French Braids and Ponytails

I finished the project in Kiki's room!  It turned out a lot bigger than I thought it would be, but I still really like it.  I found these free alphabet printables online and thought they were adorable and the colors were perfect for Kiki's room.  I printed them and then mounted them on cardstock.  I hung them with twine and clothespins.  The whole project cost me about $5.  

The finished product

 Closer View 

 Aren't they cute?!

 Some of my favorite ones

Now that I'm done with Kiki's room, I can finish up Rosie's.  Then I have the mother of all projects to start on...the guest room.  I'm pretty excited about it.  Right now it is a blank slate.  A blank slate painted a pretty ugly seafoam color.  I've been doing a lot of Pinterest scouring and I think I have decided on the direction I want to go.  I'll keep you posted.

So last night we had a double date night!  It was so fun.  We did have a tiny little chaperone in the form of Keekster, but other than that it was kid free.  It's nice to get out every once in a while.  We went into downtown Asheville and ate at a restaurant called Salsa's.  It is a little Mexican/Caribbean place that had been recommended to us.  It was unlike anything I had ever eaten, but it was good.  We topped it off with frozen yogurt for dessert.  It was pretty hard to count my calories on this little outing, but I tried my hardest.  

I decided to try a little something different with my hair for the occasion.  I have always loved the front french braid thing, but could never get it to look right.  I spent some time yesterday watching a tutorial online from one of my favorite beauty bloggers and then worked on it for a bit.  I tried taking my own picture of it.  It's really hard taking your own picture in a mirror.  I took tons and they all looked ridiculous or my aim was so bad that I didn't even end up in the picture.  I finally decided to just let the camera be in the picture, so this is the best I got.  You can see the braid, but not much of my whole hair.  

When Mark got home he took this one so you can see the whole thing.  I really like the style because it gets my bangs out of the way.  I don't know what to do with them right now because I'm trying to grow them out.  Braid = Perfect Solution!  I have tried everything to get the picture to be centered, but no luck.  

I took this picture of Rosie and Mark before we left on our date.  I can't believe what a big girl she is.  Look how long that ponytail is getting!!!

Hunger is no game

I'm hungry.  I guess that will be my state for the next few months...the state of hunger.  I started back on MyPlate today, a site that my sister-in-law Melissa recommended that tracks caloric intake.  It's actually very easy to use and makes it very simple to document all of the food you eat.  I'm glad to be back on it because it really helps me to realize what I'm eating.   Before, I found myself snacking here and there all day long.  If I gave Rosie a snack, I would usually take a bite or two for myself.  Not anymore.  I now have to account for every calorie.  Hopefully, I will begin to see some quicker results now.  My goal is to shed two pounds a week.

I'm almost done with the project in Kiki's room.  Hopefully I'll have it completed by tomorrow.  I took a few pictures of the girls' rooms today and I thought I would share.  They didn't turn out super good, but it gives you an idea...

Kiki's Room 

 This is the wall that the project will be hanging on, so that lone painting will soon be elsewhere. 

 This is the mobile that we finally hung!  I love that the branch is from our backyard in Chicago.  It will always remind me of our time there.  

 This is the wall that was formerly "burnt sienna".  I like it so much more now!

Rosie's Room

 It's kind of a mess...That's what you get with a two-year-old.  

 I have a little project planned for this wall, too.  It may take a while, but I'll be sure to share.  Do you see the felt board and basket full of felts?  Those were a gift from Mom Murrill.  Monroe LOVES them!  I need to find a better storage system though. 

  

Goodbye Weekend, please come back!

I swear, it's as if I just blinked and my weekend is almost over.  Boo!!!  I sure wish it was longer.  It was a good one though, and also pretty productive.

Friday started out beautiful, so we decided to go on a little picnic at the park.  We got all ready to head out and as I was putting the girls into the van, our beautiful day turned ugly and it started to rain.  Instead of a picnic, we went to Subway and had lunch.  By the time we finished eating, the rain had stopped and we were able to spend a little while at the park.  That is, until the rain came back.  It was fun while it lasted, though.

Brynn-Brynn and Rose...That's what they call each other.  

So while we were at the park, Maria pointed out the cutest mom that was super skinny.  I looked at her in all seriousness and said, "We will get there soon, girl!" I said it just as my hand was bringing a Twizzler to my mouth.  We both started dying laughing, but it really was an "Ah-ha" moment.  If I'm going to change my body, I'm going to have to change my choices.  Ever since "30" happened, I can no longer just depend on exercise to help me loose weight.  This week my goal is to really watch my food choices.  Yes, indeed.

On Friday evening, after dinner at the Nudd's, we came home to relax.  I started working on a project for Kiki's room.  I hope it works out.  If it does, I'll be sure to take pictures.  We also cut Mark's hair.  It was super long.  I'm definitely not very good at cutting hair, but I did my best.

