Inside out ice cream cone

Bridget discovered the joy of sundae cones and has been a big fan. She helped me clean up the living room today so she got to have one. Now that I think about it, James mentioned something about not rewarding her with food last night. Hmmm.....

Any hoo, I looked over at her and she had started eating the cone from the bottom! Get to the good stuff first, right? She was so cute I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

A scant few minutes later, I look over and she's finished the cone and eating the ice cream out of her hand. It was so cute! What started off as an ice cream cone finished in a bowl with a spoon. To be a kid again. Sigh.

Rhubarb bliss

Do you like rhubarb? I find that most people haven't ever tried it, don't like it or love it. I fall into the last catagory. It is so yummy! After my Papa died, my mom dug up the rhubarb plant he had in his yard and took it to her house. This last weekend I cut a bunch of it and brought it home with me. Serious yum.

My favorite way to eat rhubarb is stewed in water and sugar. When I made it today I added some raspberries and they made it even better! Have you ever been to Mrs. Knotts chicken restaurant at Knotts Berry Farm? They serve it there stewed in cherry juice and its so good.

I guess one reason I love rhubarb is because it reminds me of my childhood and my Grandma Udy. The plant grew at her house and she would make stewed rhubarb for us when we would come visit, along with rice pudding. I miss her a lot and I think she would have liked me passing on the tradition to my Bridget.

Just can't wait for summer

My little Bridget is a water bug! She loves it in any form and this spring she has found puddles again. It was so nice on Sunday evening that we decided to let her have a little fun in the sprinklers. She had a great time running around and jumping in the puddles. She is a sweet heart!

Happy Mother's Day

I have a lot of great examples in my life of strong women and I wouldn't be the woman I am today with out them. I learned how to be a mom from my mom Trenna. She taught me compassion, kindness, how to cook, how to clean, and how to get things done. She taught me that there's always enough food for everyone to join us and that that my house is open to anyone who needs it. She taught me that family comes first and not to forget the people we love most. She is amazing.

If I told you about all the amazing women in my life this post would go on for days - there are just too many of you that I love to name you by name. But if you read this blog you know who you are.

My sweet Bridget is my greatest accomplishment and if I can raise her to be a strong, independent, smart, compassionate, honest woman, I have done my job. Nothing I do personally or professionally is more important than that. Win a Pulitzer Prize or raise a well adjusted, amazing child - it's a no brainier. Although, I am so amazing, I could do both, so we'll see!

To all you mom's and incredible women out there, keep it up. It sucks sometimes, yes. But it's worth it 99.9 percent of the time. I love you all, thanks for being Yoda to my Luke Skywalker.

Me and Sheri cheesing it up. Love her like a sister!

My crazy Ballou Aunts. Funny, strong, hilarious, good looking....you get the point. Amazing ladies.


My good friend Heather. I love her for so many reasons, hard to put them all in one note.


My mother in law Cindy. She is so cute with the grandkids and is a pretty great MIL.


My amazing sister Tonya - love her and miss her like crazy!


Alyse and Danae - love those Fisher girls!


My mom with Paige and Bridget. She is the best grandma ever!


Here are four generations of strong women in the Ballou Family. I miss my Grandma June. She was feisty and spunky. I got a lot of my personality from Grandma Ballou.


My other grandma, Grandma Udy. She's been gone a long time but I still miss her. She would have loved meeting James and would have gotten a kick out of Bridget.
Cindy and I in Lake Tahoe. It's been so fun getting to know her better and we always have so much fun travelling with them!