Commenting on Diligent Joy

I know that people are visiting my blog because my stats say they are. I'm getting hundreds of views each day but I rarely see comments. I've never expected comments but I do love them and appreciate them because they give me direction and make me feel like this is a spot that people enjoy.

Is there a reason you guys aren't commenting? Is there something different that I should be doing? I honestly need to know because I think that the lack of comments is a big part of the reason that I have sort of slumped as a blogger. It's not much fun when I feel like I'm talking (writing) to myself. If I wanted to do that, I'd stick to my person journal.

Thrifting Therapy

Oh boy. I have been excited to do this post for some time now. I just love thrifting and have been dying to share some of my favorite finds with you. I'd actually like to make it a regular thing. How do you feel about that?

Whitney, my entertaining and patient thrifting partner, and I try to go thrifting at least once a week. We like the store- our store- on Sunday morning, right when it opens. We each get a cart and go to town searching for treasures, making fun of super fierce things as we look (here's some advice: don't buy Disneyland sweatshirts for anyone, not even yourself- apparently, they all end up at Goodwill). Then we spend a rather hilarious hour or so at the dressing rooms, trying things on and giggling to each other about how sexy (or not) some of our choices are.

It's awesome. It's like retail therapy but it's cheaper and more fun (there is nothing fun about a $90 sweater). I call it thrifting therapy and I'm finding it to be more and more essential to my sanity and well being.

Michael Stars Sweater: $3.

Teal Beaded Neckace: $2 (I have been wanting to spice up my Vintage Pearl charm for a while now).

Grandma skirts are my new obsession.

These are both the perfect maxi length for me and bonus: they have pockets!

The shell skirt was $6 and the rose one was a whopping $2. 

I think I already shared a picture of Harper's thrifted leotard.

She loves it!

My Vintage Pearl charm needed some uniqueness.

This string of beads in my favorite color (teal blue) was perfect.

I've been wearing my new/old necklace with EVERYTHING.

Remember: in my house, matching is optional.

Earrings: $2 or less per pair. 

I am crazy for the gold hoops because they are the perfect size for me.

I paid $1 for these rose ear buds.

They are, thus far, my favorite thrift store purchase.

I wear them constantly.

Even my mom complimented them and said she would like a pair.

My seashell grandma skirt in action.

I love it.

Did I own these Express green corduroy overalls back in high school? 

Yes, I did.

Did I buy another pair from the thrift store a few weeks ago?

You bet.

At $2, they were the cheapest piece of nostalgia I've ever purchased.

And I actually think they work as long as I wear a tank top with them.

I guess long sleeves would work, too.

Anything but short sleeves, which is what I wore with them back in the day.

These shoes. They are perfect.

Here are a few more earrings that I've purchased, all under $2 a pair.

I always hit the jewelry counter first and I always find treasures.

This post just got me so excited for Sunday morning.

Hooray for thrifting!

Real Photos for a Change

I have been a slacker with my camera lately and I'm feeling really sad about that. Instagram is just too quick and easy and my camera is always put away (out of sight, out of mind, you know?). I need to make a habit of keeping it out on my counter so that when big moments happen, I reach for it instead of my iPhone. I even took my camera to Vegas over the holiday, convinced that I'd come home with a card full of photographic gems. I failed at that, bringing only three (yes, three!) measly photos home.

Sometimes, I think that I subconsciously avoid my camera because I feel like I should know more about it at this point. I've had it a year and I'm still shooting almost always in automatic. I am a perfectionist and it's hard for me when I don't do something as well as I'd like. I have promised myself that, come the new year, I will take a photography class. Even after all that I have read about SLR photography, I still feel totally inadequate. I'm definitely a tactile learner and am certain that a good class will put me on the road to taking some solid shots in manual mode (hopefully!). 

Anyway, my iPhone was out of commission for a couple of days (it had an unfortunate run-in with the M&M Store floor last weekend, resulting in a trip to the iQue- our favorite spot for Apple repair) and, while I missed it a whole bunch (times 30921837), it was a nice excuse to use a real camera for a change.

My parents shamelessly spoil Harper.

They gave her a big Merida doll last weekend.

She came with an equally big Angus.

Harper was immediately in love.

The girl definitely inherited my love for horses.

