Kittens Inspired by Kittens


I'm on A Boat - The Lonely Island (feat. T-Pain) - NSFW! (Potty language)


I love Jesus but I drink a little...

On Friday I drove down to Little Rock for a weekend full of friends & work


One of those being my dear friend Jessica, who I love so very much... she offered me lots of laughs and a place to stay.


I got to spend time with Jamey, who is one of my very favorite people ever.


I got to sleep in for the first time in recent memory on Saturday morning. It was beautiful.


Then I met up with my good friend Cale for some (ah-mazing) Chinese food @ New Fun Ree


I got all fancied up and put on a full-length formal dress I haven't worn since I was 19 years old


Cale took me to one of the most amazing events I've ever witnessed, an Indian engagement party. It was quite an experience, one I'll never forget.


We all went dancing following the party


Lauren had a blast! It was a total surprise- no one had any idea that she liked to dance!


We totally ate Jamaican jerk pork nachos at 4am from a bodega outside of the dance club, and it was delicious.
In my entire life I've really eaten pork maybe 4 times... one of them being Saturday night. It was beautiful.


Proof's in the pu...nachos, my friends.


When I got home with Marti Pearl's big bag of stuff from Aunt Jessica she was THRILLED. We spent the evening playing with sidewalk chalk and reading about kittens.


The trip was so much fun, but I couldn't stand to stay away from this face for long.



The best part is, I'm doing it all again tomorrow! My best friend and I will be heading down for a day/night of fun and most likely some more of those amazing pulled pork nachos. YUM. I'm looking forward to it, its been a heckuva week. <3

I'm not big on Valentines Day, in fact I used to protest it in a serious manner... but this year has been amazing.

Surprise Valentines, a happy toddler, potential new clients, and unexpected V-day plans... this has been my very favorite Valentines Day to date. I hope its the same for you all.






Y'all, is that not just downright beautiful?

This is my friend Kristin and her husband John. This is their third Valentines Day apart, and next year he'll be gone as well, which leaves Kristin at home with their 3 small children. This family is strong. Their tremendous love an adoration for each other is inspiring to say the very least.

Happy Valentines Day, thank you for the sacrifices you and your family make. <3

2008 was a year of change, growth, and learning. I wanted to thank my closest friends properly...



Abby - I'll always remember holding your hand on the most important day of your life. Helping you during your labor was a life changing experience for me, and I can't express how thankful I am that you felt comfortable with me being there. You've come so far from where you were, and I'm so proud of the person you are now. I always knew you'd be a good mother, but you've far exceeded every expectation. Ruthie is a beauty and you're doing such a good job. Thank you for being such a strong, amazing lady.



Alex - I've learned from you more about personal growth than anyone else. You're ever changing and learning, and your quest for love, knowledge, and understanding makes me want to follow in your footsteps in so many ways. I'm learning to love myself as much as you love me, and that's important. Thank you.



Bailey - You came back into my life and turned everything upside down in an unexpected and wonderful way this spring. Thank you for being an incredible friend who never ceases to push me out of my comfort zone just a little in order to bring the fun. Thank you for helping to expand my horizons and for always keeping me laughing.



Ben - Never in my life has someone shown so much trust, generosity, and faith without even meeting me in person. To help me in the way you have, you've made it possible for me to do what I do and grow my business to support my family. Thank you for trusting me. I wouldn't be doing all of this without you.



Chelsea - Thank you for allowing me to watch you grow and mature into a beautiful young woman. I'm thrilled to see where you'll go in this big world, and I promise I'll be watching all the way. Love you little sister.



Chris - Its strange to me that our lives have paralleled in the ways they have. We're certainly two people who should always be close, and I can't thank you enough for all of the love and kindness you've shown me. Thank you for being such a good friend and so accommodating this fall. I miss you every day.



Cyndi - You say you're a bitch but I still just don't believe it. You're such an honest friend that I couldn't possibly imagine being without you. We've never even met in person, yet you're one of the first people I talk to when something big is going on in my life. You're one of my closest friends and I love your advice, support, kindness, and stories. You are amazing.



Danelle - Thank you for teaching me to love my weaknesses and embrace my faults by showing me yours and loving so freely. Thank you for listening to me cry and always making me laugh, I miss you so very much.



Emily - Thank you for showing me sides of yourself I never expected to see. You're a true friend, an open book, and probably one of the most confident women I know. I still catch myself being shocked by some of the things you say and do because you absolutely own every situation you're in. Thank you for being an inspiration.



Evan - Thank you for being a constant beacon of love and kindness and for following your dreams. You are truly an inspiration to me.



Jamey - We lost out on a lot of years, but hanging out with you just once made up for it. Its amazing to me when you can pick up where you left off and feel so completely connected to someone. I love you to pieces and I hope to always have you in my life.



