Painting project. Sometimes I'm artisitc.

So, I've been swooning over becoming a mother for about a year now. I have her name picked out and I have the colors of her nursery picked out. Crazy right? I know. But I like to dream. I also pick up little things here and there that I want to decorate my nursery with.  I had an idea to do my own art work too. So I sketched a couple things and produced the first painting. Then I entered reality and decided to put my art work up for grabs. I am highly likely never going to be a mother. I don't want to talk about it. Thank you.

Anyways, I picked my colors when I found this awesome frame. I picked up 2 at Hobby Lobby. Teal, pink and yellow. So the painting follow those colors but would go with many others.

I can't tell you how much I adore my little painting. I didn't want cookie cutter stuff and this is what I came up with.

I was going to do a triplicate of different pictures but the same style but instead it's just going to be a twin set. Ferternal twins. The second canvas is an owl. So cute owl.

I've just starting painting it and will probably have it done by tomorrow. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

So, do you like what you see? Would you buy it? If so how much would you pay for it. I have decided to offer my painting services to you wonderful peaple and any of your friends and family. These being the first up for grabs. I'm going to ask $25 a piece for now and go from there. . These first two are 21x16. If the size is smaller, so is the price. If you'd like your own unique art work for your toddler, tween or infant's bedroom send me an email and I would be happy to discuss an arrangement with you. They would  make fantastic shower gifts and no one else in the world would own anything like it.
My email is Callie.proffitt@gmail.com.

When my bod hurts, when I'm puking, when I'm feeling bad.....My favorite things.

My husband. Even when he's playing a dumb computer game all day.

Baking yummy goodies.

My snuggly puppies and my pillow. Yes my pillow is like a child's blakie and no, I am not ashamed.

And making people happy by making beautiful jewelry.

Oh, how I want a baby!

       My baby, or lack there of, woes. Feel free to skip this post.

    I want a baby! I was never really sure I'd have that feeling. See, I've been an aunt since I was 8. Changing diapers, singing babies to sleep, being the fun aunt and so on and so forth. I now have 38 neices and nephews. I seem to alway be rocking gently rather then just being still. I think its from rocking so many babies. I also found out at the age of 18 that I cannot have children. I have a .02% of conceiving and then if conception happend, a .002% of keeping the baby and myself alive. That fact has never been hard for me. Until now, that is. I want brown babies. I've always wanted brown babies. So having to adopt always felt natural for me. I also have no desire, whatsoever, to pass on my particular genetics. Never have and never will. My desire to have a child started about a year and a half ago at 24 years old. I was shocked really. But I really really really want a baby.
        I had no idea how hard it would be. 3 of my coworkers are pregnant right now and that doesn't make it any easier. I also have 2 siblings who willbe trying to get pregnant in the very near future and I really want to be in on this baby round. I want my children to have cousins their age that they can go to school with and hang with at family functions just like all my other neices and nephews. The adoption process is awful and totally diheartening. It is not anywhere near like just going off birth control. And if you think morning sickness is just as bad as the process then remember, I'm pretty sure I've experienced enough sickness for 20 human beings in my lifetime. So, no I am not taking for granted the fact that with the adoption process I don't have to go through the pains of pregnancy. Do you take for granted the fact that you can use a good portion of you body's orgons while others can't? Especially the most womanly organs. The most endearing organs. If not, I don't blame you. I don't wish the feeling on anyone.
        I feel like I have no future. No ability to progress as a woman. In the state of AZ they do not sever parental rights for 15 to 18 months. So I could get a brand new baby and for 2 years there's a possibility someone could come take it from me. Or I can pay a riculous amount of money to buy myself a baby. I can't handle either of these options. And I don't see myself being able to handle these things anytime in the near, (5 years), future. It's heartbreaking. I don't think I could emotionally handle the idea of knowing that at any moment someone could come take my baby away from me. I also do not have $10,000 to $30,000 just sitting around. I would have to take out a loan. Which is an impossible probability if you know my husband at all. You see what I mean about feeling hopeless in this situation?
            I want a baby. I am 26 years old and have been married 3 years. Do you have any idea what it's like when you can't have children and then people around you, with your same beliefs, start asking why you don't have children yet? I do. It's a slap in the face. I don't blame people though. I am not the norm. Never have been the norm. Can't expect a changed behavior for just one abnormal person.
        I feel like I'm at a stand still. Like life is going but not progressing. It's an awful feeling. I want a baby. It's heartbreaking wanting something so bad and knowing it's not just beyond your reach but galaxy's away from you reach. I want to smell sweet baby smell every morning. I want to change dirty diapers. I want something to hold in my arms while I rock. I want soothe my baby to sleep witth a song. I want to wake up in the middle of the night to feed and burp and care for a tiny little human being. I want to be able to introduce  her to my family and all of her little cousins who will adore her and love her. I want my husband to be able to give his first baby blessing. I want to make burp clothes and baby quilts and decorate a nursery. It's just soooo far out of reach, It's ridiculous.  I dream of my baby and can see her sleeping face. It's cruel to wake up. If my computer could be stained by tears it would be unrecognizable.

