Guinea Pig Slayers

You may remember that Abigail acquired her first pet, a guinea pig named Princess, for her 5th birthday. These animals have an average 5-7 year lifespan so I thought we would have Princess for quite some time. That wasn't the case. In a terrible week when my sister's dog Snoodles drowned, we found Princess didn't even make the first year of that 5-7 year lifespan.

Not wanting to replace Princess too quickly, we didn't run out to the pet store immediately. A few months later, we finally let her pick out a new guinea pig, named Rocky (she picked up on our geographic pet-naming tradition and used our town, Round Rock).

After a thorough sanitizing, Rocky made her home in Princess' old cage. However, I recommended that we replace all the leftover food, hay, water bottle, food bowl, etc. Since we didn't know what had brought about Princess' early demise, I didn't want to take a chance that it was a sickness that could be passed on to Rocky. Daniel dismissed me. Did you hear that?! He dismissed me. Hrmph!

Fast forward a couple of days to a big "I told you so." Huge "I told you so." We were back at the pet store, again. So, let me introduce you to Rocky II. We've had her a few months so hopefully we won't have another guinea pig to introduce you to in the near future. This one looks like she'll make it! And, the new food, water bottle, bowl, etc., may have helped her make it longer than the first Rocky.

Home on the Range

A few weeks ago we had the privelege to attend a Sunday School social at our teachers' home. They have a beautiful homestead in the country. The land is currently covered with gorgeous wildflowers, and the kids relished the chance to run free over the Hugghins' property.











We had begun a study of the 10 Commandments in class the morning of this gathering. But, as I told our teachers, I was so glad we hadn't covered "Thou shall not covet" yet because I was so jealous of their land. It's just beautiful! It was all the encouragement we needed to keep socking away our money for a place in the country some day. I can't wait!

Hook 'Em Horns

My parents were here for a visit over the weekend, and Dad and I took in a Longhorn softball game. I wish there was more time for seeing Longhorn games, because it's always so much fun. Not only did the Horns run-rule #7 Oklahoma State, but the crowd was also fun. Longhorn fans do not disappoint.


This woman was in head-to-toe longhorn gear. I can appreciate her UT allegiance, but you won't find me with a BEVO head any time soon.


Another BEVO-head was also in attendance. These people must be serious about rooting on the Longhorns!


This is an easy way to tell that the game was a success! Freshman pitcher Blare Luna kept the strike-outs coming.


Needless to say, we had fun. Hook 'em Horns!

Slumber Party

Abigail crossed a rite of passage last week with her first sleepover. Her best friend Morgan spent the night with us Saturday night, and the girls had a blast!


We started off with Abigail's birthday dinner (a week early but her only chance to celebrate with Morgan) at Chuy's. Thank goodness we've progressed from Chick-fil-a and Chuck E. Cheese birthday dinners!


The girls spent the evening in princess nightgowns and pretending to get married.


Sunday morning we all headed to church, and I decided this would be a good tradition. I know Abigail loved having Morgan spend the night, but I loved having a chance to take Morgan to church with us. I want the kids' friends to always know that our family loves God and wants to share that with them.

Let's Go Shopping!

Mother's Day is almost here and I must share one of my new shopping loves if you are looking for gift ideas. Holly K Designs makes awesome jewelry and beautiful decorative wall crosses.




This set is one I gifted to Maggie that I absolutely adore! When I ordered it, I asked Holly to design a full set based on the USC logo and school colors. She did not disappoint with this necklace, bracelet, earrings and ring.


For my own birthday last month, my mother-in-law gave me this garnet wall cross. It's so cute with a textured base and bronze leather covered cross inset bordered by marbles.


Also for my birthday, my sister gave me this leopard and marble cross. I was surprised that the crosses were so large and can't wait to see them on my walls.

Not only is Holly super talented, but she's also Daniel's cousin, and I love being able to support family members who are talented. She just recently released a new large line of jewelry you can see here and here. Happy shopping!

Birthday Bonanza

This past weekend was birthdy weekend, and the celebration was so fun! As usual, we didn't have a party but just a few days of complete Abigail spoiling. I gave her a choice this year, and she still picked our usual birthday bonanza. Thank goodness! It's so much more fun to drag it out over a few days than have just a few hours of crazyness at a bowling alley or Chuck E. Cheese.


On Friday she was able to wear this birthday outfit I grabbed on Etsy a few months ago. How can you not love that adorableness?!

After a long day of big activities at school, especailly birthday cupcakes in her class, Aunt Kelly, Gran and Grandad came to celebrate with us.


Aunt Kelly made sure she had a chocolate cake, but the sparkler candles required some help to extinguish.


All things Barbie were the theme of the gifts, and she couldn't have been more excited.



She made a haul with a new Barbie doll and car and a huge Pottery Barn dollhouse on Friday night. The party carried over into Saturday morning when Daddy got home from work. For some reason, I have no pictures of that, but it was just as fun. She got plenty of new swimming gear, Tinkerbell make-up, binoculars that she had been begging for (She says she wants to be a bird watcher), and a gorgeous new bed. you may recall that we redecorated her room for her fifth birthday, but never did find a suitable headboard. This gorgeous, scrolly, white iron bedframe is perfect. And, she calls it a princess bed! What more can a pretty princess ask for?!

Rainbow Cupcakes

When I couldn't find a cute cupcake or cookie idea to use for Abigail's birthday treats in her classroom, the birthday girl came to the rescue. She found a great idea in one of my magazines and made a special request.


I took the easy way out with a boxed cake mix for the batter. Split the batter up into six smaller bowls and add food coloring.


I couldn't help but think the batter was pretty enough on its own.


The painstaking part was layering each color of batter in the baking cups without mixing the colors but still making sure they are spread out across the whole layer.


They turn out so cute, even before being iced!

Yummy buttercream icing as a cloud topping the rainbows finished the treats.


Of course, it was time consuming but seeing Abigail's eyes huge with awe Friday morning made the last night/early morning all worthwhile. I don't think this will be the last time these rainbow treats make an appearance at our home.