Jen - Your generosity and kindness will never cease to amaze me. Thank you for going so far above and beyond anything I could've ever expected of you and your family. Living on your farm this spring was a truly wonderful experience and I am so thankful that I was able to do so. Eating Thai food one Friday night at the cottage with the kiddos playing will always be one of my fondest memories. You are an incredible friend and I love you three so much.



Jessica - You might possibly be the craziest person I know, but its such a good crazy. Your innocence and love is what draws people to you, and the hilarious things that fall out of your mouth are what keep us coming back for more. You're a loyal and wonderful friend. Thank you for always bringing the laughs and love.



Katie - Thank you for sticking to your guns when it comes to raising your child in the way that works for you. Your knack for listening and understanding Olive's needs and wants, and finding a balance between mom and friend is inspirational to say the very least. You don't give a damn about the status quo, instead you've carved out a way of parenting that's exactly perfect for you and Olive. I'm amazed by you and your incredible little girl. Keep on rockin, mama.



Keith - When we speak about connections, we know what we're talking about. Thank you for chemistry and inspiration, thank you for intelligent conversation and laughs. Most of all, thank you for being someone I know I can always go to for any and everything. Hearts.



Liz - You are definitely a different breed of cat. You're independent, strong, opinionated, and you are always doing your own thing. I'm amazed by your friendship and support, and inspired by your love with Drew. I am so proud to call you a friend.



Maegan - You are a loving, genuine friend and I couldn't ask for anything more rewarding than knowing that you're thinking of me, wishing I was there with you. I wish I was too, and I hope that sometime in the near future we'll be close enough to run around together like we used to. Your love, creativity, and light shine out of you in a way that I crave constantly. I miss you so incredibly much. Thank you for being my muse.



Marshall - Transitioning from husband and wife to best friends has been hard, but I feel like we're doing it quite well. Thank you for offering your support and having faith in what I do. Thank you for loving our daughter in the way she deserves to be loved. Most of all, thank you for loving me, even if its in a very different capacity than we're used to.



Mom - Your endless support is always appreciated more than I can show. Thank you for being there for me when I need to cry, yell, vent or laugh. I love you so much.



Meredith - From the moment I saw you I knew I'd love you forever. I became absolutely addicted to you, from your smile to your kindness... you have an innocence and light about you that I found myself wanting to constantly bask in. I have no idea where you're going to go in your life, and I absolutely cannot wait to see. Thank you for being a wonderful friend, a beautiful person, and a tremendous inspiration.



Rachael - I feel like I've known you forever, and in so many ways wish I had... We're so very similar, and I feel like the advice and support you offer me comes completely from the heart. Your kindness is paired with a level of sassy that makes it totally impossible not to love you to pieces. You are adorable, and so is that beautiful baby girl of yours.



Sam - Thank you for teaching me how to build functional friendships with men. Through trial and (obviously quite a bit of) error I've grown and learned how to keep close male friends in a way I never had figured out on my own, and I owe it to maturity, being more confident and sure of myself, but mostly to the loss of our friendship. Thank you.



Wes - Thank you for being such a catalyst for positive change in my life. You shook me awake in a way no one else has, and continue to do so from time to time, just when I need it. Thank you.



Zaynab - We've been best friends since we were 12 years old, and we know each other better than anyone else in the world does. I've learned so many lessons from you over the years that its hard to pinpoint just one or two to thank you for, therefore thank you for being an amazing friend. Thank you for your overwhelming generosity, your constant love, and your support no matter what. Thank you for being my best friend.

One of my closest friends, Liz, has always been incredibly close with her stepdad and when he died of cancer last week I decided to go to his funeral to support her. As I sat nervously in that familiar church with Bean girl wiggling on my lap I realized this was so much bigger than me.

You see, John died of a very aggressive and horrible cancer that came out of nowhere and killed him in a matter of months. His wife, Ada, is a gracious and beautiful woman with a soul you can see for miles. She's got a contagious smile and a look in her eye that tells you she truly knows happiness, she lives for love and family and togetherness... she exudes confidence, strength, and compassion. She and Liz's relationship is a direct reflection of the kind of amazing mother and person she is. I didn't know Ada when she was a single mom, or when she was married to Liz's dad, (who is also an absolutely amazing guy as well) but I've heard stories of her over the years... she's the type of woman who truly deserves the happiness and love she's showering on everyone else. Liz told me once that she was certain her mom had met her match with John, because he was very much the same type of person. I worry about Ada now, only because I know her heart is so broken. I can't imagine how overwhelming it would be to find that person, your match in this crazy world, and to lose them so quickly, so unexpectedly.