We took her downtown for a little exploration.

We didn't stay long.

Downdown Vegas isn't really for me, especially when I have Harper with me.

There are too many grown up things that I'm not ready for her to see yet.

We did make a quick stop for some pink and purple M&M's.

Harper and her best friend had a play date yesterday.

They spent the morning/afternoon in their nightgowns, eating snacks and playing princesses.

No two girls ever loved princesses more than Harper and Paityn.

I think that, between the two of them, they keep the Disney Princess franchise in business.

Bride Princesses were another Thanksgiving surprise from Grandma "Pauyette" and Papa Jack.

Like we needed any more small princess figurines at this house.

Some days, Harper rocks bedhead from morning until night.

And I don't feel one bit of guilt about it.

I was so happy to come home to this little Grinch.

I missed her so much over the weekend.

She missed me, too.

I know this because she tried to kiss/bite my face off when we got home.

I don't really know when/how Harper got to be so grown up.

And I can't even talk about it right now without wanting to cry.

Post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving

We got home from Vegas earlier this evening. Our Thanksgiving was great and it was wonderful- beyond wonderful, actually- to spend some time with my family. Harper loved it, of course. She didn't want to come home. She actually wanted us to leave her there. That has never happened before and I can't say that it didn't break my heart a bit. Still, I'm happy that she loves my parents so much. Even Colt had a good time (which had nothing to do with the fact that my dad fit him for a set of custom irons, I'm sure).

Harper and Merida on their way to the M&M Store- I must admit that it's sort of nice to have her love a doll that isn't Ariel.

Anyway, I didn't get a chance to do a gratitude post before we left (and, since my parents have neither a computer nor internet, I didn't get a chance to do it while we were away) and wanted to take a quick moment to mention those things that I am most thankful for. Keep in mind that I love and appreciate these people/things every day and not just on a national holiday. I believe in an attitude of gratitude and I know that thankfulness is absolutely necessary to a life of Diligent Joy. How could I be anything but happy when there is so much good in my life? 

Colt- he's sexy and is really good to Harper and me
Harper- she's perfect (and cute and fun and smart and sweet)
Hazelnut- she's so grinchy and I really missed her over the weekend
Tucker- he's my best walking/running partner ever and he's pretty good at snuggling, too!
Our dog sitters- they make going out of town possible and I love that
Our house- I love it
Our neighbors- they are nice and totally not crazy: double win!
Good books- I couldn't live without them
My Kindle- it's the best thing that I never knew I wanted
My job, which I love and wouldn't trade for any job in the world (the parents and kids that I work with are all amazing and I feel blessed to know such great people)
Pretty clothes, especially ones from the thrift store (more about THAT tomorrow :)
Good movies like Love Actually and Secondhand Lions
My parents
My nieces and nephews
My birth parents
Colt's parents
Colt's sisters (I think that sometimes even Colt himself is jealous of how much I talk to Kenzie)
My car
Taco Bell (the veggie cantina burrito sans guacamole is the best thing ever right now)
Good music- for singing, playing, and listening to
The chance to learn and improve on a daily basis
A healthy body and the possibility of more babies in the future
My phone, which is currently out of commission and creating a giant void in my life
The piano- I never appreciated unlimited amounts of uninterrupted practice time when I had it
My hairstylist, who is also the world's best thrifting partner
My bed and the fact that I never (knock on wood) have trouble sleeping in it (or anywhere else, for that matter)

Goodnight, my sweet friends.

So Much Good

I don't know if you ever get tired of the awesomeness that is Colt, Harper, Hazel, and Tucker (if you do, you may be in the wrong spot). I know that I don't. I never will. Sometimes, when it's quiet here and I have some time to think about my life, I'm amazed at all of the good.

There is so much good in my life that at times I can barely believe it. I have an awesome (times 39014857) family, an equally awesome extended family (especially my sisters-in-law... I don't know how I managed to wind up with them in my life but I thank God every day that I did), good books to read, treasures to thrift, a job that I love, things to learn, songs to sing, a house to care for, and the two cutest and most snugly dogs I've ever met.

Everyone is doing the daily gratitude post thing on facebook and instagram this month. I'm not (mainly because I know I won't keep up with it), but I'm still grateful- every day, I'm grateful for all of the good in my life.

