Failure Is Not An Option

"Failure is not an option" could be my motto for life. I do not give up easily. I will go down with a major fight. While this motto has served me well in life and led me to some of my greatest achievements, it has also created another monster:  perfection. I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist.

I know this attribute caused my mother much strife in my upbringing. I would hate to know the number of times she read The Strong-Willed Child because of me.

One of my most vivid memories of striving for perfection occurred on a daily basis in elementary school. I would play "Around the World" in my backyard. The object of my version of this game was to make it all the way around and back with out missing a shot. That's how it started. Once I mastered that level, then I would go all the way around and back at a greater distance from the basket. It was a mind game; one I could never escape because there would always be another level as I strived for my idea of perfection.

Perfection didn't just remain on the court. It was an issue in the classroom, in my physique, and later in my teaching career. My wake up call came recently when I heard my son shout as he tore his tower of blocks down, "It's not perfect!"  Whoa, what three year old says that!  I do not want my son to think he has to be perfect. I want him to be himself and know that mistakes are good not evil. We learn from mistakes. We grow from mistakes.

I've watched Hamilton teach himself a new skill. He will repeat it over and over until it is "perfect" in his little eyes. I refuse to let him continue to do this. I wish I would have stopped him this summer as he climbed out of the pool 12758 times until he perfectly hitched his leg over the side of the pool and fluidly climbed out. I need to let him know that Hamilton's version of getting out of the pool doesn't have to look like Kelly Slater 's from Baywatch.

It's time to embrace mistakes, allowing them to mold me into a better wife, a better momma, a better daughter, a better sister, a better friend.

Falling off the workout wagon...

Up until last week, I fell off the workout wagon.  It wasn't until I stepped on the scale that I got a huge heaping dose of reality.  If you aren't expending calories through activity, you can't eat like you are.  The scale doesn't lie.  I was up three pounds, and trust me, it wasn't muscle weight!

We try to eat early in the evening (some might say late afternoon); it works better with our kids.  It also works better for us.  I truly believe you sleep better when your food has had time to properly digest.  Last week, we got in the routine of eating at 5-5:30 and going for a walk after dinner.  This wasn't a leisurely paced walk, we were getting it.  Then, after walking, we let Hamilton play before heading in for baths and bedtime.

This week is a little more hectic.  Jared has meetings at the church two nights, and I'm meeting a college friend for dinner one night; therefore, we won't be on our family exercise schedule.  I'm fitting in my exercise during nap time, and I counted playing in the pool with the chaps as exercise on Tuesday.  Although I haven't weighed myself this week, I am happy to say that more of my pre-pregnancy jeans are fitting.  My goal is to get in those "skinny" jeans in the back of the closet soon!

Tomato Pie

Nothing screams summer in the south quite like warm tomato pie made with tomatoes fresh from the garden.  We had our friends Shannon and Brian over for dinner this past weekend, and Jared (yes, my husband is quite the chef) whipped up this delightful dish while I took care of little Parker's needs.  We don't indulge in this pie often, but when we do, we use the real stuff.  No Greek yogurt here!  Bring on the Duke's!

Tomato Pie

Ingredients:
1 refrigerated pie crust (I like these better than pre-baked crusts)
4 large tomatoes, peeled and sliced
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup green onion
1 cup grated mozzarella
1 cup grated cheddar
1 cup Duke's mayonnaise (no substitutes allowed!)
salt and pepper

Directions:
1.  Roll out crust in a pie dish and crimp the edges.  Bake according to directions on the package.
2.  While the crust is baking, place the tomato slices in a colander in the sink in one layer.  Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes.  If you omit this step, your pie can be too runny.
3.  Once the crust has cooked, layer the tomato slices, basil, and green onions in the pie crust.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4.  Combine the grated cheese and mayonnaise.  Spread mixture on top. Cook for 30 minutes or until lightly browned in a 350 degree oven.

P.S.  I need to work on my photography skills of food...trust me, this is a recipe to make when you have company!  They'll love it!

Calling all Lilly lovers!

Those of you who know me well know that I adore Lilly.  This is probably the number one reason why I have boys.  I would be bankrupt from buying Lilly...she would wear Lilly Pulitzer from the time she rolled out of bed until the time she went back to sleep at night.  It's perfect for the hot summers, and it camouflages most stains (which is one of the reasons the company started).

Today is the first day of the annual Lilly sale.  If you've never shopped it, you should go right now!  Everything gets gone very quickly; surprisingly, this year the site didn't crash as I shopped!  The prices are really low, and the shipping is free.  It really is the best time to buy Lilly!

These are my favorites from the sale...