Oh, how I want a  baby. Sorry for rambling. It was more for me then it was for you. 

California 2010-Oh yeah, I got hit by a car

No my car did not get hit by car, I got hit by a car. So, I'm in the Walmart parking lot just minding my own business and walking to my car when a huge red truck backs into me. Hard. See no one was parked next to him so he gunned it. My hip and my shoulder felt it the most.

These pictures are about a week and a half later. I need to upload the ones from my phone.

My hip. Although darker, hurt less than my shoulder. But it probably had a bigger knot. No, I did not get his information or his license plate number. Honestly, my first thought was, "at least it wasn't the car". I was driving my sister's car. Plus, he was mexican. 

My shoulder. Totally faded. The blank spot is where he acually hit my arm. The bruising spread all around it. When I got back to the campsite I felt bad for running late. Then I said, "I go hit by a car", and my mom didn't hold it against me. I said, " it doesn't look too bad" and my mom said,

"just you wait, I think it's going to bruise all the way down your arm". Something about blood and gravity I think.

It almost made it to my elbow joint. This is toally faded. Like I said, a week and a half later. I'll post other pictures.

Anyone want to have a worst luck contest?

No.

That's probably a good idea, cause I would totally whoop you all.

My wedding dress

So my sister went through her cclsoets and found her wedding dress so she put it on and took pictures and sent them to the family. She told the rest of us to put ours on and take pictures and share them so I did. Then I thought I'd share with you.

I think my sister is more impressive cause she had children and I haven't and never will. However. My rib cage is the biggest part of me and my dress was fitted to my ribs. Therefore, I'll probably always be able to put it on.

I still love my dress. Love love love it. Maybe one of my neices will want to wear it one day.

Beach 2010

So, this family vacation started way before I was born. My mom used to pack up all 11 of us and take us to Carlsbad state park and camp for 3 weeks. Yes, 3 weeks. My dad would join us for the last week. My parents grew up in California and love the beach and the same love was born in to the rest of us. Well, most of us. My oldest brother got married and brought his wife along. Then my oldest sister got married and brought her husband along and so on and so forth. Now about 50 of us plan a week long trip to California every year. We outgrew Carlsbad state beach and we only go for one week instead of 3. This year as I watched my neices and nephews body surf and sit out by the fire and play games I wondered if they will continue the tradition and bring their spouses and children. Technically we could get like 10-15 camp sites in the area we go to now as long as the KOA sticks around. We'll just have to see.

This is our youngest baby right now. Cassie's youngest girl, Laney. She LOVED the ocean.



Even in freezing cold, body numbing water, this girl was in the water and loving it.

I'm sure Cassie's feet went numb several times. She's get knocked over and head right back in with Cassie chasing after her.

She'd get so excited and flap her little hands in an excited dance. So cute. I have a video but I can't figure out how to upload it.

Isn't she so cute?! A bit cranky at times but super cute. She liked my flip flops.

