for the first time in my life, I felt my age and then some

Saturday I took Sidney to see "Beauty & the Beast 3D" which led me to discover two startling truths:

1) 3D movies are the biggest ripoff of our time
2) Damn, I'm getting old.

I remember watching this same movie when it first came out, way back when I was a kid. Most of the time I feel pretty young for my age (which I have to think on and remember most of the time) and I enjoy the perks of being a young mom. It's been nice being in the younger bracket and I don't feel matronly, not that feeling matronly is a bad thing, it's just not a feeling I'm familiar with.

There have been several moments over the past year that have made me pause and think back on my own childhood; Sidney loves to play dress-up in all my old recital outfits, she loves to look through my yearbooks and see old pictures of me and Justin, and one of her teachers in Pre-K is a girl who graduated a year after I did. But there was just something about sitting there in the dark theater with my little lady that really hit me. I am the mom, she's the kid. I'm experiencing something my own mother experienced years ago. This is a moment in time repeating itself. And I just felt so motherly...and a little old.

I'm sure there are going to be more moments like this, where I look around at my life and realize where I am on my timeline. It's almost indescribable, but I hope to always see a smiling face like this one wherever I am in life.

hair be gone

I'm notoriously impulsive. It drives my husband crazy; I get it directly from my mother, which needless to say, worries me about my own children.

I get a wild hair and then I just do something, without another or second thought.

Like say for instance, my hair. I cut it. I dye it. I don't think about it. 'Til it's all said and done with and then I second guess. But, ho ho, it's too late for second guessing then. This is the way I live. It's how I roll.

My bangs were totally annoying me, so I said - "time to get them cut!" And I did. And because my bangs needed to be cut, I needed to cut all of my hair off lest I be left with a mullet. Not a good look for me, I assure you.

So now this is the hairdo I'm working, and it feels pretty amazing. I just hope my bud Cassie doesn't mind I won't have much hair for her wedding in a few months. That's one of those second guesses I had after I had it all cut off.

But I know one person who'll love it, my dear old husband. Gotta love a man that loves short hair on the ladies. It makes my impulsiveness so much easier to deal with. Short hair, FTW!  

come here, go there: link love

• Casey has a great post up about childbirth and the dreaded "N" word - I was moved. 
• I've mentioned Holly before, back when I featured honorable mention posts, and now I just have to send you to her site - she's the cutest little mama and baby #3 will be here any day! 
• I think the world is shocked to hear about Heather and Jon. 
• If only I could speak so eloquently about my girls the way Rebecca does about her twins - no one can touch her style of writing, no one. 
• I always leave Brittany's blog starving - she shares the best (and easiest and most down to earth) recipes! 
• Brandy needs some love - I miss her being happy and my heart is hurting for her. 
• Not only does Emma make delicious food, she's crafty, too! And I love her book reviews and suggestions. 

Other noteworthy stories:

• Obama kills SOPA -- never underestimate the power and the voice we have, online and in real life. 
• The cutest little DIY macaron coin purse -- I'd make one of these myself, but everytime I say the words, "coin purse" my mind just heads straight to the gutter. 
• America is awesome -- thanks to Sweetney for sharing! 

can you hear me all the way back in 1995?

I feel drunk, but I'm sober

I'm young and I'm underpaid

I'm tired but I'm working, yeah

{I was the ripe old age of seven when this song came out, but I can remember listening to it then and liking it. Now I listen to it and I love it. Story of my life right now brought into focus by a song from way back when, back when I was way too young to get it. Well, I get it now. Good god, do I ever get it.}

{Also, praise the Pandora gods - and who can I blame for not turning me on to this whole internet radio revolution earlier? I'm hooked. All the horribly wonderful bands from my youth are on constant demand: in the car, at home, at work. I've got stations dedicated to Westlife, Pearl Jam, Jewel, NSYNC, Tom Petty and more. It's unreal! Shame on you for not sharing with me before!}

lately

It's hard to get a good picture of all the jumping happening here! 

Happy sisters :)

My gal has style

McD's date

Quincy & Rhealen

My little model - the third picture down kills me! 

Bundled up - it's been super chilly here! 

Could she be any cuter? I think not. 

Waiting on the big sister to do her bathroom business! 

Every now and then we get a day warm enough to swing.