - A - it's a HUGE massive, and extremely old tree and - B - the bark of this baby is so neat.  It's really smooth and muscular - very knotty.

Now we will soon be on a journey to Southern Illinois.  There is only one nursery we know of that carries this tree so we're going to drive 2+ hours to get it.  It's also extremely slow growing, but if it takes until I'm 60 before I get to awe over my own Beech tree - I'm cool with that.  It's worth the wait!

Obsessive

I am a bit of an obsessive person.  I can't relax until all my plans are done.  It drives Jade's nuts!

So in a matter of two weekends, I sewed 7 pillows, I painted my desk turquoise, I redid my master bedroom, I painted Everett's armoire gray, and I painted my kitchen table green.  On top of that, I put out my spring decor, cleaned all the brush out of my flower beds, and freshened up my front porch (the best I can without flowers).  Then, I went shopping & got my kids adorable clothes for the spring and summer.  It's amazing that I slept and ate huh!  Oh and did you know I work full-time?

I am a bit weird, but if I sit down on the weekends - I literally fall asleep on the couch.  I can't help myself!  So I putter around my house non-stop.  I think it's good to take pride in my house & teach my kids the things I know.  They love sitting around watching me paint & they already have a decorating & cleaning bug in them.  I have quickly learned its best to strip them down to their skivvies when I paint because inevitably - they get in the paint. So I let them join me and watch & they enjoy some how "not touching" the work, but getting it all over their bodies!  In all honesty - the times I'm painting with them we have the funniest conversations - my kids crack me up!

What's my next project you ask?

Well I have many!

1.  I want to paint my piano white.  It's from the 70s and in dire need of a make over.  White may not seem like me, but I'm digging it lately & with white woodwork - it will always fit in.  Besides - who wants to paint a piano and in 5 years hate it's color?  White is timeless.

2.  I want to put in either a paver patio or a stamped concrete patio off our back porch.  I want to surround it with herb gardens.  This is right off my kitchen so it'd be perfect!  Lucky for me - my cousins have a decorative concrete & masonry business & my Dad is part owner in a concrete business - score!

3.  I want to landscape our walkout wing walls.  I want to build a pergola or buy some type of gazebo with a chandy in the middle to shade this concrete wasteland.  I also want to put in some pea gravel for the kids to play in as well as a big fire pit.  This is our "party" pad - not that we have any parties, but still.  It's setup with icicle lights to give it some mood.  I bought those amazing galvanized tubs if you remember and I intend to do some work with some more galvanized items to really spruce it up this spring & make it feel less concrete down there.

4.  Jade & I want to build a potting shed.  It needs to be big enough to fit our mower, my lawn furniture in the winter & all my potting supplies.  I envision something really cute - red with white shutters & a window box.  I want it to look more like a playhouse than a potting shed.

Now a lot of these projects require help.  So I expect to get #1 done.  Then number 3 - I at least want the landscaping done.  #4 is really needed.  So pray the weather cooperates as does my husband!

So is anyone out there obsessive like me? Do you dream of a project & die of anticipate for the weekend when you can get it done?

John Deere Green

Don't tell my Dad, or my husband, but I have a new obsession.

I really really really want, a John Deere Gator.

You see, my Dad has one.  He upgrades it every year, that lucky man! 

Jade borrows it for his surveying business.  He loves it because he isn't sitting butt to crotch on a four wheeler with his business partner all around a construction site.  The thought of this puts me & his partner's wife into hysterics every time we think about it!  So I used it this past weekend to clear all the brush out of my flower beds.  With the push of a button this baby would dump all the junk right into the woods - it was fantastic!

Yes - I went platinum last spring!

My kids ADORE (that word is a serious understatement) Dad's gator.  They love to go on rides around our land - as do I!  Jade drives fast!

 

Even Aubrie's best friend Millie loves the gator.

Why does John Deere Green have to be such a dreamy color?  I really really want one - I may have to check into this or just keep my Dad's captive.  Hopefully they will be at a price that you can't afford not to own one right?!?  A girl can dream can't she!

A Strange Need

Just so you don't forget.  I NEED a Periodic Table of Elements.  I know that it is a very weird need, but trust me I have a vision.  I must have one before I can rearrange my living room.  This would be my feature art on the wall.  I'm odd I know, but I really really want one!

So if you know anyone that has one - e-mail me - housethatjadebuilt@gmail.com!  I'll even pay some fat cash for something like this.

Spring Fever

Why do I love spring?  Let me count the ways.

1.  Tulips - I love when the first ones appear - they look and smell fantastic & always make me happy!  I have a dream to line the outskirts of our woods with tulips & daffodils so we have them every spring - some day!

2.  My lawn turns into lush green grass.  When Jade mows it, it seriously looks like a golf course...then summer comes & with the heat & the clay soil it all burns up.

3.  Landscaping - as always we have big projects in our plans - and they always start in the spring.  They usually don't all come to life because we plan too much, but we have hopes.  We want a pergola and a fire pit on the walkout patio, an outdoor eating patio with an herb garden off the back porch with its own outdoor fireplace/stove & finish that off with a darling shed to keep the mower & all my pots & lawn furniture in the winter.

4.  Ballet flats - I adore these shoes.  However, I loathe cold feet & I have put them away over the winter.  I long to spruce up my outfits with darling flats & sit Indian style in my work chair again.  It's a casual office people - jeans & Indian style sitting is allowed.

5.  My faux snake skin fabric trench coat - I forgot I had it until now & well it's stinking fabulous!  This picture doesn't do it justice & I can't wait to bring it out for spring again!

6.  Our Park - Jade & I love to take the kids & watch them on the big curly slide.  It's hilarious & so much fun every time!  Aubrie's static hair is always the best after she gets off the big slide!

We also love feeding the ducks at the lagoon too!

7.  Fishing.  We only went two times last year and the kids loved it - except when Everett fell in the 2" water and cried hysterically!  We have a pond at our house filled with fish & they are already looking forward to fishing this year.  I can't wait - they get so very excited!  Can you tell Aubrie had recently cut her hair here?  ha ha!

8.  Trees - oh yes trees of all kinds.  The spring trees get glorious blooms and smell amazing!  And the trees start growing - so our small trees grow into bigger ones each year - I LOVE it!  Top it off that we get to plant more trees in our yard.  Jade & I have so much fun with it, but so does Aubrie - she loves trees.  She'll just die when we get our American Beech and Magnolia this year.  It will also be the test - will our dogwood die or live?  Everett hit it with his battery powered Gator - I'm guessing that it dies!  Then - do we want fruit trees too??  That's a big debate in our house because they are so messy and high maintenance!  Maybe we'll let Maggie plant those in her yard!

9.  Easter - I gained ever lasting life through Jesus on this holiday.  To celebrate - I eat an entirely way too large hollow easter bunny.  I love it every year!

10.  My anniversary - we celebrate it on March 20th, the first day of spring.  Every year it's a time to celebrate another year of love & the beautiful family we have created together.

For The Love of Purses

Damn you purse party!

You draw me in with your fancy bling & over-abundance of hand bags.

Why can't I say no to you?

Probably because Dolce and Gabbana has the business I need every time.  And - you make me look good.

This girl has now joined my collection of amazing hand bags.  Perhaps she's a bit over the top.  But that's me - I'm over the top and I heart her!  And the storage she has - oh me oh my - fabulous!

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