Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Birthday Do-Over!

So, if you have kept up, you know that my bday was kind of a bust. So this weekend, my wonderful family made it up to me! Let's start with my Girl's Night!!

Shane and Tara planned a night where the girls would take me out to my favorite Mexican restaurant!! I was so excited and I love them for doing this for me!! Tara even got me a Cookie Cake - MY FAVORITE!!!

Me opening a present from Jessica - Some gorgeous champagne potato pearls!! I am not one of those women that "glow" when they are pregnant, so just bare with me over the next 7 months =)!
Me and Jess - showing off my pearls!!Claire checking out the matching earrings!Tara and MomTara and Jess!Me, Mom, Tara and Claire (Nicole couldn't make it that night...boooooo clinicals =)) Me and Amanda at the restaurant...and my virgin margarita =) Claire being cute with Nonna =)
Then Friday night they had my family birthday party!! Once again, a mexican theme with the cutest cake from Ricks!! Please excuse how tired I look in these pics, I am ready for bed at 6 every night =).
All of us - oh these are not flattering of me, but oh well...Me and OO loving some cake!!Claire was just chilling that night...
Then Saturday night, Shane took me to one of my favorite restaurants, Ruth's Chris. Shane's parents watched Claire and Owen for us. We also took Brooke and Mitch there for their bday since we had to miss their parties (their birthdays are just a week before mine) due to the many illnesses in our family. We had such a good time and the food was AMAZING!!

This picture cracks me up - I got all ready and could not decide on which boots to wear. The verdict was the red cowboy boots, that me and Claire liked, Shane voted on others. Claire saw me get my camera to take with me and said "Mama let me take a picture of you in your new dress and those awesome boots...and your big belly". Thanks Claire!Brooke and Mitch
Me and Shane
Now to the good stuff...my presents from Shane and the kids!! On my birthday weekend, pink eye and all, Shane took me out to pick out a new breakfast nook table and chairs from the kids. They have kind of trashed my other one and they wanted to replace it =). They just delivered it today and here it is...It is is pretty much the same as the last one, but I added a black leather bench for the kids...I LOVE IT!!
Our first dinner at it tonight...Claire was asleep and would not wake up for dinner so she is MIA!
Check out the grape and orange crush...you know that you are in a house with a pregnant woman when you have that =)!
Then that night Mom and Jake took the kids to the movies and Shane took me out for dinner to Shogun. I had no make up on and my eyes looked terrible, but he was so sweet to still take me out =). The best part, he took me ring shopping and bought me this...
I have been wanting to start collecting heirloom jewelry to give to Claire (and maybe this baby) one day. I am in love with this ring and wear it on my right hand. It is an Aquamarine stone surrounded by diamonds and champagne diamonds!!! I picked it up this past Friday and have not stopped staring at it =)! I think it is my Birthday / Valentine's Day / Pregnant for the third time gift =)! Claire did surprise me (thanks Nonna) with this cute box to keep my rings in for my birthday =).
My birthday turned out wonderful!! It is great to be 28!! Much love to all my family and friends that made it so special!!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Answers!!!!

Happy Monday (yeah right =))! Hope you had a great weekend!! I actually had my best weekend in weeks and I can't wait to post about it, but first here are my answers to all your great questions...



Sarah said...
Okay here's my question.....where do you get your decorating ideas from??? I just love the way your office is decorated! Where do you get your inspiration?



Thanks Sarah!! I have to give all my decorating ability genes and learnings from my Mom. Her house is unbelievable and I learn from her. I like to decorate in the things I like, it is just that simple! I look at magazines and I love to shop at fun home boutiques, but I love a bargain and am always looking for them. My style is every eclectic, but still traditional and not too edgy. I seriously just do what I like. My favorite color is red, so 75% of the rooms in my house has red in it. We love to entertain and a main focus when building and decorating our house was that it would be easy to entertain in. I am also very conscientious of things being functional, since I do have 2 rowdy kids and 2 dogs...and a husband =). We seriously LIVE in this house and I wouldn't have it any other way!


