1. My hubby got an ipad yesterday, which was a combination Father's day gift but mostly a "job well done" gift from his Father (who also happens to be one of his bosses). No, I am not jealous because he's great at sharing :) Anyone have ipad apps they love or hate? Tell us what to get! Any really cool kids books or games we should know about?

2. If you don't already know this, my husband and I have completely opposite musical tastes which used to be considered cool on both our parts but now it pretty much drives us nuts around the house, in the car, etc. Do others of you struggle with this? Do you compromise or just not listen to anything in each other's presence? We do have a little overlap but you can only listen to so much Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville on XM :)

3. As we were taking an after dinner walk in our 'hood - a sweet neighbor commented "my how your gang is growing" and I repiled "we look like a stinking parade!" I laughed at myself but we really did! Matt walking Dozer on the leash while pulling the twins in the wagon (they were eating the firecracker popsicles dripping red, white & blue all over one another). I was on the other side pushing Max in the snap n go. My how life has changed in the last 5 years...our poor dog :)

4. My husband is dancing right now with our 3 week old to try to get rid of his hiccups..it's hilarious and endearing! Lets just say hubby isn't known for his rhythm!

5. Wanna' know what I got Matt for Father's Day? These Toms Shoes! If you aren't familiar with Toms, it's a really neat company who gives a pair of shoes away to a child in need in for every pair of shoes purchased. So Matt got a pair and a kid some where in the world got a new pair too!

6. Ladies, this is no joke if you ever need a fast & cheap pedicure check these out...SERIOUSLY don't be freaked out...they really work and look like perfection! Ask me how I know next time I have a perfectly french manicured foot!

7. I confess...I have the Bachelorette on right now. Every season after constantly rolling my eyes at all the shenanigans I swear the show off...but summer Mondays are dead otherwise on the tube so I return...only to eye roll some more! I mean Bentley...REALLY?! I give Ames two thumbs up right now & hope the rest of those turkeys run! **The fact that they are literally fighting on this episode has even drawn my husbands attention**

8. Summer to me is warm days, windows down, lemonade and good country music with some splashes of classic rock thrown in (Matt would completely disagree on the country part of that statement).

I came to the realization today that maybe the reason I can relate is that my life is a combination of country song's at the moment..so indulge me and check out the similarities!

Lets start with Phil Vassar's "Just Another Day in Paradise"

The kids screaming, phone ringing
Dog barking at the mailman bringing
That stack of bills - overdue
Good morning baby, how are you?
Got a half hour, quick shower
Take a drink of milk but the milk's gone sour
My funny face makes you laugh
Twist the top on and I put it back
There goes the washing machine
Baby, don't kick it.
I promise I'll fix it
Long about a million other things

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Which leads into "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Adkins

'Cause You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this

Which leads into "Alright" by Darius Rucker

Cause I've got a roof over my head,
the (man) I love laying in my bed
And it's alright, alright
I've got shoes under my feet
Forever in (his) eyes staring back at me
And it's alright, alright
And I've got all I need

Which can all be summed up by "Blessed" by Martina McBride

At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones
That love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Be blessed friends! Hope your Monday was a good one!

Emily Troutman Photography