If These Walls Could Talk ...

I've decided to start a new "segment" to my blog!

To me, my life feels very ordinary and unexciting, which is why I have such a hard time coming up with things to post. But I'm going to challenge myself to take pictures of the everyday, normal things that happen around our house, and share them.

Please note: Most of these photos will NOT be photographically perfect! In fact, they may be downright awful (GASP!) in terms of composition, exposure, etc. etc. But you know what? They're snapshots ... they're memories ... they're LIFE!! :) And I love my life!


If these walls could talk ...

they would tell you about the mess Ella makes at every single mealtime, and how Ben and I try to outsmart each other on who gets stuck cleaning her up.



If these walls could talk ...

they would have you take a seat to watch one of the 10 or so "shows" that Avery puts on for us each day. She is better than Cher ... more acts, more costume changes, lots of stage presence!



If these walls could talk ...

they'd tell you how Ella really got into listening to my (or I guess I should say Avery's) ipod and loved jamming to the kid-friendly music ... in one ear only.



If these walls could talk ...

you would learn about Avery's awesome imagination, and how she has turned her cozy coupe car into a space shuttle!



If these walls could talk ...

they would ask you why in the world is it that when little toddlers find clean underwear, they always put it on their heads??

Filling My Tank

On Christmas morning Ben said, "Your present is that I'm taking the girls to Grapevine at the end of January to give you a break." Like a crazy woman, my first reaction was not ecstasy. I guess it was because my whole life revolves around those three people, and I wasn't sure what do do without them.

Fast-forward several weeks. I cried ... hard ... as they left. Like I said, I'm a crazy woman, I guess. It took all my willpower to let them go.

And then ... presto! I heard they arrived safely and all was well in the world! I had three amazing days of rest, uninterrupted work, beautiful weather, girl time. (Seriously, "Christina Conklin" hasn't laughed that hard in forever. And just so we won't forget it, girls: "To ancient times and distant music!" "Yodelay...he...hoo!" Wasn't that just soooo healing for the soul?)

Aside from the quiet time, the best part was that Ben hired a cleaning crew to come over the first day they were gone. So not only did I get a spotless house that I didn't have to clean, but it stayed that way for three whole days!!!!

It's so funny how something that I really thought I was dreading could turn into such a gift. (Oh, and just so you know, I could turn this statement into an analogy for some of life's circumstances ... but I won't this time!)

As I type now, they are on their way home. But thanks to my wonderful, generous husband, my tank is refilled and I am ready to take on life again. (Now, poor Nemaw's tank right now is probably another story!)