Liz stood up at the funeral and told stories of John, of their family, their bond... and she was speaking with so much joy it was obvious how strong their love was. The kind of relationship she had with John is the kind I hope that Marshall and Marti Pearl will have, which brings me to my one and only story about John... which makes me teary eyed and so happy all at the same time.

Liz is an incredible singer. Her voice is so beautiful and she often sings at church. One Sunday she was singing in front of the congregation, with her back to the choir. John sat behind her smiling so big throughout the song and at one point I could tell he was biting his lip a little... a sign of pride that warmed my heart completely. Towards the end of her song he was wiping his eyes with increasing frequency and when she finished, the man next to him patted him on the shoulder and he let out a little sob. He was so overcome by pride for his daughter that it moved him to tears... that's what its all about.

This man lived his life for his family, his amazing wife and intelligent, ambitious children. He said to Liz during his last week here that the most perfect day of his entire life was when he married her mom, and I believe him entirely. To live a life of reflection and service to others is so noble and rare... but to truly find the person you were meant to love forever, to marry that person and begin your lives together... that's the most perfect thing ever. That is heaven. I know for a fact that I'll love again, I know it will be beautiful and fulfilling, everything I've hoped for.

John was truly living his life, and his passing has definitely left a large void. I know Ada is strong enough to make it through, the love and strength she's drawn from her relationship with John will carry on his legacy. I hope he realized what an inspiration he was while he was here, I'm certain everyone else knows it.

Liz and Ada, I love you. Thank you for being in my life.

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~Joyce Maynard


What if we were able to love like we had never been hurt?
To see the good in people regardless of the cynicism we develop from years of loving and losing...
Be the people we always said we would, always wanted to be, simply because we're worth it?
To embark on something no one understands simply because you think it'd make you happy...



Why aren't we? Why can't we? Why am I not living my life like I want my daughter to live hers?

I for one refuse to do it any longer. This is the point where I start enjoying life and everything its bringing me. This is the point where I embrace myself and everything I'm worth.
I choose happiness, and I'm going to go get it.

Dear Target,

Here's the deal, baby... this mama is pissed. This girl ordered a Britax Marathon Car Seat in Cowmooflage, otherwise known as mana from diaper heaven. I was super pumped because I found it for ridiculously cheap. I loved it, it fell into my lap (thanks, My dear Smarmy Mama) and I ordered it with an urgency only a parent could understand. When I ordered it, I realized the deal I was getting was RIDIC, but I was thrilled nonetheless. A huge company like Target gets to make some amazing deals... I'll even make a confession- I broke out the "secret" credit card for this baby.

(I have a feeling you moms out there understand how freaking serious I was about this stupid carseat. And I'm sure you can imagine my immediate disappointment when I received the email stating that I would not be receiving this precious item. In fact, LOADS of moms all over the interwebz felt the same way. Yes, Target let us down.)

I'm a very understanding mama. I'm alright with your shoe aisle looking a little post-Iwo Jima-esque, I don't complain when the quality of (some of) your clothes don't meet my normally lowish standards, hell, I even love you despite the fact that you close earlier than Wal-Mart and don't carry groceries. So much so that I make a special trip to see you once a week...

I'm afraid though, that despite the $25 gift card you sent me via email, I'm just gonna have to say "Nopers" this time around. Here's the deal... there was a mistake made, the carseat was mispriced, that's unfortunate for everyone (except for your customers, of course) but at the end of the day, you as a retailer have let us down. Us working moms (is there any other kind?) who are saving every penny we can, saw a great deal and jumped on it. You then canceled it, leaving us quite unsure of our relationship with you. Yes, we can and will continue to shop there, we'll still spend our money, but will our love be the same? No way, man. You messed up.

Its going to be a difficult road from here on out, you'll still benefit from it of course, but you'll feel our wrath... which I'm sure you can imagine is brutal. (Hell hath no fury like an overworked mom without a rightfully deserved AND PAID FOR carseat, right?) We'll be passive-aggressive with it, letting those grubby little fingers touch things we'd normally avoid at all costs... Our children will suddenly become capable of things you weren't aware of because so far we've been keeping those little mess machines in check... but just you wait- you're going to get it.

I don't threaten often, but when it comes to pb&j fingerprints and sad mamas wishing for cow-printed carseats, I am oh so serious. Prepare yourself.

I do hope that at some point you'll win back my trust, because our love affair has been oh so satisfying up to this point, but we'll see. This girl isn't as romantic as she used to be. I know a few THOUSAND mamas feeling the same way, wishing you'd just make it right. Hell, we're not even asking you to get a babysitter, take us out to dinner, or do the damn dishes, we just want you to follow through with a promise you made to us via your secure online ordering system. One per household, ok... I can deal, just give us that cowmooflage we're missing. Love us like we want you to!

Heather Kendrick-Gerlaugh
Mom of one, currently rocking the non-posh carseat, dreaming of more