As far as my office, it is one of my favorite rooms in the house! My inspiration came from the vintage L'Oreal poster I won at an auction at one of our sales meetings. L'Oreal is a very New York City, urban company. I wanted to give my office that feel, but still make it Rachel.



Lindsey said...
How did you and your hubs meet?What was your fave part of your wedding day?



Shane and I are high school sweethearts, we met when I was 15! Please go here where I wrote the whole story last year. I think it is a sweet story =)!!


My favorite part of my wedding day was when we entered the reception for the first time as husband and wife. Then we walked around to every table and greeted each and every guest. It was such an awesome feeling seeing all of our friends and family there together for us. And of course, I LOVED walking down the aisle to My Shane!


CAMoore said...
Ok - so my question is HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME WITH STAYING HOME WITH KIDS AND WORKING FOR A WMT VENDOR!? You must be super mommy! I am in the same situation with my job and I love being home with Cyler, but some days I think I will never see the end. Any tips for this new mommy/new to the working from home scene!



Oh Amanda - I remember how I felt in the beginning!!! When Claire was born, I thought I would have no problem working from home with an infant, you know they just slept all the time!!! Well, fast forward to my first conference call and I had to mute my end as Claire was screaming the entire time, when I would have to talk, I would hurry and take it off mute, with her screaming and say my piece, then turn the mute back on. Luckily, the others on the call got more amusement out of it, but I was so mortified. So, how do I do it??? It has taken me a long time to figure out the time management piece. I always get up with the kids in the mornings and eat breakfast with them. That is my thing I always do. On preschool days, I want to always be the one to take them to school. It has pretty much become known with my Team that is my morning plan. Now of course other things sometimes come up and I don't get my way, but I always try. Now that they are going to school two days a week, 9-1, I get ALOT of my work done then. Then everyday, I work while Owen sleeps in the afternoon and Claire is old enough to play on her own or watch a movie. I have help on other days from my Mom as she comes over and watches them when needed. On the days that they are not in school, she helps me so much. We also always try to get out those days and do lunch and run errands (...or hit the mall). The truth - I am not afraid to let a call go to voicemail and call them right back and I plan A TON around my kids. They come first and that is why I work from home. I have been known to even work at night after the munchkins are in bed rather than get something done during the day. You have to find that happy medium and really plan your time accordingly. I do have to travel some and there is a couple months a year where I am away from my home office a couple days a week, but I think the rest of the year makes up for it. I have an awesome job and work for an AMAZING company, I literally thank God everyday for it!! You will figure it out...that is why we are Mom's, we can manage EVERYTHING!!! =)


Carolyn said...
I would like to know where you came up with Rhett or Bree as the newest babies names. Are they family names?



Great questions C!! I love to talk baby names!! I think it is very important to use family names somewhere in your kids names. Luckily, Shane and I have some great names to use and each of our kids have one. We also had favorite "non family" names chosen, so we wanted to use them to. So here is how they work:


Claire Isabella - My maiden name is "Caire" so that is where I got Claire. I have always loved Isabella so we used that as her middle name.


Owen Keith - Owen was one of my most favorite boy names and we have a thing for short name, one syllable names =). Keith is Shane's dad's name and I have always loved it.


Rhett Wilson - Rhett is after our favorite movie, Gone with the Wind. Wilson is my great- grandfather's name, Mom's side.


Bree Leighton - We love Bree (again the short name =)) and Leighton is Shane's middle name. I have always loved it and that was a close second for our boy name.


My name is Megan... said...
Now that you have a boy and a girl...what do you hope #3 is?? What do you feel it is??



I will be honest, I went into this third pregnancy, wanting another girl. I really wanted Claire to have a sister (and all I could see is the adorable head bands =)). But the further I come along, I would love to see Owen have a brother close to his age. Boys and girls are sooooo different and I have found pros and cons for both. At this point, I can honestly say that either way I will be in no way disappointed.....although if it is a girl, we will be a little more short in the bank account =).


