It's magically delicious

and I ain't talking about Lucky Charms.



No offense to any vegetarians. Or lovers of magical make-believe creatures. Or lovers of magical make-believe creatures who are also vegetarians.

{images from here}

Project Mode

I stayed up way too late last night working on something that absolutely does not matter! Despite the unimportance of my task, there was no hope for me; I was in project mode, working with blinders on, unable to focus on anything but the job at hand. Nothing else mattered. I had to keep working. I had to finish!

Well, I didn't finish, but at 2:30 in the morning my brain finally decided I had reached an adequate stopping point. It's not looking good for Reasonable Anna, because this project may take quite some time, which means Irrational Project-Mode Anna will be here to stay for a while. But don't worry, Reasonable Anna kicks in when needed, like when Sara demands attention or when my stomach screams from starvation. I'll step away from the insanity for such necessities, but in the meantime, you'll find me working on my project!

Lost and Found

Today I wore a necklace that I thought was lost. It had been lost for the past 6 years, 11 months, and 4 days; since the day I got married. It was my favorite necklace during my single days, but mysteriously since becoming a wife, the necklace was nowhere to be found. Lost and gone forever. I spent 6+ years wondering what happened to it. Every now and then while putting on accessories I would think about that necklace and wonder if somebody else was wearing it, or if it was just lying in a hole somewhere. Then a few months ago while unpacking my suitcase after returning from a trip, I reached inside one of the outer pockets and was shocked to find none other than that very necklace I thought I lost all those years ago! There it was, just sitting in the suitcase pocket, waiting for somebody to come along and find it. I guess I hadn't used that suitcase since the day I got married either, because I always check the pockets when unpacking my suitcase! I can't believe I never found it before now!

Finding this necklace gives me a slight glimmer of hope that I might also someday find another beloved item that has been lost since my wedding day; Sherman the stuffed elephant. Some of you know about Sherman. Some know I've been looking for him for 6 years, 11 months, and 4 days. He was a gift from Rob while we were dating, and I loved him so very very much. I'm sad every time I see a stuffed animal and wish it was Sherman. I've searched high and low in my parent's house hoping to find him. I've looked through storage boxes thinking maybe, just maybe, he might be hiding in there. After years of hoping, I finally resigned to the fact that I may never see him again, but finding that necklace gives me renewed hope! If that necklace can be found after years of hiding, maybe Sherman will turn up as well! Just like that necklace, he might be sitting in a box or bag or suitcase somewhere, waiting to be found. It may be ridiculous, but I'm going to keep on hoping I'll find him someday.

A girl can never have too many accessories

This is how Sara looked when I left for my run this morning.


This is how she looked when I returned.




Looks like we've got a little fashionista on our hands!

Either that or her daddy went a little crazy when selecting items to complete the outfit.

I'll let you decide.

Funny little bunny go hop hop hop

I was trying to remember what happened last year on Easter, and all I came up with was sitting in the living room of Rob's parent's house with Rob and his siblings, opening up all the Easter eggs and picking out the good flavors of Jelly Belly's. That's seriously all I remember! You must forgive me. I had a 3-month-old baby and we had just moved at the time. It's no wonder my memory of last year's festivities escape me.

But THIS year....I'm pretty sure I'll remember it. This year Sara was old enough to appreciate all the fun that comes with celebrating Easter, such as hunting for eggs, and eating the tasty treats found inside. Both of which, I'm quite certain, are two of her new favorite pastimes.

Ok. Let's cut to the chase. Picture time.

Sara attended four Easter egg hunts this year! They went in order from least to greatest. The first one we attended was a free event advertised by a local radio station and THOUSANDS of people showed up. We didn't even make it there in time for the hunt. By the time we showed up, all the eggs were gone. But Sara enjoyed picking up a half-shell of an egg I found lying around.





















The next hunt was at the neighborhood park with all the kids from church. We arrived before the hunt began, but it was over in about 2 minutes because the eggs were just scattered on the grass. Not much of a "hunt". But once again, Sara enjoyed just running around and picking up anything she could get her hands on.




We invited Rob's niece and nephew to come with us to this one and tried to snap a group shot. It took a few tries (and a little Photoshop) but we ended up with a cute one.

{click to enlarge}

The third hunt was at Sara's great-grandmother's apartment building--they have a nice atrium in the middle of the building with plants and tables and all sorts of good egg hiding spots-- complete with a "magic act" which was really just a man making balloon animals. (Sara got a French Poodle.)

The last hunt was on Easter morning in our apartment. I made a trail of eggs down the hall and around the corner into the living room where Sara's Easter gifts were waiting for her. Of all the presents she received, I think she loves the dollar-store duck (and quite an ugly duckling at that) best of all! Her reaction in the video below speaks for itself. Enjoy!

But my arms hurt real bad!

I did a Jillian Michaels workout video a few days ago, and let me tell you, I sure am feeling it today! I am so sore all over! Especially in my arms and abs. My arms are so sore, I can't even straighten them all the way without pain wincing through them! Ouch. The workout was only 25 minutes, but it was intense! No wonder those Biggest Loser contestants lose so much weight. Jillian it tough!!