Janice Shift

Janice Shift Resort White She She Shells

Biltmore Maxi Shift

Lindy Beaded Shift

Anastasia Dress

Callahan Shorts

Marigold Lace Trim Skort

And, of course you cannot forget the little Lilly lovers.  Every year, I buy my niece a few pieces to give to her for her birthday.  It has become our tradition...one that I hope she will come to love as much as me!

Inara Cut-In Shift Dress

Little Lilly Classic Shift

Little Lilly Classic Shift

Girls Tunic Dress

If these prints don't perk up your Monday, I don't know what will!

P.S.  Hubs, did you see my wish list???  You know my size!  :)

Cleaning Hardwood Floors (and really any floor!)

The fastest way to mop floors.  Any cleaning has to be done very quickly if I want to enjoy it before the kids destroy it.  Therefore, I've come up with the fastest way to do almost everything from cleaning the floors to cleaning the bathroom (that post is coming later!).

My full out cleaning days can be counted as my cardio.  I don't know if it's a good thing or not, but I definitely break a sweat.  First, I vacuum my floors and baseboards.  This is my vacuum; it lives up to its name...Titan!

Next, I mix up concoction of 1/2 cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water.  This is a natural, inexpensive way to clean your floors.  The vinegar is acidic enough to break down grime and dirt, but still gentle enough not to mess up the finish on your floors.

Since I speed clean, I have tried several different mops.  This is my favorite.  I like the wide surface area that the mop head covers.  

After every room, I just remove the microfiber cover and rinse it in the bucket.  After wringing it out, I put it back on the mop, and I'm ready to go!

Arm Flab

Parker is constantly on my hip while I do things around the house or run errands.  He has a new habit that I don't appreciate very much.  He loves to squeeze and pinch on my loose tricep skin.  It drives me nuts to have this perpetual reminder that it should be tighter.  It's time to show him who's boss and remove his play area.

Strength training is much more enjoyable than cardio to me.  I'm going to incorporate these exercises into my workouts three times a week.  I'll let you know when Parker has to move on to another pinching spot!

Best Arm Exercises with Weights

Balsamic Glazed Chicken over Spinach

Here's another quick meal that is prepared in two pans!  Woohoo, easy cleanup!

Balsamic Glazed Chicken over Spinach

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons of fresh)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons butter
1 bag of spinach
1/3 cup water

1.  Mix thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.  Pat both sides of chicken breasts with the spice mixture.  Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat.  Add the chicken; cook for 2-3 minutes (or until browned).  Turn chicken and cook the other side until browned.  Transfer to a plate and cover with aluminum foil.

2.  Add water, vinegar, and honey to the skillet.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Boil for 2 minutes or until slightly syrupy and reduced by half.  Add the butter and stir until melted.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and return the chicken to the pan.  Cook for about 3 minutes in the glaze.  Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

3.  If you'd like to serve the chicken over spinach, heat 1/3 cup of water in a large skillet.  Add a bag of spinach (Aldi sells it!  :)) and cover.  Let it cook until it's wilted.  Add salt and pepper.

4.  Serve chicken over spinach.  Drizzle with glaze.

Ok, I might have doused mine instead of drizzling, but you get the idea!  

Parker's Baptism

What a special day!  Parker's baptism was even more emotional for this Mama than Hamilton's.  Maybe it's that I'm older and wiser, maybe it's the fact that I know how fleeting each moment is, or maybe it is Jennifer's voice as she sings "Jesus Loves Me."

Growing up, this verse hung on the refrigerator as a daily reminder to my mom.  She gave me the same verse to hang in Parker's nursery.  It's so special to me; every time I see it, I think of my mom and the incredible job she did with the four of us!

Here are some pictures from John Parker McCall's baptism and celebration.

The decorations were simple.  Lots of baby's breath in mason jars with touches of blue.

 I was pretty proud of myself.  His banner turned out just as I envisioned it!

 Pictures from each month were hung clothesline style in the window.  It's crazy how much he changed from month to month.

 The food table before the food was placed on it.

 The dessert table

  

 Pam from Flowers from the Cellar did an amazing job on the flowers.

 This looks really bad for a baptism luncheon. A little mimosa never hurt anyone!

 I know Jared won't like this picture, but I couldn't resist that smile on Parker's face!

 Outdoor seating

 DeeDee with baby Walt (notice she's also modeling one of Southern Dumplings' rain jackets)

 Papa and Parker

 How many guys does it take to buckle Walt in his car seat?

The following are pictures I took of Parker in his baptism outfit.  He's such a doll!

 I designed and embroidered this onto his bonnet to personalize it for the occasion.