Ugh...too tired for a cute title, just need to catch up.

Admittedly, the entire fall season got away from me. We did a lot of enjoying and picture taking, but not enough blogging.

First off...Harper's introduction to the fair. We went with some great friends Whitley & Steve and their sweet little boy Tully (a strong contender for her arranged marriage). We went during the week so the crowds were minimal, and had perfect weather to boot. Harper was luke warm about the rides. She could take 'em or leave 'em, but the waiting in line was not for her. She enjoyed the food and was a big fan of the well crafted carnival prize her dada won for her.











In November we took Harper to her first college football game, ECU. We went with our friends Anne and Andy and they brought their little girl Kate. Prior to the game we played out a little energy on the jungle gym. It was quite cold that day and it took Harper a little while to warm up to the idea. After that we went in to the game, where we stayed approximately 1 quarter. This was not at all because of the girls. They were good as gold and we couldn't have asked for better behavior. We left because it was flipping cold out there, we were cramped, and not to mention...getting killed by Navy. As soon as we walked out of the stadium, it started to rain. It was at that point the girls decided they wanted to play and frolic on the way back to the car. This made the process of getting warm and dry about 3 times as long. God love 'em, they were having fun and deserved a little freedom after being so good during the game.

Out with the old in with the new.

Harper and Ella have always had a special bond. From the first days they spent together there was love in the air. Ella is a big 80 pound lab that is oodles of fun to jump on, roll under and play tug 'o war with. Big dogs are undoubtedly super amusing. However, there is also a glorious world of games and recreation to be had with small dogs. Harper has been around a few smaller dogs, as I have several friend with miniature breeds, and ALWAYS finds them hilarious. My friend Meredith brought over her (oh too cute) Cockadoodle a couple weeks ago for us to meet. Rigby was, to say the least, full of energy and gave Harper the highlight of her day week. The 2 of them couldn't get enough of each other and it was quite entertaining to watch.

Suck it up Daddy, I want some candy!

This Halloween will be one for the books I'm sure. Obviously, with it being Harper's first year of actual door to door trick or treating, it will hold a special place in our hearts. However, there will be an additional memory that came with this momentous event. Adam was sick!!! If you know me at all you know that this statement deserves exclamation points.

Adam came down with some sort of stomach flu late Saturday night. As the soldier that he is he tried to do a little studying in the library Sunday morning; but after a valiant effort...spent the rest of the day in bed. We all had plans to go over to Harper's friend Katie's house for some trick or treating in their neighborhood. This did not happen. By 5 o'clock Adam was awake and ready to give it a go for his little princess, but we decided to just go to a few houses on our street to keep it as easy as we could. We got the baby in her costume, the wagon out of the garage, and we were off... 5 houses later, we were done.

Harper did great! She walked right up to the house, pounded on the door, then contemplated which piece of candy she was going to take before EVENTUALLY choosing one. I will say, with Adam being sick, and Harper only allowed 1/2 of a little tootsie roll a day, that little bit of candy lasted a LOOOONG time.

Here are some pictures of my little Peacock.

Serving up a little pumpkin patch, with a hay ride on the side.

Sorry for the delay in my post. I have honestly forgotten to keep up with the family blog with everything else that's going on.

Keeping it short... my mom joined Adam, Harper and myself for an entertaining trip to Hillridge Farms. There are a million things to do there and I'm pretty sure we tried them all. Some were a hit, some not so much.

Enjoy the pics.

::Warning:: :: Warning:: This could be too cute to handle.

Last week, Harper and I met Lauren and Katie out at the Farmer's Market for lunch and a little "palling around". It was an absolutely gorgeous fall day and the girls took complete advantage of it. They chased each other up the hill, and back down the hill, played ring around the rosie, and excitedly announced every time a car drove by. What better way to spend the day.

OMG...I hope I'm ready for this

Ok, I did it. I launched a website and Facebook page for my furniture!

Thanks to Emilee I have a well crafted website that couples as a professional blog. I think this will be a better fit for my kind of biz. People want to see before and afters, and everything in between. I'm hoping that by giving each piece it's own introduction and editorial, people will connect better and want to give them all a home...much like puppies.

Well, Saturday actually marked the first "coming out" for The Painted Peacock. Emilee Beth Photography had a Halloween costume event that was held at our house. She invited me and our friend Lauren to show our stuff. Lauren is an extremely talented artist who sells kids painted step stools, canvases, bow holders, etc (let me know if you want to get in touch with her). It was a gorgeous day, everything went perfectly, and all the kids looked great in their costumes!

As far as the furniture, we had a lot of nice complements, and lookers but no purchases. Well, at least not then. We launched the site and FB announcement last night around 9pm. By this morning I have had inquiries about every piece of furniture except for 2!! Holy crap! It took me 2 months to find and paint all that furniture. I am definitely going to have to find some more free time in my schedule to keep up with this apparent demand.

Don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED! However, I'm a little nervous about keeping up.

A big fat THANK YOU to everyone who has helped me get started. Don't think for a second your job is done. WE have a lot of work to do (ha ha).

See our website
See us on Facebook

Fashion Friday...Dust off those boots.

It's finally cowboy boot weather in the south. Well, I guess what I should say is, we have had a day or 2 cool enough for boots tossed into the last 2 weeks. They are however, starting to come a little more often, and those warm days aren't getting quite as warm as they used to. FALL IS HERE AND I LOVE IT!!!!

Sunny days are here again

FINALLY...Adam, Harper, and I took a vacation!!! (pause for applause)

We did it, we took the plunge. Adam got some time off work and we escaped to sunny Florida. We went down for an incredible 4 days of bliss. We rode bikes everywhere, relaxed in the pool, spent time with Adam's dad and step-mom, and overall enjoyed each other. We had perfect weather and fabulous food...damn...it was nice.
I even got to see my cousin Meg (and her little boy Caleb) who I haven't seen since we were both pregnant. Harper and Caleb are only 2 months apart in age and it showed. They had a blast together hitting it off right from the start. It did however, make our good-byes that much sadder.

First ride on a beach cruiser. Fun Fun Fun

We ate breakfast at the cutest little coffee shop/store.

We saved time for a little skinny dipping. (Harper NOT Adam)

Harper and Adam mapping out our fun filled weekend.

Yes, we found an aquarium. Lord this girl loves fish!

Yes, we are those parents.

You in the back...smile.

Harper and Caleb from the back

...and front.

Even ol' Max came over for a visit.

Questions of the Day

Are you sadder for a life that was lived but cut short, or a life that never had a chance to live? On one hand there is the element of missing what you knew could have been, and on the other hand never getting to experience this magnificent world at all, not even one breath.
Is it right to mourn something you lost even though you didn't know you had it? To cry thinking how bad you would have wanted it if you had only known? Or do you sweep it under the rug, saying "I was fine before I knew, so therefore nothing has changed"?
It's funny how it's so easy to give advice and tell people "it's not that bad" until you walk a mile in their shoes. Sometimes it is just that bad.

SAY MY NAME!!!

Harper learned how to say her name today. It's crazy how one day things just click. Yesterday she was saying "Hah" when we asked her to say her name. Now she clearly says "Ha-per". We are so elated we aren't even going to worry about that missing "r". I'm sure in time it will make its appearance.




.