They are blogging

Recently some things in my life and my attitude have been brought to my attention. The words that this person used made me uncomfortable.

I think that source of discomfort is because someone spoke truth to me.

I need to ponder that truth. Spend time praying for God to help me see Him. Help me experience the joy He wants me to have. Help me to live the life He wants me to live.

So I'm going to be a bit quiet on this blog for a bit. Give me some time to ponder.

If you want to read some amazing blogs in the meantime, go here. Compassion has just sent a team to India. Their blogs are worth reading. God's love and hope come pouring off their pages.

He is working in India and it's totally worth reading about. You won't regret it.

Tough as enamel

Last night Zoe and I were playing. I had her pinned on the floor and the tickle bugs were getting her.

As she was laughing and snorting, I noticed she had a new molar. This is the first tooth that has followed remotely close to the actual schedule.

About a week ago I noticed she was eating her binkies, but did not want to suck on them. She had done that before when she was teething. No other signs indicated that she was in pain.

Yet, she has a whole, new tooth back there. I'm constantly amazed at how easy she is. She rarely cries, whines or complains. She's a go-with-the-flow girl. I feel so blessed because I honestly don't know how I'd do with any other kid.

After I noticed the tooth, we had a chat:

Me: Did you know you had a new tooth?
Zoe: No
M: Are you planning on getting any more?
Z: No
M: Did it hurt?
Z: No
M: Is that because you are one, tough cookie?
Z: 'kay!

I love that we can have conversations now.

It's a bird, it's a plane

This weekend was not just full of some purse cake action. N took the honey-please-do-list to heart. After a mere 2.5 hours, he had this up in the garage.

He put Zoe on it to see if it would hold 30 pounds. It totally did, although she was less than thrilled about the height.

We got a good portion of our garage cleared off the floor. Because we have a little fear about ceiling mounted things staying up, N and I checked on it no less than 612 times the rest of Sunday afternoon.

Each time we were totally impressed that it was still up.

Of course I have faith in N's handy work. Which is why I can't wait to see what he can do this weekend!

Purse Cakes

D & E came over this weekend. Because I like to always have something for them to make, my mom suggested we try purse cakes. Basically you make a round cake, cut it in half, put some frosting on one half and make a sandwich. Then instead of laying it down on the plate, you stand it up so it makes a half moon. You know, a purse cake.

Because all of our girls enjoy anything cake, candy, dessert related, I decided it sounded perfect.

D & E had soccer games Saturday morning, so Zoe and I stayed home to make some cakes. Zoe loves all things that involve cracking eggs and taste testing.

If you can't tell, the batter was totally delish and edible.

After dinner on Saturday night, we decided to decorate our purse cakes. I bought Runts, Good & Plenty, M&M's, Puker Ups and gum drops. All the makings for great purse design.

Zoe was more into eating the M&M's and then shoving some down into the purse. After all, what good is a purse if you can't fit very much into it. Plus, the farther you stuck your finger down, the more frosting that came out.

E was trying to decide on some creative way to make a rainbow out of Runts. It's a tough process.

D was more methodical. She counted out Puker Ups in exact amounts per color to achieve her rainbow design.

We used some licorce for the handles. Here is the finished products:

Zoe couldn't be bothered with posing with all the frosting to be eaten.

The handbag section of Casa de la Custer. Tres chic.

Friday Five Faves - Vol 6

I've been a little lax in the FFF department this year. I wish I had some grand excuse, but I don't.

In an effort to redeem myself, I thought I'd get at least one more in before we're completely done with April.

This week I've been loving mail order. We had three packages arrive while we were at work. It was like coming home to Christmas in April. If you bought the gift for yourself and knew exactly when it was arriving.

We got N's saddlebags on Monday.

1) Yesterday we got my new favorite garage item EVAR: ceiling mounted storage. It's on the honey-please-do list for the weekend.

The picture is a little weird because they are actually upside down in the foyer and I was just too lazy to flip them before I took the picture. So I just flipped the picture. Laziness folks. It's a gift of mine.

2) The only thing I love more than buying clothes for myself is buying clothes for Zoe. The best part is that she's still at the age where she'll wear what I put on her. Although I must say, the opinions are already starting. She won't wear just any shoe with just any outfit.

