wheels up!

Living with a pilot that has had his airplane taken away due to uncontrollable circumstances is such a difficult thing.

It's really like a fish out of water! Like a removal of one of your main identity traits...

About 2 years ago, my husband was laid off because of the economic downturn and we had to live this reality for 18 straight months while he worked other odd jobs and we waited, and waited, and waited.

.

I hate waiting games.

.

Finally, last July, we found THE job, and we made THE move, so that he could fly THE plane.

I've only flown in a private jet once, and it's pretty cozy! Since it's so exclusive, it will probably never happen again... but at least we got to sit in the seats!

The boys loved it.
And, I just closed my eyes and pretended that I was being whisked away to somewhere exotic.
I am so in love with my pilot and the fact that:

Being without work has really opened my eyes to what a blessing it is. I am so grateful for Jeff's employment in the career that we have both worked so hard for!
.

But being in this airplane reminds me that:

it's more than an addiction...

So, while I am not a huge fan of Valentines day-- I still dream of these every year:
While we were in Park City this weekend, we went to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and I indulged in a chocolate covered strawberry for $2.25. That was ONE strawberry. And, it really wasn't that big either.
It was delicious, but it was about one bite!
I was able to purchase a whole quart of strawberries at the grocery store for $2.25.
(and I had a bag of chocolate chips laying around the house.)

Just what my Valentines need, more sugar!

Hope your Valentines Day was lovely.

park city prelude.

Valentines day is on the most boring of days this year, MONDAY!

And, since Jeff's schedule is never a guarantee, we make the most of every day he is home with us.
So, on Saturday (even though I was as sick as a dog) we loaded up for a:

I don't know about you, but I love to move!
It mixes it up a bit. It gives you an excuse to go and explore.
Saturday, our drive headed:

Where did we end up you ask?
We've gotta start our trip out right!

I think my favorite part of the day was:
We even took a drive up to Olympic park and got to watch the ski jumps.
My oldest insisted that he wants to be a ski jumper when he grows up.

Okay, there is always that time of the afternoon when your kids start giving you:
You know the look, time for a treat. I've been a good boy! (even thought we ate a massive lunch only about 2 hours previous.)

So, along the way we find a treat shop.
We go a little nuts and let them have pick of the store. Whatever treat they want, it's theirs.
Jeff tries 2 turtle carmels.

I dive into a chocolate covered strawberry.

My oldest chooses a slightly sensible/slightly decadent carmel apple.

The youngest, went a little crazy and picked the most expensive treat in the whole store!
The M&M chocolate and carmel apple deluxe!

(But we promised, and there is no going back on promises-- especially when a little boys heart is a stake.)

It was a:

And a great Valentines celebration!

i'm sick, so you get curtains.

I'm sick.
I hate being sick, but whatever.
I guess it's my time to be sick, it has been a while.
I thought I would show you my new Damask curtains today. I love them so!
I could just roll up in them and wear them to church on Sunday I love them so much!
Have a happy weekend!

mirror, mirror, on the wall...

When we moved into this house, I had every intention of ripping out the raw edge mirror in the downstairs bath and replacing it with a framed one. We had removed a mirror in our Texas house and it was a piece of cake... but there was one problem! The builders in this house glued all of the bathroom mirrors to the wall with gobs and gobs of sticky glue. Removing any mirrors might mean needing to have the wall retextured and costly repair.

I hate changing plans! I had it all planned out perfectly in my mind!

Plan B: tile it. Besides,

I started my little designcapades by painting the bathroom first. I wanted something chocolate brown and rich-- not only for the design aesthetic, it's basically a boy proof color. I'm all about that!

At Lowes I purchased two sheets of tumbled marble tile.
BONUS, they were clearance priced at $7 each!

I trimmed them from the plastic mesh, making sure to take great care in cutting the plastic right down to the edge.

I also purchased a silicone adhesive for $3.50. This one boasted that it could be used to put together glass for a fish tank, so I figured it would also be boy proof and outlast anything mine could throw at them!

I spent the next hour cutting, squeezing, and sticking.

The trickiest part was the top! Just use a little painters tape to keep them in place.
Not bad for an hour of work!
I love it!

The best part, it was so cheap!

before and after.

Four weeks ago, Jeff and I were sitting in a little ICU room at the Primary Children's Hospital in SLC. Our oldest son was diagnosed with a collapsed lung due to Plastic Bronchitis from an allergy to pet dander.

.

Things were very uncertain and unclear. We were confused. The doctors were confused. Our child was in a medically induced coma. It was the hardest period of time in my whole life. I can honestly say that.

We were told that white on the x-ray = bad news. We lived for positive news. There were long, very bleak moments, and slowly... happy moments started to creep in. Small tidbits of happy news, slowly growing into one giant burst of goodness. He would be okay.

.

Our new home would have to be rid of anything containing dander. All the carpets were ripped up, and a fresh new surface of dark wood was laid down. The walls were washed. The ceilings too. Every book, picture frame, toy, knick knack, anything... it all had to be wiped down.
.
It was the longest two weeks of my entire life.
.
But now,

we have health again.

And that really is, the most important thing.

the road to Chicago deep dish pizza.

I'm always up for an-

Especially when it involves a meal.

Does anyone else get a thrill out of finding a new yummy restaurant as much as I do?
I'm kind of a food nerd.

Lo and Behold... she's here.
*Que the heavenly music (and get a load of my oldest's glazed eyes!)

What a monster!
Our evening in a nutshell-

And of course, while we are out-- thanks to Utah, it starts snowing!
Geez, how much snow does one town need?

I'm an eensy weensy bit tired of all of the snow.
But, I'm full, and soooooo-

Quick!
Home, just-

(and with leftovers to boot.)