Today, I feel like it is a boy. Ask me again tomorrow =). I think it is so funny though that yall are so split...look at the poll on my sidebar =)!!!


Elizabeth said...
I'm getting married in May...where did you and your hubster register for your wedding?



Congratulations Elizabeth!! Your question made me giggle as I had to think a ways back!! We registered at Penneys, Pier One, and Wal-Mart. I cannot even imagine where I would now as there are so many more places since 2001!! Have fun and register for EVERYTHING!! You will wish you had =)!!


The Heckathorns said...
Hello pretty lady! My questions are:1. Do you ever drive Shane crazy with all your parties and shopping? (LOL, if he doesn't go nuts, he's a saint! Haha!)2. Do you talk to people we graduated with often?3. What kind of dog is Oscar Chang and why did you name him that? (he's a cutie, but I want Tara's schnorkie! Haha!)



1. Crazy with shopping - YES!!! I am getting better, but I think I am responsible for some of the balding on poor Shane's head =). Parties - NO - Shane loves the parties too, he just may not tell you that =)!! As long as I do not go overboard in BUYING things for the parties, he enjoys them. I was lucky enough to marry a man that grew up in a house that was always entertaining!! Becky Brown is a pro =)!


2. I keep in touch with a few, but we rarely see each other. I hate that, but we are all so busy.


3. Oscar Chang is a French Bulldog. We bought him from a sweet family that already named him, but he looks like an Oscar and I love it!! There last name was Chang. Oscar is a sweetie and Owen's best friend =). BTW - Sadie Jane is the sweetest dog ever and I recommend her to EVERYONE!!

Maggie said...
OK, since I know you pretty well already... I want you to tell the Taca Bucca story. LOLOL!!! =)



Thanks Maggie =) - Okay when I was little, I decided that I did not like my name anymore. So I went to my Mom and Nina and told them that I wanted to change my name. They said "Okay, what do you want to change it to?" They were thinking I had some pretty, girly name picked out....no. I told them I wanted to change it to "TacaBucca". It is pronounced kind of like "Taco Butt" as that is what one of the older ladies in my family thought I said. So FOREVER I have been known as TacaBucca in my family. Never going to live it down....


Alyssa said...
Ok, I have a few.1. Will you help me decorate my Christmas trees? haha (No, really!) 2. Do you have a cleaning lady? (and her phone number : ))3. Where did you go to High School & College?4. How are you & your sisters alike/different?5. Where did you get married?



1. Yes - I would love to!! Seriously, would LOVE to!!

2. No not right now. I had one, she was crazy and smelled funny. We let her go and I have yet to find her replacement. When you find one please let me know - if you could see my house right now you will know that this pregnant Mama has pretty much boycotted cleaning =)!

3. I went to Springdale High School and I went a year to NWACC.

4. Wow - this is a big question! We are alike in the fact that we are very passionate about family and would do anything for each other. Never cross a sister scorned...=). When something happens to one of us, we are always there for each other, and ready to kick some one's butt =). We are different in the fact that I am the older, bossy one. I like to think I am always in control =) Tara is the middle, emotional and will do anything for anyone. Tara is the most generous person I have ever known. Nicole is the youngest, quiet, but hilarious. Nicole is also probably the toughest out of all of us =). Oh yeah - we were all hit with the tons of hair gene and pretty much are known for it (especially the other 2).

5. I was married in Rogers at the Pinnacle Country Club.


writing4612 said...
I have a few questions up my sleeve.Did Claire and Owen do anything special for you on your birthday,and if so, what?What is your favorite thing about having sisters?



I will post later on the birthday presents =), but I was blessed with wonderful gifts this year!


My favorite thing about sisters - I have best friends for life! I am serious when I say they are the first ones I call (after Shane) for everything and they are my very best friends. It took until we got older to figure this out, but now we have so much fun together. Our Mom is in there with us, we are one fun bunch if I say so myself =) We love to eat out together or sit at my house with the many dogs between us and Miss Claire and just talk. I talk to Tara everyday. I see her almost everyday =). Nicole is finishing school in Joplin, but she is moving home this summer and we can't wait!!


