This Heat!

This heat is driving me nuts! I know that we live in the desert. But at some point, even we have to say it, the heat needs to go away. I'm tired of triple digit weather. I'm sure my kids, especially Lauren would LOVE to play outside. I know that I would enjoy a nice afternoon outside.

But with this heat, it would be irresponsible to drag my kids out when it's over 100 degrees outside. We have a swimming pool. But I can't even imagine dragging my kids out there. It's just too hot. So we stay inside between 10am and at least 6pm. It's horrible!

Especially in this little town. There's not a whole lot of things we can do inside. I've been really good keeping our kids entertained. But I'd really like to enjoy our backyard. I would LOVE to let Lauren play in her playhouse.

So summer heat, do you think you can go away? I mean, at least cool down to 90 degrees. I think we can handle that. Because these triple digits, I can't handle those. Neither can my kids. And as much as we love our air conditioned home, we'd LOVE to explore outside!

~Manders

Up on the Ridge

I've had this song stuck in my head for weeks! It's not that the radio is always playing it. Because I don't hear it much on the radio. But my husband, he's been playing it for weeks, maybe even months!

I really like it. But it's been stuck in my head! I've even dreamt about it. Is that crazy? I really like the musical break in the song. My husband was explaining it all to me. But I just like the way it sounds.

So what do you do when you have a song stuck in your head? I'm thinking, maybe I can join the BBs. I can be their back up singer or something. Well, if I could sing...

~Manders

Urban Rain Giveaway

Urban Rain is giveaway a $25 gift certificate to their Etsy shop. Head over to My Cakies and enter the giveaway. You have a few more hours. So hurry. Because you know you want one of the beautiful rings from this shop!

~Manders

16 Years

Today marks the 16th anniversary, of my brother Robert's passing. The pain is still there. Not as raw, but still there. There are still days that I wake up and I want to talk to him. Days that I wish we could sit and talk about life. Talk about raising a family. I know he would probably have 8 kids by now! He'd tease me because I'm trying to raise my 3 precious kiddos, but feeling very overwhelmed by it. Or laugh that I made a career out of my love for makeup. And married a "Real Cowboy."

Last year, I really felt close to Robert. While I was pregnant. I don't know why. But I really did. I spent lots of time watching old videos of our family. From when we were all kids. I looked through all of my parents' old pictures. Just feeling the need to remember my brother.

I kept telling Billy that one of our babies was a boy. I just knew it. And when we found out that we were having a boy and a girl, I knew I had to name my son after Robert. Billy completely agreed.

It's funny, as Robbie is getting bigger, he just reminds me so much of my brother. Even when I put him and Abby down for a nap, he grabs her hand. Just like Robert would grab mine, when we would walk home from school. I hope that Abby and Robbie are just as close as Robert and I
were. That Robbie will always love and take care of his sisters, yes both of them. :)

I know, I must sound crazy. But my brother and I were super close. He was my hero. My big brother. The guy that looked out for me. Protected me from all of the bad things in life. You can read my post from last year. It sheds a little bit of light on this tough subject. The day we lost Robert, it changed my life. Forever.

But there was something very healing about having the twins. Almost like a piece of my brother is living through my son. My mom gets so emotional with Robbie. I catch her every once in a while, just lost in her thoughts. Usually when Robbie and Abby are napping. The tears are slowly trickling down her cheeks. Or when Robbie is laughing and playing. I have a feeling, that Robbie reminds her of Robert.

We'll never forget my brother. That's just impossible. He was such a huge and important part of our lives. But in some small way, I'm positive that Robert is now living with us. Bringing us a sense of comfort. Helping us to celebrate his life, and move forward with our lives.

We love you Robert! I promise that I'll never forget you. How could I? You taught me how to tie my shoes, count, and bait a hook to go fishing. Brother, I miss you. Rest in peace.

~Manders

Dreaming

I've been dreaming about going to a spa. Just having a few hours to myself. To stop and breathe. Perhaps have a meal without holding one of my children. And maybe just maybe, not feel like I'm a feeding machine.



Doesn't this look so peaceful and relaxing? Maybe I'm just tired. It's nearly 5am, and I swear, the last time I looked at the clock, I was putting my son down for the night. He had just ate. It was nearly 1am. Here I am, feeding him again. He's an eating machine!



Just a few minutes. Sans husband. Sans kids. Just me. With no worries. Just 5 minutes. To stop and breathe.



and a massage! What I would do for one of those! It's been months. Maybe even a year. It's not that I don't love my kids. I love them with all my heart. They are my world. And I would do anything for them. But mommy, she's tired. Breastfeeding twins is like a 18 hour job. I love it. But at the same time, I just want 5 minutes.

My son is done eating. Maybe I can catch a few minutes of sleep before Abby wakes up. She is like me. She likes her sleep. And Billy, well he'll keep Lauren entertained until 7am, when he goes to work. Time for mommy to get a little more sleep. :)

~Manders

Audrey Hepburn

I can't lie, I haven't been feeling too glamorous lately. Until I seen Carly's new video. I know it's late. I'm in my pjs, covered in baby spit up. But I feel inspired to play with some makeup. You know, before my son wakes up for his midnight feeding. I just love this makeup look!

~Manders

Apron Giveaway

I really like this apron. It was made by the talented Megan of Crochet Every Day. She is hosting a giveaway for an apron and a DVD. Hurry up and head over. The giveaway ends tonight!

~Manders

Naked Pallet

My husband is pretty amazing! I hadn't even mentioned this pallet to him. I hadn't said one word. I believe, I read about it on 1 blog. About a month ago. That was it. But I think he's learned. We've been together over 5 years now. The poor man has had to listen to me babble about makeup the entire time! And today, when he came home from a work trip south, he had this beauty with him!