Here are a few pics from Friday night...

Not the most flattering pics, but I haven't posted one of all of us in forever.   

My sweet girls

We took a few funny pics before we started cutting.  I thought this one was sweet of him.  

Boy, was his hair LONG! 

I didn't take Kiki to Sabbath School because I hated to get her around other kiddos. She's doing so much better, but I wanted to be safe.  Mark took Rosie though, and we came later for church.  That evening, after lunch and naps, we thought it would be fun to go to the Asheville Mall.  I guess there was some sort of memo sent out, because it seemed like everyone and their brother was there.  We never go though (because it's a bit of a drive), so it was a fun treat.

 Keek's and Daddy on Sabbath afternoon. 

 So sweet!

Chowing down on Sabbath lunch.  She ate steamed broccoli, sauteed spinach, bread and spaghetti with meatballs.  She's such a good eater these days!

Today, I ran and did a little more shopping.  I also worked out at the gym.  This afternoon I ended up doing something I have wanted to do for a very long time.  I painted Kiki's room.  Not the whole thing, just the brown accent wall.  I really hated that accent wall.  I say it was brown, but really it was more of a burnt sienna, which everyone knows is the worst color in the crayon box.  The other three walls are a light creamy yellow, so I thought it would be the easiest to paint that wall the same color.  It looks so much better and bigger.  We also hung her mobile, which has been on our list for months, as well.  I meant to get pictures but Kiki's sleeping in there right now, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow.

While on the subject of Kiki sleeping, when I went to get her up from her nap on Friday, this is what I found...

Not only did she take off her pants somehow, but she was trying to find a way out of there.  She's nuts, that kid, but I sure get a kick out of her!

What a difference a day makes

So, I'm going to make this short.  Kiki's health is starting to improve.  Yesterday was a pretty rough day for all of us.  I mean "about to lose my mind" kind of rough, but thankfully, God sent me a wonderful day today.   He has a way of doing things like that!

I finished my book yesterday afternoon.  I couldn't wait and went and got book three last night.  I have to say, the second one got really good.  The third one is kind of starting like the second...a little slow, but I have no doubt that it will improve as well.

Tomorrow Mark and I are going on our belated Valentine's date!!!  I'm super excited.  We are going to eat (still deciding where) and to see "The Vow".  I can't wait to see it.  I saw an interview of the actual people the movie was written about and I think the whole idea is just so sweet.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Here are a few pictures I took today of the girls...

 Loving on her sissy!

 Rosie loves her scarves...actually, my scarves.

 Feeling a tiny bit better.

And, for good measure, a picture of my dinner.

My Weekly Pictures of Food

I've been delinquent again, but I have a good reason this time.  Poor Kiki has been really sick and when my baby is sick, I become consumed with worry.  I don't know what's wrong with me, but it's really debilitating.  Long story short, I took her to the doctor this morning and she has RSV and a really horrible ear infection.  We started her on antibiotics and hopefully she'll be as good as new in no time...hopefully, because I can't take much more of this worry!

Because of the really horrendous weather and Kiki being sick, we didn't end up doing the 5k, so I am kind of sad relieved about that.  Maybe next year.  Hopefully, by that time I'll be ready to do a 10k.  Whoa, whoa, whoa...I better not get ahead of myself.

I went through the pictures that I took over the weekend and I found that I only took pictures of food.  Yep, that's all, just food.  I have a problem.

I made some vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!  Actually, they really weren't vegan at all because I was out of vegan butter and had to use the real stuff, but the recipe was vegan:)  They were pretty good.  Instead of an egg, you use a banana.  That gave them kind of a different flavor, that I enjoyed.

I wanted to show you something I got that you might like...or you might hate.  If you like seltzer water, you are going to love this.  I always forget that I don't like mineral water and I get stuff like this.  I have to say though, this is the best I've had.  I love the coconut taste.

We've been eating a lot of spinach lately.  I keep buying it in bulk at Sam's and have to think of new ways to use it.  On Sunday I sauteed it and added it to pizza.  It was very good. 

I had kind of a setback on Sunday.  I had totally forgotten that I ordered these from a sweet little girl scout that came by a few weeks ago.  Of course she would show up to deliver just when I've decided to really buckle down on my eating habits.  I ate two...I really want to eat more.  I'm trying to will myself not to.   I'm not sure about the new name.  I liked them better when they were "Samoas".  Is that just me?

I started our book club book on Friday and I finished it on...Friday.  Yeah, it was that good.  I really enjoyed it.  It's not for everyone, though.  On Sunday, I got the second book in the series.  So far, I don't like it as well, but we'll see.  If you are just tuning in, this month's book is the "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins.

Today, I was watching Judge Judy and People's Court (my embarrassing guilty pleasures) and guess what I saw...

