Someone blow that baby dust on ME already...

Is it just me or did I totally get left out the latest super-wave of little souls being sent down from above? I'm sure everyone has noticed that there have been hundreds of growing bellies walking around among us. It's become very easy for a girl to feel left out! I'm starting to feel like the nerdy girl in high school who only desires that pair of really expensive jeans so that she can fit in with the cool crowd. Only in this case it's 'genes' not jeans... Lame, I know. But finally being married after long hiatus, my ever aging interior, and with 9 years now separating potential siblings...I'm freakin' ready already! I KNOW good things come to those who wait...but at the risk of sounding too Veruca Salt-ish...I have to say, "I want one NOW". I'm drinking the same water everyone else seems too be; especially at church - I'm living at that water fountain. I must not be doing well enough with what I've got. Maybe it's not in my cards. Or maybe I've become too sensitive about it and someone is trying to teach me a lesson in patience. All I know is whatever the reason is...right now it makes me a little bit sad. I'm thrilled for my dear friends and family with bitty babes and bellies. They are all very special and I hope they don't mind if I live vicariously through their excitement. I know if it ever happens for us, they will thrilled for us as well...but not nearly as much as me.

Have you seen one of these??

Okay. I'm not supposed to tell anyone how sweet and adorable my husband is (for the sake of his manly ego) but I LOVE HIM! Our anniversary day was shaping up to be nothing short of ordinary, which was a huge disappointment to me since I had it in my head that it should be some sort of monumental celebration, but he surprised me. I got over thinking I needed some huge spectacular event and was looking forward to spending the evening together - just he and I. Something easy, something chill - dinner and movie. We had a great time. Owen was spending the night with Jonathen Moore being crazy, and so we had no curfew... I didn't get dressed up (we wore flip-flops) and made it a relaxing night. It felt like it had been forever since we had a date! When we got home, he pulled out a gift (not that kind...you dirty minded people) and I was totally surprised! Now between us, I can never tell what kind of a gift Tom will get. Since money is usually tight, it's likely to be something practical that I have been meaning to get and just haven't, like pink spatulas or an egg timer. But I have to say that over this year he has been pretty good - for Mother's Day he surprised me with two sets of nesting end tables that I had fallen in love with - and this is what he got for our anniversary!! It's the coolest little camcorder! I've been looking at them since before Christmas and with everything that's out there, I just thought the innovation of it's simplicity was SO cool! It was the last thing I expected. What a great guy to be so sneaky and for giving me little moments of surprise. I know gifts are not to be tokens of our affections for one another and it is not the actual gift itself that is so precious. I find great happiness in just the thought of his wanting to give something that seems out of reach or impossible at the time. Thinking of something that I would never expect and then giving me the world with all of his heart. He's so cute.

1st Anniversary Come & Gone...

But what a year! They say the first year of marriage is the 'adjustment' year. Ain't that the truth. I'm sure it's hard for Tommy to wake up to a wild haired, make-up-less, hairy legged creature instead of the princess of his dreams. Disobedient dogs, disobedient kids, working, not working, moving in, moving out, moving in again. Money (yea!), not money (usually). Where'd my waist go? I dunno - where's yours?? It seems this is just the adjustment of life! It's never ending. There are always challenges. There are always disappointments. There is always something reminding us of 'the bigger picture' that keeps us striving to overcome those trials of today. I've found that moving forward is what makes all the difference. Looking back only keeps us at the end of line. We learn, we grow, and we have great joy. I love my life. I LOVE my husband. I love our little family and everything that gets thrown our way. And I know every little trial we face is HF's way of making sure we're paying attention...because he's just trying to keep us on the right track.

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I've found my HAPPY!

Ohhh, man! Who'd have thought that having someone else come to scrub my shower twice a month would make me feel as if all the world were in perfect, peaceful harmony? I'm telling you, for the cost of a pedicure or haircut...it's SO worth it.

After cleaning someone else's house day in and day out, having someone help ME for once is more than worth my sanity and better than a day at the spa. Though I know such frivolities may only last but a fleeting moment, I am willing to endure the inevitable heartbreak when it comes.

If I had a spiral notebook, I would doodle 'I love Star & Vanessa' on it encircled in hearts unending.

Out on a Limb

"Mom! I can see the bees flying to our flowers in the backyard. They're here! Come see!"

''...Okay, okay...", I say. I'm frantic reading a article online about what to do when your pooch eats a rodent. Five minutes later I feel the stare of small eyes.

"What? What do you need?"

"I just want you to come see the bees."

My heart melts in an instant and I succumb. "Alright. Show me."

"You can see them flying from the back door, look - in the sun - all over! Look how many! They're here!"

I can't help but love the innocence and admire his excitement. This little boy who loves to watch the honeybees float amongst the lavender bushes and feels like he is saving them all by providing them with attracting flowers and wearing his Keep the Hive Alive t-shirt - is right.

They're here.

They aren't casually flitting through the morning sun over the roses or the jasmine...they're swarming throughout the entire backyard. And it's only our yard, like an invisible barrier was placed around all the neighboring yards. Apparently someone let it leak that the Gilstraps were sympathetic to the honeybees plight.

Next time I go telling y'all to plant honeybee friendly plants in your yards, do so with great caution. You may well end up with a happy hive of new neighbors to welcome home.

Luckily the bees settled, though they still remain, perched on an outreaching limb of the Ash tree nearly 3 stories up.

Pray for no wind.

Dainty Vicious

Frankie finally caught that squirrel she's been treeing for months. I think she's decided it wasn't worth it. Do they make doggie laxitives? Gross. Grossgrossgross. Blecch.