Spontaneity {Sea World}

If you know anything about you, you know that I'm a planner. I plan EVERYTHING...But I'm attempting to learn the beauty and excitement of being spontaneous. As a result, over Labor Day weekend I suggested an impromptu road trip to San Antonio for a little visit to Shamu. While we had a great time at Sea World we didn't really like San Antonio too much (too many people with no southern manners!).

It was also great that DJ got the opportunity to speak with one of the trainers at Sea World! He aspires to be a marine mammal trainer one day so he asked what he needed to study in college to make that happen! We also found out that Sea World has a summer camp for kid who love marine biology...Just like DJ :)

All in all we had a wonderful, spontaneous trip!

Fancy

Evan is fancy. She loves nail polish, shoes, and (as of recently) wearing her hair down. Now, this poses a MAJOR problem because when she wears her hair down it gets super tangled and almost impossible to comb through without a fight.

I'm still pulling together some courage to attempt to cornrow her hair, so I tried a two-strand twist until then.

It didn't take very long, and with an iCarly marathon on Nick Evan stayed still and compliant. I'm not sure that I used the proper oil (I think I need something a bit more sticky), but I don't think it turned out too bad. Don't think it'll last very long though!

Lake Titans {Football}

For the past two weeks the boys have spent four days a week at football camp for the Lake Titans. Originally, only DJ was supposed to play, but after a couple of days watching his brother practice Cameron couldn't take it any more, and wanted to join too!

I have to say that I was pretty nervous about the boys playing tackle football, but it has actually been really good for them! They are both showing more maturity and are getting along better. I also enjoy going to their practices. It seems that I'm becoming quite the southern football mom.

We also recently celebrated Dj's 9th birthday, and because we don't have any family here we planned a nice birthday dinner with make your own pizzas, cupcakes, and ice cream sundaes!

Wow! What a Year! {The List}

My 31st birthday is tomorrow, so I figured that this would be a perfect time to revisit THE LIST and the progress I've made on it this past year. July 1st was also our anniversary of arriving in Louisiana, so it's an opportune time for reflection all away around.

I've made really good progress on my list. All in one year I've moved south, bought a new home, gotten a promotion (THE SHELF), and learned a lot about myself. I think I'm in love with being in my 30s and this has been possibly the best year yet!

As I look at the list today, there are things that definitely need revising. #11, #19, #20 are things that I no longer have any desire to do. Writing is the furthest thing from my mind right now, wearing red lipstick is just not who I am, and going to MI (up North or otherwise) gives me a headache. In the next few weeks I'm going to be revising this list so that it reflects who I am now.

35 before 35


1. own my own home (again)



2. spend my anniversary on a beach



3. finish my masters degree (DONE DONE DONE DONE!!!!!)



4. get THE SHELF



5. put THE SHELF in an office of my own



6. relocate to the South



7. decorate my living room



8. have a real dinner party



9. learn to French braid (Still room for improvement on this one ;)



10. make Thanksgiving dinner (Wasn't Thanksgiving, but I did make Damon a "Christmas" dinner, so I think this counts)



11. finish that third novel



12. take my kids to Disney World



13. go out on New Years Eve



14. celebrate homecoming at TSU



15. “Would Ya Like it” in the rain



16. Have date night once a week



17. Visit Washington DC



18. have a picnic with wine and cheese



19. wear red lipstick



20. go Up North



21. grow a plant



22. make a cake for a loved one’s birthday



23. restore a piece of furniture



24. attend a Broadway play (does not have to be in NY, although that’s a bonus)



25. get rid of all unnecessary debt



26. eat healthier



27. answer the question, “What’s wrong?” honestly, the first time.



28. institute a new family tradition



29. take a cooking class



30. Find the perfect school for Cameron



31. Learn to let go



32. Invest in great pics of the kids



33. Learn a new language



34. Renew my wedding vows



35.

We have been in our home a little over two weeks now and WE LOVE IT!

And although it occured to us AFTER we moved in that we don't have linen closets and the builders gave us sooo many problems with our sod, things have been going relatively smoothly. I was in full indoor decor mode when our SUV broke down and we had to get a new car.

Needless to say I have put the breaks on buying stuff for the house for a few weeks.

Since I posted last we visited Detroit... both Cameron and Evan took private swim lessons with one of the kinder teachers from my school, and we're just working on enjoying our summer before we are required to return to the daily grind. Pretty soon DJ will be starting his first season in tackle football, too.

Audubon Zoo {New Orleans}

This Saturday, we took an impromptu drive down to New Orleans to visit the Audubon Zoo. When we first arrived in Louisiana last July we bought an Audubon Institute Membership but only got around to visiting the aquarium. We didn't know what we'd been missing! The Audubon Zoo is fantastic! It's full of great animals, a splash park, Dinosaur Adventure, snowball (Louisiana version of a snow cone) stands, and plenty of greenery to keep all the visitors and animals cool on all our HOT Louisiana days! The best part of this zoo is the live animal discussions. The zoo keepers come out to feed the animals and you get up close and personal with the wildlife. DJ, Cam, and Damon all touched an elephant and we all got SUPER close to a giraffe. The zoo keepers answer questions, too! If you're ever in the area it's definitely a MUST DO!

In other news...

The end of the school year is upon us!!! Damon, DJ, and Cam are all done on Monday and I'm finishing the year out on Tuesday. Both boys had a great school year making lots of friends and earning honor roll awards. DJ even earned a Leadership award and a Physical Fitness award signed by the President! We're proud parents :0)

On Thursday we'll be packing up and heading the 1,000+ miles to visit friends and family in Detroit. We're only staying for about a week because when we return we have to pack up and get ready to move.

Getting Close {House Progress}

If you're my friend on Facebook, you've seen the almost daily picture updates on the house! We spoke with the builders agent recently and she stated that the hosue is ahead of schedule and we will probably be able to close 10 days early!! Anywho...Here's an update for all my non-FB friends

Exterior Colors

The House is really coming along! I know I haven't updated the blog with pics in a while, but they'll be posted shortly. The builders are really working hard on the exterior {Hardy Plank, Stucco, Brick, and exterior paint}

Here's a sneak peak of the exterior colors we chose way back when...

Sherwin Williams Adaptive Shade

The Hardy Plank along the sides and back of the house

Sherwin Williams Cajun Red

Front doors (main door and balcony)

Sherwin Willams Nuance

Stucco Color

Sherwin Williams Enduring Bronze

Shutters and Garage Door