This made me laugh.  It's good to see that there are other Monroe's out there and that they are such upstanding citizens:)

Well, I'm pretty sleepy after Zumba and Yoga tonight.  I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow that don't involve food...I can't promise anything, though.  

Tea for Two

Kiki woke up in the night with a fever and Rosie was a little under the weather herself, so that meant another day at home.  Mark did come home at lunch so that I could run to the gym.  It was nice to be able to get out.  This afternoon, after naps and baths, the girls were in great moods.  They were having a blast playing "tea party" with each other and I thought I would snap a few pics.  

Drinking their tea after a good bath.

 I love the way they look at each other. 

 Kiki thinks Rosie hung the moon. 

 She may be sick, but she's still so sweet! 

  My sweet little flushed girlie. 

 Craning to see her sissy! 

 Hey guys! 

Rosie's freshly painted toenails.  This was our first go at this activity and she thought it was pretty awesome. She kept saying how pretty her toes were. 

This morning Rosie came in and told me she needed Ariel.  I told her that I thought it was in her room.  She looked at me and said, "No, I need more Ariels...from the store.  Can I borrow some money?"  Say what?!!!  

Happy Bow Downs Day!

Kiki had a rough night.  She had a bad cough and didn't sound too good.  Throughout the day she has started sounding better, so I'm so relieved.  Because of her being under the weather, we have stayed in all day.  We did have one treat...Jackie, Morgan and Ali came over this morning!  Rosie was beyond excited to have them and I was, too.  Kiki slept through the visit, but I'm sure she was excited, too:)

Rosie is not ready to let go of Valentine's day or as she call's it, "Bow Downs Day".  She loved it and thinks every day should include candy and new shoes.  I actually couldn't agree more.  Anyone else with us?!

The girls have so much fun playing together now.  I came in Kiki's room this morning to find Rosie standing beside her crib.  The two of them were laughing and smiling at each other.  So cute!  

We all took naps this afternoon and now we are just waiting on daddy to get home.  Pretty low key day in the Murrill home...just the way I like it. 

Romance, Our Way

Today flew by.  With all of the cooking, cleaning, etc., it was 6pm before I knew it.  I tried to get a few pictures of the girls in their Valentine's outfits, but that didn't go very smoothly.  They both ended up napping at different times, so I didn't get any cute ones together.  What a bummer!  Here's what I did end up getting...

Contemplative Rosie

We made hearts on a stick today.  She loved doing it.  

We see a lot of that tongue.

The best of them together...Yes, Rosie's finger is in Kiki's ear. 

This afternoon, I got inspired and decided to create a little Valentine's centerpiece for our table.  

  

Our menu for our dinner tonight was Dinner Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Banana Cream Pie.  So how many of you like brussel sprouts?  Now, don't you all raise your hands at once.  Don't worry, I didn't think I liked them either, until my little brother made them for Thanksgiving.  I always thought they were slimy and yucky, but you roast those little puppies and things get good...real good.  You add pomegranate seeds and things get even better.  Nobody told me that both brussel sprouts and pomegranates were such time consuming foods.  I had to watch two different tutorials to able to make the recipe!

 My pomegranate seeds after all of my hard work!

Yummy roasted brussel sprouts!  Don't knock them till you try them:) 

 

 The Romantic Table :)  

I mentioned that I love Valentine's.  We usually keep it pretty simple...dinner and small gifts.  Tonight was no different, but it just seemed extra special for some reason.  We laughed because, as romantic as our dinner was, Rosie was eating at her little table about a foot away from us.  Romance changes as you get older, but it's romance all the same.  

It was pretty cute.  Mark brought her table and one of her little chairs into the dining room and she dragged in the other chair and placed Elmo in it.  Apparently they were on a hot date, too.

I went pretty practical for Mark's gift this year, but it was something he really wanted--some nice pants for work.  I know it seems boring, but he really liked it.  I also always get him a bag of Haribo gummy bears.  It's his favorite.  Mark got me the best gift EVER!!!

The most amazing running shoes!  Aren't they great?!  Behind the shoes is the card he got me.  I've never gotten a card that big.  What's even cooler, is that he filled up the whole thing with a letter to me.  How sweet is that! 

Someone else got some cool shoes, too...

Now she can really play some hardcore basketball!  Daddy knows how to spoil his girls.

He also got her a huge Hershey's kiss and some stickers...

 She LOVED the chocolate kiss, although she only got to eat a few bites before she went to bed.  

Kiki got a little special present as well...

Kiki loves that little puppy!  

I made Mom Murrill's Banana Cream Pie recipe.  It is truly the best pie ever.  I never used to like Banana Cream until I tried this pie.  It's delicious!!! 

Mark and I are now settling down to watch a movie together.  Mark rented Midnight In Paris.  I'm excited to see it.  Happy Valentine's to you!!