THIS is what I'm thankful for...

Family.......

Friends....

 

 These on good days......

These on bad days.....

 

But most of all.....

 This little girl!

Pancakes!

So...if you can believe it, Tenlee and I had a little extra time this morning, well-just enough time to whip up some homemade pancakes.

She LOVES to help.....sometimes more than wanted by me. But hey, at least she's willing, and I do love the fact that she likes to help me in the kitchen. Just creates a tad more mess...but she's so darn proud.

I just love that little hand.

Yummy!!! 

 Finished product....get in mah belly!

Last day of work for the week! Whoohoo! I dropped Tenlee off at daycare this morning, and she can't wait to go home and put her dress on with her dancin' shoes. We have a family Thanksgiving tonight and she's excited for the party!! 

I must say, these pancakes aren't gonna even come close to the deliciousness 

I'll be devouring in T (minus)  7 hours!

Oh, and one more side note. BLACK FRIDAY is almost here!!! This girl is STOKED!

Always say 'I love you'

To say the least, mornings are rough at my house. 
They look nothing like this....

Without going into much detail-I got really mad at Tenlee the other morning. I dropped her off at daycare and didn't say good-bye, I love you, or give her a hug/kiss. I just walked out.

I was so angry...afterward I stopped at PDQ for a soda and a cookie, and cried the whole way to school thinking about how mean of a mom I was. I couldn't help but think I was going to die that day. And I'd be gone, and never get a chance to say those words again, that she wouldn't know I loved her because I stormed out without acknowledging her. I beat myself up all day because I 'left' like that. But it got me thinking....

That night, I picked her up and we had a great night together. And we talked about what happened earlier that day. She looks up at me, with those glossy little tired eyes and says: I be good so I can have a hug and a kiss! It hurt me, but it also made me realize that she understood what had happened that day. The concepts that little girl can grasp are incredible.

Everything went MUCH more smoothly this morning. (And I didn't die, and she still loves her mommy). Mornings are so stressful for me. We leave the house nearly every morning before 7am, and I'm always in a rush. I know it's partially my fault because I don't allow enough time in the morning, but she's never ready to go and never wants to walk. She's almost 3...I can't carry you all the time, child. Especially juggling a backpack, a diaper bag, our lunches, a phone, keys and any other random toy/movie/blanket she demands to take with her for the day.

Anyway-I learned my lesson, and I'm positive I will NEVER leave her again without a hug, a kiss and an I LOVE YOU! Because when I go to pick her up at night....the best feeling a mom can get is when my daughter, that I've missed all day, screams: Mama! And comes running in my direction! My heart melts and puts a big smile on my face. Nothing else matters.

Do your parents tell you they love you? Mine don't....for as long as I can remember, they haven't. And I don't like it. I know my parents love me, and they know I love them-why can't we say it? But after 25 years of not, its hard to say it. 

I want Tenlee to always tell me she loves me, and I will make it a point to do the same.

I LOVE YOU TENLEE!

....makin' a list, checkin' it twice.

Tenlee and I finally sat down tonight to start her never-ending Christmas list.

Mama....I want dis. I want dis too. Pretty much the only phrases I heard all night.

She was so sweet though. We paged threw several flyers, as I cut out the items she pointed to...that sparkle in her eye could not be ignored. As she assured me: "I wike (like) Santa! I be a good girl and listen and he bring me lots of presents."

I can't wait. This Christmas is going to be so fun with her. They all have, but she's really starting to get into it this year, and I love it! Here are a few of her wish list items.

Of course, MY daughter needs:

 this.....

....and this

....and this? 

HUH?! Well whatever....she was having fun!

color!

Schweet!

This is Janel's 'Interior Design' project....turned my photo assignment for one of my classes at MATC. It worked perfectly (serving as double-duty)!

Once I find the time...I really want to post some of my studio shoots that I've been working on for class. It's amazing what LIGHT can do. We will be using STROBE, for the first time next week. I'm pumped. The possibilities are endless.....

Rawr!

Here is little Miss Tenlee in her Halloween costume this year. She was a.......

    

LION!

A pretty darn cute one, if I do say so myself. She was so excited to trick-or-treat this year, and get lots of CANDY!

 

Tenlee and Auntie Lynae

Grandma and Tenlee!

Lauryn, Tenlee and Taylor

T had so much fun....we even met up with Alexis to see the 'scary' house in Cross Plains. It was a fun night, even though Tenlee was tuckered out early! I'll take advantage of it while I can! ;-)

Tenlee and her best friend, Alexis (super woman)!

Kat Von D and a Lion!