Yes, he did it all by himself. I'm not sure where he even found it. Because we don't have a Sephora anywhere nearby. But my hubby did well. Real well! And as soon as my son is done with his night time feeding, I'm going to start playing. Just a little. I can't help myself!

~Manders

Just Bitten

I've been reading lots of reviews for Revlon's Just Bitten. It's Revlon's new lipstain. And I've noticed how people either hate this product, or love it. I'm thinking, it has to do with the way in which it's being applies.

I wrote a post about Covergirl's Lipstain a while back. But I've also used Revlon's lipstain. I actually really enjoy this product as well. You get the perfect, "I just ate strawberries" look. You can also layer the product for a stronger color.

Like I said in my last post about lipstain, you need to prep your lips before application. I find this to be essential. If your lips are not in good condition, this product is not going to apply correctly.

One tip that I have is to condition your lips before hand. Try using a sugar scrub during your shower. Then your lips will be in good condition. The stain will go on more evenly, therefore, last longer.

Revlon's lipstain is a good product. Especially during the summer. When you don't want to be worry about touching up your makeup, or worrying about your favorite lipcolor melting in the heat.

~Manders

*FTC: All items have been purchased by me. All my opinions are honest, and I'm not being paid to review these products.

Lauren's Makeup Chair

I'm a very lucky lady! Billy had Lola design my makeup room and bathroom, after Lauren was born. And we were still in TX. It's beautiful! And perfect. In every way. It's a bordeaux style room. Pink, black, and white. Gorgeous! With everything cute and girly.

She thought of everything. The vanity, the storage, comfy chairs, beautiful decor, the most beautiful color! It's amazing. And I've loved it for all these years. But now that Lauren is getting bigger, she likes being in there more and more. She likes to watch me get ready. And likes to watch when I work with Lola.

So I've been on a mission to find Lauren a chair. Something that matched the room. But was comfy for my little girl. And I found the perfect chair. When I was talking to Billy about this chair, he suggested that I buy a couple. H told me that he'd place the order. And he bought 6! 3 for my Makeup Room. And 3 for my closet.

There was a perfect space to put them in. And now, I can have my girls in my Makeup Room and my closet with me. And if my friends are over, and we're just hanging out, we have enough seating. And they are so comfy!

I know it might seem excessive. Especially at $200 a piece. But my Makeup Room is large. And so is my closet. Lauren and I enjoy playing in mommy's things. And when my friends come over, lots of times we just like to dress up. And have fun. So these chairs are going to be perfect!

~Manders

Meet Ariel

This is Ariel. Billy bought her when I was still pregnant with the twins. With a few other toys. And we wrapped them up for Lauren. We wanted her to have some special things while we were gone having the twins.

Well, almost 4 months later, Ariel is a member of our family. She goes everywhere we go. Including church. Where she sits quietly between Lauren's little purse, and Lauren. :) She also goes to dance practice. Tucked safley in Lauren's dance bag.

It cracks me up. But for some reason, Lauren really likes Ariel. They have breakfast together. And even go outside to feed Lauren's pony. I just hope that he doesn't decide to eat Ariel one day. We'll be in some serious trouble! But I just wanted to introduce you to one of our favorite little pals. :)

~Manders

Baby Alive

My parents came over recently. Loaded with gifts for our kiddos. Lots of them. Clothes, toys, and yummy snacks. Isn't that what grandparents are for? That's what they tell me. To spoil their grandkids. So I don't say much.

Lauren got this "Baby Alive" doll with all these doctor supplies. She loves it! She keeps telling me that she is taking care of her baby like T-Lo takes care of the babies at the hospital. It really is cute. She wants a doctor's coat now. Um, where would you find one? Why am I asking? My dad is probably already on it.

But honestly, this is providing hours and hours of entertainment for my little girl. She even tried to feed her baby like mommy. How do you explain that one? I'm breastfeeding the twins. I didn't know what to say. So I'm letting her. I just told her that she can only do that at home. :)

~Manders

Lauren's House of Dolls

This is what my sister got Lauren. Why? For being her flower girl. She got it the night of the rehearsal dinner. And she couldn't wait to play with it. Can you blame her? I can't! But she had to wait a few days. It was a busy weekend. My sister was married that Saturday, the twins were baptized on Sunday, and we had a party on Sunday.

Early Monday morning, Lauren comes pulling this into our bedroom. She needed help opening it. I don't think Billy ever opened his eyes. But he managed to open the box. And Lauren, she's been playing with these little dolls ever since!

I don't know where my sister got it. Or how much it costs. The only thing that I know is, my daughter loves it! Thank you sissy!

~Manders

Freshness in this Summer Heat

The heat has been pretty harsh around here. I don't know if it's just me, but this summer seems to be especially hot. Lola had mentioned using this deodorant when I saw her in May. And quite honestly, I was looking for something fun and fresh for the summer.

I bought this 2 days ago. Honestly, it's one of the best deodorants I've used. Because I live in the desert, I feel safe to say that. This is a product that is going to keep you fresh and clean feeling. Even in 100 degree weather. Trust me!

The best part about it, is the slight scent. It's not over powering. But a nice surprise as you move about. There are a variety of scents. But I purchased the "Orange Flower and Cranberry." Again, not over powering, but a nice surprise in the heat.

~Manders

*FTC: All items have been purchased by me. All my opinions are honest, and I'm not being paid to review these products.

Sound Machine

This is no ordinary lamb. It's a sound machine. And my saving grace. I have to thank my mother-in-law for this beautiful invention. It puts our twins to sleep. And they sleep really well. I even fall asleep some nights to the wonderful noise. :)

For any new parents, this is a must. I don't know where my mother-in-law got it. But it's beautiful! We don't leave home without our little friend. Our sheep has become part of the family!

~Manders