JUST BECAUSE.......It's Funny, Gorgeous, Cool, Boho, Good For You, True, Special, and Wise...........

So, what on earth is a blog post titled 

JUST BECAUSE?

It's a blog post from someone whose brain is somewhat fried,

who saw a bunch of random things and thought

"Why can't I share that on my blog?"

"Why does it have to make sense?"

So here we go, JUST BECAUSE!

Just because this made me laugh:)

Just Because this may be the most GORGEOUS Cupcake ever!

Just Because I have ALWAYS loved this idea....

and when my daughter eventually goes away to school, I will do this.

A packet of letters for various occasions/moods/moments

 when she may want or need a note from me.

Just Because I think these letters are so COOL and BOHO and perfect for spelling the word 

"WANDER"  

 (letters from Urban Outfitters)

Just Because this is something good to know and good for you!

 Just Because this is another great idea.......instead of fixing all our little issues all at once, plug away at them month by month, setting NEW habits in the process!

 

Just Because this is so stinking cute and clever and makes me SMILE!

 Just Because this is so true.  

 Just Because we all need a break once in awhile, right?

Just Because I MISS TUTUS and BALLET so much, especially my beautiful daughter's dancing.....and I even miss being a Dance Mom.......but the good kind:)

 Just because I think this is an awesome quote and the girl could be one of my daughters.

Just Because I love horses and if I could have one, it would look like this!

Just Because it's almost Summer and therefore it's swimsuit time.......so it's time to get to work:)

Just Because I love throwing parties for kids way more than adults,

I love fussing over cute treats,

I miss these days and I can't wait to be a Grandma.  Or a GiGI.  Or a Memaw.

Or whatever the heck they want to call me......... on a regular basis.

And also Just Because I love yummy and EASY treats and this looks like

cupcakes with gumdrops, gumdrop slices and peach rings!

Just Because I LOVE my dogs and believe this with my whole heart!

Just Because I love jars, and flowers, and burlap, and lace!

Just Because I believe this!  Sometimes I need to be reminded of this.  Oftentimes.  But I always believe it.  And I hope you do too. <3 p="">

When Good things Happen to Good People. . . . .

and by "good" people,

i am referring to my daughter, Taylor.

for as long as i can remember, she has twirled her way through life.

(okay, run into a few walls, knocked over a Christmas tree here and there:)

but piroutte every chance she got.

she sacrificed a lot of typical teenage moments

(which, in today's world, probably contributed to her NOT getting messed up:)

all so she could pursue her dream.

every summer she auditions for a summer intensive at a ballet school.

but this year, it was a bit different.

she auditioned for a summer program,

hoping to get noticed throughout the summer

and asked to stay to continue training next school year.

that is the hope.

however,

when she auditioned for the summer program at 

the Joffrey Ballet Academy of Dance Chicago,  they did more than accept her

for the summer.

they gave her a spot in the Joffrey Trainee program for the Fall, also.

exciting days for this ballerina, I can tell you.

exciting and scary, at least for her mama:)

so, as she finishes up her high school courses and 

has rehearsals for Swan Lake with her studio,

she has a lot to look forward to, and a lot to think about.

i would appreciate any and all prayers for my little girl as she

steps out into the professional world,

and for her family who is very happy and extremely proud and supportive,

but who will miss her terribly.

                                    

go after the dream you have worked so hard for.

 and always know that if you should ever choose another path,

we'll always be here for you;)

we love you Taylorina!!!!!

xoxoxoxo

Mummy:)

Sisters, South Beach and Smooches. . . . .

have you heard of South Beach?

it's one of those places that goes by more of a nickname 

than the actual location.

south beach, SOBE. . . .

it is actually Miami Beach. . . .

or more correctly, SOUTH Miami Beach,

which explains the name "South Beach".

so, have you heard of it?

maybe you saw it in the movie

The Birdcage with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.

Hysterical when it came out, and kinda/sorta true:)

South Beach has quite a reputation for being a FUN place,

Beautiful Beaches, cool refurbished art deco hotels. . . . .

and a crazy side.

yes, DEFINITELY a crazy side.

all too wild.

but parts are kinda cool and very pretty.

like the beach, and the boardwalk along the beach.

we were in south beach last Sunday, so here are a few pics. . . . .

GORGEOUS water!

lots of celebrities stop by south beach.

and where celebrities go,

the PAPARAZZI will be there also!

yep...there they are. . . .the paparazzi.

apparently some model was on the beach with her friend and let me tell you,

she didn't move a toe in the sand without them snapping away.

personally, i think they should've been snapping pics of my partner in crime,

Jordan.

we were in south beach for Taylorina 

to attend

an audition for Ballet Austin (Texas) 

that was held at Miami City Ballet.

fun times.

well for me and Jordan.

maybe not her.

she had to work:)

 probably more than the beauty of the shimmering turquoise Atlantic,

was the beauty i caught on my own iphone camera.

i went to the car because the meter was almost up and

Taylor was not yet out.