For example:

Whitney gave Harper Ariel hair.

Harper loved it and I'm pretty sure she wishes it had been permanent instead of a wash-out chalk job.

There is nothing better than jumping in a pile of leaves with your best friend.

I haven't written much about Harper's best friend because I respect her privacy.

But honestly, these two kill me.

I can't think of them without nearly crying.

Tucker weighs 95 pounds and he thinks he's a lap dog.

More specifically, he thinks he's my lap dog.

I thrifted a ballet outfit for Harper ($2!) and she loves it.

Thrifting just gets better and better.

These girls make my day, especially when they join me in a group hug.

Harper and her cousin Cash always have fun together.

We are so lucky to have him around all the time.

I'm sort of ready for winter.

I've been thrifting some pretty cute winter clothes, this flannel shirt included.

Still, I miss the sun.

I'll always be a summer skirts kind of girl.

This happened and my heart melted.

Tucker is beautiful, even when he is sitting on my lap.

Sometimes, he gives the best snuggles.

I'm so in love with him and his sweet forever-puppy face.

One of the best things about my job is that Harper gets to know children of all ages.

This little guy is especially important to us.

Harps loves him and I love that she has been able to experience a baby, even though I'm not ready for one of my own yet.

Tucker is not just a lap dog.

He's a very patient lap dog.

If you live in Utah, you know that it snowed (and snowed!) last weekend.

Harper LOVED it.

There are some days when I just don't even feel like combing my hair.

I'm just glad that Kenzie is still willing to hang out with me.

We saw The Perks of Being a Wallflower over the weekend.

I was wise when I avoided mascara earlier that day.

Hazelnut loves to snuggle with Harper's blankets.

So does Tucker. 

Apparently, Harper has the softest blankets around.

Harper grew all sorts of up when she turned three.

She is now (and hopefully forever) an excellent cleaner upper. 

It's about time!

P.S. New Hair

P.S. I'm a redhead now.

And I love it.

I think I was meant to have red hair. I love the eye makeup options and feel like my pale skin makes a bit more sense now.

It's been a minute since I paid any attention to Beauty Aisle Addict. I'm hoping to change that soon, I promise. I have lots of good stuff to share! 

Much love!

The One About Ariel and Santa Claus

We are, for the second time this evening, watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Harper is in love with this movie (she has excellent taste, I know) and can't wait to watch more Christmas movies. The girl has got some serious Christmas spirit. She listened to Santa Claus is Coming to Town at least 20 times last night.

It's contagious, too. Harper's Christmas spirit has brought so much excitement to this house and I find myself loving Christmas even more than I already did (which was, by the way, a whole bunch).

Over the weekend, we pulled out Harper's Christmas books. We read them and we talked to her about Santa. Harper ate it all up and is now obsessed with Santa ("him sneak in my house and eat all the cookies and drink his milk"), reindeer (we are leaving nine carrots for nine reindeer), decorations, movies, music, and anything else that has to do with this wonderful time of year. The light in her eyes when she talks about it is so beautiful (I've cried several times). It's not just beautiful. It's magical (people who don't tell their children about Santa because they don't want to lie to them obviously have never experienced such magic). Totally and wonderfully magical.

I believe in the magic of childhood. I believe in the power of a fairy tale. I believe in big silliness and even bigger dreams and I think that there is nothing quite as amazing in this world as the innocence of childhood.

I think a lot of this is due to the fact that I've always been a reader. I've spent my life loving fictional characters (Matilda, Neville Longbottom, Jean Valjean, Belle, and Elphaba, just to name a few) and wishing to visit fictional places (if only I could have received a letter from Hogwarts... I just know that I would have made a brilliant witch!). I know firsthand the magic that comes from believing in something that is just too wonderful to actually be real.

This is why I haven't tried to minimize Harper's obsession with Ariel (it would be quite hypocritical if I did, considering that I was dressing up for Harry Potter book releases and movie premiers well into my 20's). It is the reason that I invited Ariel to Harper's party and also why I told Harper that the personalized mermaid blanket she received in the mail last week was a present from Ariel herself. I want for Harper to experience as much fairy tale wonder as she can before she is old enough to understand that princesses (in the Disney sense, at least) and wizards exist only in imagination.