This week I had some Gymboree bucks that I had to use. I got all this for 50% off.

Welcome summer. Zoe will be so darling.

3) The last Jumpers class. While I think Zoe is the cutest girl EVAR in her leotard, the class is actually exhausting. For 30 minutes we are both jumping, rolling and balancing. I'm not going to lie, I'm completely out of shape. After 30 minutes of a 2 year old's gymnastics class, I'm ready for a hot tub and bed.

After the first week we got a new teacher. I'm not really fond of her. She insists that Zoe stretch before we start. If you've ever met a 2 year old, stretching really isn't in their vocabulary. I figure since they can touch their toes, climb all over furniture and like to sleep all contorted, they're pretty much ready, muscle wise, for all things gymnastic at time of the day or night. Zoe hated stretching. It would take a good 10 minutes of the 30 minute class to calm her down.

After all the crying, hopping, balancing and rolling, I was pretty much ready for the stamp on Zoe's hand. I actually think I should get one too, but I don't want to be too pushy. It's one of Zoe's favorite parts too. She will show everyone her stamp.

4) N. He is working so hard going through school and working full-time, that I know he's exhausted by the weekend. Yet he takes time to play with Zoe, work in the yard and clean the tubs. During the week, he frequently tells me how much he appreciates me. Honestly, I have no idea how I got so blessed.

I don't even think all that mushiness and willingness has anything to do with getting saddlebags this week. He actually fells all that mushy stuff. I guess I'm doubly blessed!

5) Zoe's thought process. I honestly can't wait for the next stage where she's talking and telling me all her ideas. I have a feeling I'm going to be in stitches most of the time.

On the way to the car from gymnastics, she was starting to get a bit whiny. Then she noticed some birds and the gondolas overhead and briefly forgot about all the required stretching that made her upset. As I was putting her in the car, she realized she had stopped whining and started to cry. You have to make up for the brief moment of non-whining.

As we were driving out of the parking spot I noticed she was still crying, but she had found a tissue and was wiping her eyes as she cried.

I have no idea where she gets it.

That's pretty much my week in a nutshell. I think they just keep getting better.

Have a good weekend all. Hope it's full of sunshine, spring weather and no required stretching.

He's got bags and he knows how to use them

Since the sun has been peeking out from time to time, that means a certain male in our house is revving his engine.

The asphalt under is speeding under his tires, the wind whips his cheeks and he has to avoid the roadkill that comes with this time of year. He claims to have eaten fur last week on his way home. I saw some remnants on the highway the next morning and it was then I vowed not to kiss him until he bleached his face.

Part of me is equally excited to strap on my helmet and hold onto N for dear life. It's a way to bond with him that I love.

Now that he has work and school, he has to pack quite a bit with him in the mornings. Because he's been working so hard and actually had some overtime, he was able to get some saddlebags.

Honestly I think he was more excited to see those babies on the dining room table than he was to see me walking down the aisle. I think he actually may kiss them each morning before he sets off on the open road, but I can't be sure.

Zoe loves them too. It's a great place for her snacks, Mickey and a ball. All things that are totally important when you're 2 and sit on the bike, in the garage with your mom and kiss the baby in those little mirrors.

I guess N got two things this week: sweet saddlebags and some kiss marks from Zoe.

She's a total slave driver

In an effort to include Zoe in all our outdoor activity, we bought her a shovel, a wheelbarrow, a rake and a watering can. All smaller versions of mine. Which actually make them adorable.

I figured if I was planting, Zoe would get her shovel and help me.

I was right, she totally wants to help. The problem is that I cannot sit down in the backyard and watch her play. She brings me my tools. She insists that I work in the yard every single second that I'm out there.

My beds have never looked better.

Because I'm forced to work all the time, I have ideas about the beds now. Grand ideas. Like I want to move loads of bark out, loads of dirt in and create a play area for Zoe. That last one is in hope that I might be able to get some rest outside when the weather is seriously nice.

Zoe's cleaned out area. She has her rake. Apparently my bark moving abilities are sub-par.

The other bed. That still needs to be cleared and plants and roses need to be transplanted.

The water table that is great for cleaning off her tools. Not for actual water play.

The slave driver herself. How do you say no to that face?