There is a 1st time for everything...

...and for Layla this past weekend, it was roller skating!

The below two pictures crack me up!!!!  When Layla's face screams "Weeeeeeee!!!!!  Fun times!!!!" Richard's face looks worried.  And when Layla looks worried.....daddy is all "Weeeeee!!!!!  Fun times!!!" 

So, it was probably most certainly somewhere in the middle.  It was fun.  But, let's face it - roller skating takes some skill.  And practice.  So after about 5 minutes of skating, it was then off to the...

Scooter races!  Ha.  I love that this rink let the kids bring in scooters or lil riders. 

I'll admit, roller skating did NOT come back to me as easily as I would have imagined.  I mean...I did roller skate almost every Friday and Saturday of my middle school years, for Heaven's sake!  Those pesky few years that snuck in between robbed me of my skills.  Those few years....hahahahaha!  Well that, and that lil boy you see in the pic.  He was out to destroy me!  I don't even know who he is....but he was hell bent on running me over.  Why!?!  I'd like to know too....

Of course Richard was all, "I am so cool.  Not only can I still skate fast and steadily, but I can also skate backwards and talk on the phone.  I am cool!"  What the hell!?! 

So.not.fair!  He has a free ride and I get to rally with this lil one...

I know you see my mad skills above....do you see my feet!?!  I was turning around because I felt him on my heels...he was ruthless.  I am not lying.  He was having a ball, that's for sure!

Look!  He is patiently waiting....TO ATTACK ME AGAIN!!!!

Skating on...ha!  We were there to celebrate the 4th birthday of a dear friend, Miss Jacquelyn.  Isn't she just a lil doll?!  I love her to pieces. 

It was an ice cream social party.  And it was a hit! 

As were her sweet roller skates!  Lovin' the pom poms...

1-2-3-4....make a wish!!!!

{all images via my new Nikon D3100 - I love it!}

It's okay to be OFF sometimes

I needed to read this today.  Maybe you need to as well? 

my baby is in the new issue of Babiekins Magazine!

I love "flipping" through the pages of Babiekins Magazine.  Priscila, the powerhouse behind this fun, spunky, delightful and inspirational online magazine is a fabulous lady!  So fabulous, in fact, she featured little miss red head herself in the latest issue...out NOW!

Click here to check out the entire issue.  It is so much fun, pinky promise. 

Or click here to see what she and her awesome counterparts did for my lil cherry!

I just love it.  Thank you ladies. 

Life is L.O.V.E.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

So love the people who treat you right.

Forget about the ones who don't.

Believe everything happens for a reason.

If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.

If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. 
 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  Hugs and kisses to you...

{all images via}

Manic Monday - Valentine's Day 2011

Don't forget to love yourself.

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~ Soren Kierkegaard

Time for Transition

I am not a completely open book for all to read here on my blog.  Most of the time I just put the happy, fun, funny or family related things on here.

Truth is I build walls.  Fast.  And they are usually very strong and hard to break down. 

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And I have been building a lot of them lately.  As my self defense.  So I don't hurt.  Or so I can't be hurt as bad.  So that I am strong.  So when something or someone hits me (figuratively) - the wall takes the blow.  It may crumble a bit.  But, not my heart.  Not my soul.  Not my being.  Even though I am still trying to figure out WHO that being is.  And where I belong.

I have always been very protective of myself.  Of my feelings.  I am even protective of my family and my friends.  No one likes their feelings hurt.  But, it happens.  And it happens when people don't even mean to do it.  So, I just like to stay prepared.  So I build tall, strong walls. 

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Perhaps the above quote is true.  Time will tell. 

I have been vague in my personal relationship with the man I have loved since 1995.  Because this is not his blog, not our blog, he did not ask to be a part of it, so out of respect, I kept his appearances to a minimum. 

But, today I get honest.  Today I put it out there.  No turning back once this is posted.  Once it is written.  It is what it is.  This is my blog and I am choosing to write about my feelings today.  They just so happen to be tied to him. 

