*a*Quiet*moment*

Imagine this...

Leopard PJ's - gentle music playing in the back sung by the amazing Michael Buble' - tortilla chips and hot salsa - and the rest of the house sleeping. Oh what a lovely and blissfully peaceful night. I wish I didn't live in swamp land so I could open the windows and listen to the crickets chirping - or whatever sound crickets make! Ha!...

So, I'm not quite sure what to write tonight. Hopefully I'll just have words flow from my head to the tips of my fingers in a creative humorous fashion - but don't get your hopes up!

*****RANDOMNESS*****

I enjoy lounging around my house in capri pants and t-shirts with no makeup on. Why do women insist on makeup? Now don't get me wrong, there are some women who desperately - desperately need to come in some kind of contact with the stuff, but for the most part natural beauty exceeds the beauty found in a bottle. As I was watching some television tonight I couldn't stop feeling sorry for the next generation that is growing up in the world...even for my very own daughter. There are no kudos given to the natural beauty of a woman. I hope to teach my daughter that she should love the skin she's in! That no matter what the rest of the world says, as long as she is beautiful inside, it will undoubtedly overflow to her physical appearance. I don't want her to grow up ashamed of what she looks like in any way - or to want to look like someone else. I want her to love every little thing about herself. And will vow to make sure that she will always feel beautiful!

Don't you absolutely HATE it when everyone has an opinion? Everyone that knows nothing about what is really going on? I do! With a passion. It drives me CRAZY when people put their two cents into situations that they know NOTHING ABOUT! ARG! If you haven't noticed - I am venting - and enjoying it. I cannot stand when people that should be your allies through life can so easily stab you in the back. When your biggest support group IS your weakest link. When the only people in the world you should really trust you can't. You can't trust them because they are only out for themselves. It's sad when a family is equivalent to a rat-race. That's what I am reminded of when I think of this certain situation. They are supposed to be each other's strength...and from an outsiders perception (and perception only) they seem to enjoy bringing each other down. Down as far as they can get them. Down until they feel like they are drowning the other, and then watch them beg for help to catch a breath. I have never seen people act like such vicious animals. It's sad. I want the best for my own - my blood. I want them to succeed in EVERYTHING that they do...I want them to love me back. I have never seen people not care about blood - their own blood for that matter. Apparently that saying, "Blood is thicker than water" does not apply to them. It's awful. Sorry for depressing you - life is short - they should try to understand that!

I miss my sister Loni. It's funny. We really never got along growing up - and then I got married - and then BOOM! we got so close. I love that we can share everything. She makes me laugh and smile every time I talk to her. She leaves me song messages on my phone. I am so grateful for her. All of my life (and for the rest of my life) I have been the older sister...the one that was always trying to set the good example for her. Always trying to be her role model - even though it got under my skin when she would copy me as kids! - but now, in our adulthood (if we are even really adults) I look up to her. I admire the woman that she has become. I look to her example and go to her for advice now. It's funny how roles change in life. How we go from being the one who is depended on - to depending on the other. I think besides my father and mother, I am her biggest fan. Ever. Even more than Alexis - and for those of you that don't know Alexis - that's a big ole fan! She is an amazing woman. I know that the man that ends up with her is going to be one lucky guy - and if ever he hurts her - I will kill him!

*****UPDATES & EXCITING NEWS*****

Alrighty! On to brighter things! Well - I am teaching myself to play my guitar. It's so super fun. My fingers hurt. Donnie plays with me too. When I am done practicing he says, "Good job, mama! Donnie's turn!" I would like to tell all of you aspiring guitar players out there - it's alot harder then what it looks like!

I got a tan! YEAH! I am usually pretty much a pastie white girl - but thanks to the beach and my faithful stand-up tanning bed, I am looking dark! I must say, that I really love tanning. Yes I know, I'm gonna get skin cancer - blah, blah, blah! But at least I look good while getting it! Jokes!

Brooks' last day at the office is this coming Friday. Do we know what we are going to do next, well...just call and I'll fill you in. Anyways...we are grateful for the journey that it was and the lessons that were learned. Good and bad. What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger - and well frankly, by the end of all of this we will be some tough cookies! Life's more than hard - but that's why we've got to be sincerely intense about succeeding in all that we do!

*****THE MINI-REECES PIECES*****

I love them. They are amazing. They are the reason I breathe everyday. They are my heart and my whole soul. I hope that I can raise them to be respectful sincere God-fearing adults. They truly light up my whole life. I am more than grateful to be their mommy!

Donnie is such a big boy! He does everything with mommy and daddy! He often helps to feed the baby - and what a good job he does! He loves his baby sister - or his "sweetheart" as he has been recently calling her. Every morning he wakes up a happy boy! Every single morning! He no longer fights us to go to sleep. That's only because he plays so hard until he is just going to tip right over. He is such a joy to have in my life. I think that he and I will be pretty tight while he grows up...or at least I hope so.

Lyla Alana is GORGEOUS! I don't know how else to describe her! Let's see...here are some other words to describe her - *PERFECTION*BUBBLY*SWEETHEART*CUDDLE BUG*PERFECTION*FLAWLESS*FUNNY*BEAUTIFUL*PERFECTION - Did I mention that I thought she was pretty much perfect? She loves - loves - loves her big brother. She always looks for him so that he can make her laugh. Oh, and speaking of her laugh...it's darling! It's hilarious! I've got to video tape for you guys!

Here are some recent pictures of my gorgeous babies. Enjoy!

They absolutely love bath time! And what is bath time without SOAPY MOHAWKS?!

*****SPIRITUAL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK*****

"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone..."

We should all remember that there is not one among us that is perfect. And if we blame or accuse others of anything, maybe we need a self-evaluation. None of us are perfect - but isn't that why we are here in the first place? All of us have flaws and say things that offend others, but becoming offended is a choice...so I would say that each of us needs to remember the times we were not the most perfect - and CHILL OUT on everyone else! Okay - I'm done!