Harper doesn't know that I arranged and paid for Ariel to come to her birthday party. She doesn't know that I ordered the blanket from Disney's online store. And I like it that way. In this case, ignorance is bliss- a bright-eyed, biggest smile ever kind of bliss.

Harper believes that Ariel sends her surprises in the mail. She also believes that Ariel loves her so much that she came all the way from the sea just to celebrate her birthday with her.

Harper talks about Ariel coming to her party every single day. She shows everyone her blanket and proudly says, "Eeer send me this!" She asks when her special friend is coming again and wants to know all about how we will soon be visiting her at Disneyland. She asks if Ariel can come to all her birthdays. She wants to color her a picture and send it to her in the mail.

Do you see? It's magical. And it makes all of the stress of parenting (late nights, sleepless nights, public tantrums, great big messes...) worth it. Just thinking about it puts a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.

I love every single minute of this magic and wouldn't trade it for anything in the entire world. I love talking to Harper about Santa and Disneyland and Ariel. Not once have I felt guilty about it, either. I hope with all my heart that, as Harper grows and learns the truth about mermaids and fairies, she will still keep the magic with her and that she will appreciate Ariel and other fictional characters for what they are- inspiring and fun. I want her to know that just because something doesn't actually exist, it can still be very real- and very alive- in her heart.

By the way, Harper is getting an Ariel bedroom (sheets, comforter, decorations!) for Christmas. How much is she going to love it? SO much!

My Husband, The Hunter

Some people are just good at everything. Colt is one of those people. He is good at his job (obviously, since he got a surprise promotion and raise just this morning... high five to that, right?). He's smart and social (which is great for me since I'm sort of an anti-social type... I have just adopted Colt's friends as my own and I love all of them because they bring out my silly side) and ridiculously athletic.

Colt is also good at having fun. He has more hobbies than anyone I know and is, no exaggeration, good at all of them. It doesn't matter what he is getting ready for, be it a fishing trip, a round of golf, or hunting season, he always prepares. He researches, reads forums, finds the best equipment, and basically goes into total obsession mode until it's over.

The 2012 rifle hunting season was no exception. Colt devoted several months to watching and reading everything he could find on elk/deer hunting. He talked to people and spent hours (and a few bucks) at Cabela's. The hunting frenzy around here was almost too much for me but I was excited for him because I knew that he was really looking forward to it. I was even more excited for him when he got his deer.

Colt worked really hard for this hunt and was exhausted when it was over. He was super excited with the outcome, however, and so was I.

I realize that it seems weird for a vegetarian to be married to a hunting enthusiast. It's taken some time but I have made peace with this part of Colt's life. I know that Colt respects life and am proud to say that he eats what he kills. I consider deer/elk meat to be just another form of free-range meat. The deer Colt killed wasn't raised or killed under inhumane conditions (a solid rifle shot- another thing Colt is good at- is better than a slaughterhouse). Additionally, it wasn't pumped full of hormones and other possibly harmful substances, making it much the same as the organic beef we would be purchasing at the store anyway.

I also don't believe in forcing my convictions upon other people, Colt included. It is not my place to tell Colt he can't hunt. I've never been a bossy wife and I never will be. It's just not like me to tell someone what they should or should not be doing. Colt golfs, fishes, hunts, and plays softball whenever he wants (yes, I do deserve an award... and a present- a big one :). All I want in return is the same kind of respect. If I want to spend three hours thrifting or wandering through a museum, I don't want anyone, especially my husband, trying to stop me.

Harper's Birthday, The Official Photos

I'm sorry if you are getting tired of seeing so much mermaidy stuff on here. This post will (hopefully) be the last for a while (at least until Christmas... I just finished shopping for Harper and 90% of her gifts are mermaid-related).

I just had to share some of the photos from Harper's birthday party (thanks so much to Whitney for taking them- Whit: I hope that you know that someday, when you have children, I'll take pics at their parties... Oh, and thanks for being the best thrifting partner EVER!).

Harper had such a fun day with her family and friends, was unbelievably spoiled, and even got to meet Ariel. Harper still talks about Ariel coming to her birthday on a daily basis and is so excited to meet her when we go to Disneyland in February.