Jordan stayed at MCB to wait for her and show her where we were parked.

as they walked to the car, i caught a glimpse of them as sisters.

and it was so special.

they were walking, talking, laughing. . . . . .

being sisters.

and it was such a beautiful sight for me.

they have their moments.

oh yes!

but they truly love each other.

and that's all i could have ever hoped for, especially through these

teenage years.

yes, sisters are special.

i have three of my own.

 and i know how very blessed i am!

sisters.

they had their moments.

they STILL have their moments.

moments one of them just feel this need to drive the other one crazy.

on purpose.

gotta laugh sometimes, right?

now, i believe i mentioned "smooches" in the title of my blog post.

so here you go. . . .

hey sweet boy. . . . .i'd sign up for a smooch from you!:)

xoxoxo

Suzanne

"who can turn the world on with her smile????"

"who can take a nothing day,
and suddenly make it all seem worth while?
well it's you girl, and you should know it,
with each glance and every little movement you show it. . . ."

i know what you're thinking.
you're thinking that song is from the Mary Tyler Moore Show,
and this post must be about her.

well, you're partially right.
it IS from the MTM show. . . . .
but this isn't about her.

it's about another beautiful girl,
 who lights up a room with her smile and laughter.
who makes people happy everywhere she goes.

who loves children and old people and animals,
who sings while she works. . . . .and when she rides her bike.
who skips and twirls through the house. . . .and through life.

this beautiful girl is my daughter, Taylor.
and this past week, she turned 18 years old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!!!

i literally don't have it in me to write a sweet, tender,
emotional blog post.
i will be a big fat crying MESS if i do.
that's how it goes around here.
because just yesterday you were about this big. . . . . .

yes, we watch the Mary Tyler Moore Show,
and YES. . . . .i often cry during the theme song.
because that is my Taylor they are talking about.
and soon, i know, she will leave home and try to
"make it on her own" like Mary Tyler Moore.

and you know what?
she WILL make it.

and i WILL write her a long letter for her to keep always,
like the one you might think I would put on my blog.
but that will be for me and Taylor alone.
as it should be.
(you see Taylor, i don't ALWAYS blab my big mouth on my blog.)
hahaha

you'll have to take it from me when i say she is an
AMAZING young lady.
she is KIND, thoughtful, fun, smart, carefree, responsible, easy going,
talented, friendly, moral and a lovely Daughter of the King.

she is a throwback to another time.
a time when girls grew up to be ladies and expected to be treated like one.
she is a mix of Mary Tyler Moore,

Audrey Hepburn, 

and Doris Day. . . .

with a little bit of Lucille Ball and Mary Poppins thrown in for FUN:)

she believes in wearing ruffled aprons while cooking and taking care of others,
Taylor is one great little hostess.
she loves pearls, lace and charm bracelets.
everything from show tunes to country music.

don't get me wrong. . . .
she does very well in this world, she just prefers vintage.
she can throw on a bathing suit, hop in her mini cooper and head to the beach
to catch a wave with the best of them.

but if she had her way, she'd be at a cozy tearoom instead:)

soon she'll be headed into the world to try and make her mark
as a professional ballerina.

i pray this works for her, because she has dedicated
 her young life to it completely.
happily.
but if it doesn't, if God has other plans for her,
she will be just fine.
she has a good head on her shoulders and is intrigued by many careers.
(if anybody needed 9 lives, it's Taylor.)

my one request, Taylor, is this. . . . .
as you go into this big, bad world,
please remember that with the freedom you now have to make your own decisions,
comes the RESPONSIBILITY to make the right ones.
remember you are never truly alone.
yes, you have me, to be at your side in an instant,
but even better than me, you have God by your side.
He will help you with those decisions, i promise:)
now, more than ever, you have to make good choices,
especially in the friends you choose to be close to.

did you think that lecture was over?
haha. . . .never!

you are a blessing to me every single day.
now i have to think about sharing you with the world.
that smile.  that laugh.  that sunshine.

i suppose i can't be selfish, can i?
Darn!!!:)

i hope you had a WONDERFUL birthday. . . . .

and i know you will have a wonderful year.
don't let ANYBODY try to change you.
ever.

you're perfect just the way you are.
(even if you drive me a little crazy sometimes:) haha. . . .just kidding

from the very first moment, you were my "little girlfriend."
now that you're 18, you're still my "girlfriend."
and i look forward to many special girlfriend moments together.

I LOVE YOU TAYLORINA!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
mama