The teen girls. I got Danica to look at me by aiming the camera and then calling her name. Smart right?

Ike, happy to be at the beach. Yes, blankies make it to the beach as well. There's still nap time you know.

Brianne with Ryker. (sp?) He was a bit sick and cranky too sometimes but so sweet. I got to hold him one day for like 3 hours and he just snuggled. I think it was a day he didn't feel well. I knew the feeling and I think we bonded over our misery.

Jannalee with Laney in the water. Giving Cassie a break from freezing feet.

So, I'm reading a book and my mom is sitting next to me and says, "is that us", while pointing out to the ocean. Normally 'us' is my brother in laws and sisters. But I looked around and noticed they  were all still on the beach. Turns out the 'us' was my nieces and nephews. Check them out. They're the little huddle of tiny black dots in the distance.

Next generation body surfers right there. Last year I saw the 12 year olds out there in the very deep water of the ocean and thought, "man, what are we thinking letting them out that far". Then I reminded myself that I've been going out that far since I was around six. My dad or a brother in law would hold me on my belly as a wave was coming and would yell, "kick kick kick kick" and that was how I learned to body surf.

And now the next generation is out there doing the same thing. I treaded water back then and I tread water now. I'm 5'2" and rarely reach the ocean floor. Beyond the break is one of my favorite places to be. Most comfortable and secure places and I am so glad that feeling and love has been passed to the next generation and I hope it continues on into the next generation.

The yearly California trip is probably my favorite thing ever. Oh, and we just sit on the beach all day. None of the, we have to be here and then we have to be there and make sure your here at this time, kind of things. We pack up lunches, cabanas, beach blankets, towels, chairs and kids and sit on the beach for about 6 hours. We read books and watch kids and snack and watch the new babies learn all the new joys that are the beach. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to pass the love onto to my own offspring. 

Strawberries and cream muffin tops

So, how many of you get a nice scrumptiously delicious muffin and only eat the top with the crumbly part? I don't. I actually enjoy the whole muffin. In fact I generally prefer the bottom part. I tend to not be the norm however. My husband especially just loves the top with crumbly stuff on top. Therefore I have been toying with the idea of Muffin Tops. That's right. Just the top part WITH the crumbly deliciousness. I am happy to say I have now PERFECTED my idea. Including the yummy crumbly deliciousness. It is my pleasure to introduce to you the Strawberries and cream Muffin tops. Ta Da!

Like I said, even the crumbly top.

It took me 3 tries to perfect this idea. First there were, blueberry white chocolate muffin tops. They were good but too big and too sweet for my taste. The consensus from my salon, however, was that they were delicious. Even the pregnant coworker who didn't like much of anything liked them. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist though. Then I tried banana chocolate chip muffin top. That one failed miserably, but I am determined to try that one again. And then strawberries went on sale and I thought it was time to try again. I have to say that these are absolutely fabulous and sooooo scrumptious. I used strawberries but you could pretty much use any fruit.

Strawberries and Cream Muffin Tops
1/2 Cup softened Cream Cheese
6 Tablespoons of butter
2 eggs
whisk these 3 ingredients together until creamy
2 1/4 Cup flour
1 Cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon of Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1 1/2 Cup chopped strawberries/blueberries/raspberries/blackberries/mix of all.
mix together thouroughly in a large bowl. Then add creamed ingredients and fold together. Add just enough milk to make all ingredients moist. Your dough will be lumpy. This is a good thing. Do not over mix.
1/8 Cup to 1/4 cup milk or evaporated milk.
CRUMBLY TOP-(I don't know how I feel about sharing this secret)
2/3 Cup white chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons butter
Melt. Start with 30 sec then stir. If not smooth heat for an additional 10 sec at a time. If it start to get grainy to not heat anymore just add flour.
3/4 cups of flour.
cut flour into butter and chocolate with knifes until crumbly.

drop muffin batter onto greased cookie sheet in 1/8 cup or 2 Tablesoon lumps. Kind of like cookies but a little bigger. Top with good amount of crumble. Bake at 350 for 15 min.