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 Together we have been through hell and back.  And God blessed us with a beautiful baby girl in 2007.  I will always love him for helping me bring that blessing to me.  Always.  What a gift!?  My love for him will always be here.  Within me.  Hidden behind those tall, tough walls I constructed. 

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We always had a great friendship, relationship, companionship and commitment.  We always made eachother laugh.  It worked for us.  For a long time, I might add.  Remember I said 1995.  But, lately, things just are NOT working.  Not clicking.  It's more like clashing!  On an all too often basis.  It has turned unhealthy.  For all involved. 

And I will not let Layla believe and see that conflict is an acceptable way of life.  Even though conflict is very much apart of our everyday world.  Here and abroad.  But, it it does not belong in a loving home environment.  I also understand and agree that disagreeing and having arguments is a healthy part of life.  If done fairly.  But, enough is enough.  I can't REFUSE to live this way any longer. 

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Believe me....I have tried.  Hard.  So so very hard.  For probably much too long.  So, when I say lately...it really is more like years.  I don't give up easily.  I have fought and fought.  For us.  For him.  For our lil family.  But, I have done all my spirit will allow me to spare....

{via}

So now is the time.  I am reclaiming my happy spirit.  My complete and whole happy spirit....

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 ....now I am ready.....it is time for transition. 

{via}

Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.

~ Joseph Campbell

It's official....I'm Bonnie!

So where is my Clyde!?!  Ha.  I can't count on the other one right now. ;-)

Okay, ya'll!  I am about to get real.  Real serious. 

{for the record, my .38 special looks just like that}

I obviously have a serious issue with thumbing my nose at the law.  Again, like earlier in the week, I am no criminal with regard to breaking into houses, or cars, or hurting people!  No, that's not my M.O. 

I speed.  I roll through stop signs.  I confess, I sometimes don't use a blinker.  Even though it is a royal pet peeve of mine, but I digress. 

Yesterday - I straight up did not heed the advice of Mr. Police Officer.  There was a MAY-JAH back up off of my exit from I-10, which is a HUGE highway through Houston, Texas.  You see, we were having rolling black outs once again because the temps are frigid here.  And apparently they are running.out.of.elec.tric.ity?  Huh?!

Anyway - the traffic lights were completely out....so you have to treat them like a four way stop.  Yeah, that's all fine and dandy except when at least hundreds and hundreds of cars are in front of you....UGH!  The last time this happened at this intersection...it took me OVER AN HOUR!  No lie.  To turn a block.  No lie.  Completely ridiculous.  Wasn't gonna happen yesterday. 

So, I had a splendid idea to turn into Methodist Hospital parking lot and go over to Park Row Lane, which is flowing like fresh running water.  Terrific idea....

Okay, not so great idea.  I approach an officer who flags me to roll down my window. 

Me:  "I am just making my way over to Park Row, sir...."  **smile smile, bat my eyes*
Officer:  "Sorry ma'am, that's why I am here.  You will need to do a U-turn."
Me:  "Really?!"  **batting my long lashes and flashing a sweet smile**
Officer:  "I know, I am really sorry, but everyone will start doing that!"
Me:  "Okay."  **with an ugly, you suck look on my face**

I pull up like I am about to U-turn.  And I really was going to U-turn, but then I saw him pretty wrapped up in other cars that pulled up behind me.....

So, what did I decide to do? 

Make sure he ain't looking and skiiiiirrrrrtttt right through the parking lot and hit Park Row going about 50 to nothing....fantastic!  Now we are rollin'....

Then what do I see?

Yep, red and blue lights flashing behind me.  Grrrrrreat!!!!  Here I go again....

So, I jump outta the car....

Me:  "Officer, I am sorry.  **using my quick thinking motherly skills**  But, I have a 3 year old that has to go to the bathroom.  And the last time this happened, we were stuck on that corner for over an hour!!!" 

Officer:  "Ma'am, I have kids too.  You should have just told me that.  Go about your way....."

Me:  "Thank you SO much!  I am really sorry...."  **thinking if I should ask for his number 'cause mister mister is fiiiiiine** 

But, I keep it moving. 

Remind me again.  I am Meli Faif. 

But....am I becoming a Bonnie!?!