Lane said...
I know so much about you too but I'm not sure what your favorite food is, so...what is your favorite food?



Favorite food right now - MEXICAN FOOD and any pie with meringue!!!!


Tara Gibson said...
What is your must have beauty product? What is your favorite place you have traveled too? What is your favorite date type thing to do with Shane? What is the first alcoholic drink you will have when Brown baby #3 is here?and WHO IS YOUR FAV SISTER : )



My must have beauty product(s) - Eyeliner (L'Oreal Telescopic in either charcoal or dark brown) and lip gloss (L'Oreal Infallible Gloss) and Mascara (L'Oreal Beauty Tubes) Without these - I look like I am asleep =)


My favorite date thing with Shane - Dinner and drinks!

Favorite place I have traveled to: I am pretty simple - either Gulf Shores or West Palm Beach - Mexico sometimes makes me nervous and the Bahamas was over rated.


First Alcoholic drink after the little one - MARGARITA!!!!!


FAV SISTER - Pleading the 5th!


Chad & Ashley said...
So my question is: Where were you born and raised? Have you always lived in Arkansas?



I was born and raised in Springdale, AR. Yes, I have always lived in Arkansas!


Kristy said...
My questions- How did you get into the job that you have? Do have an opening for a teacher who wants to be a stayathome working mom, too? Ha ha ...And What is your biggest pet peeve?




As soon as I found out I was pregnant with Claire, I started looking. I had worked in the same industry (WM Vendor Category Management) for years. Finally when I was 6 months pregnant (yes I interviewed pregnant, not fun), I accepted a great job with a different company. Eventually they started an office here. When I was pregnant with O, I had to start looking again, pregnant! I found this awesome job at 5 months pregnant and LOVE it!!


You should home school =)!


Biggest pet peeve - I hope I don't offend anyone, but the liberal media. I don't even watch national news anymore.


Lane said...
Ok, I have another one. Besides the vendor world, what type of job/career would you want to have? (can't be a stay at home mom!)



If I could have another career it would be event planning! I would love to plan extravagant children's birthday parties and such. Never going to happen, but I can do my 3 kids!!


Andrea said...
Here is my question - we also have a pug, his name is Toby. But he is the stinkiest dog ever. Are you able to keep Cooper smelling fresh - and if so, how???



We try to take Cooper to the groomer about every other month for a good bath and shaving. We keep him cut to reduce shedding and to keep him cool. They use the best smelling doggy cologne there that makes him smell good for weeks...but as soon as it wears off, yeah, not so fresh =). We try to give baths to both him and Oscar every other week, but that only lasts a few days. Sorry I am not much help, but at least they are cute =)


Alyssa said...
this is my third comment on this post. eek! Which girl from Sex and the City do you think you are most like?



Hmmm - I don't know really??? Tara - you answer this one!!

amywelborn said...
Here's my question...do you still love your dogs the same now that you have kids?? (I can't stand mine anymore...I'm terrible aren't I?)



Your not terrible!!! Here's the deal - no, Cooper is not as much a priority as he used to be. He used to be my baby and I even dressed him up (nothing to the degree of Tara and Sadie =). But since Claire and then O, he kind of got the shaft. But now, he has new owners, Claire and Owen. He loves them and they LOVE him too. I don't feel as bad now since they play with him all the time and give him attention. When we added Oscar, he was for Cooper and Owen. They get attention from me and Shane at night when the kids are in bed and they seem to be perfectly fine with that.


Stylish Housewife said...
Ok, my question is how long you waited after you were married to have Claire? I just recently got married and am debating when to start a family. How did you get into working for wal-mart vendors? I am trying to find a job with a vendor...any helpful hints? What do you guys do for a fun Saturday/ weekend?Do you guys go to a church in NWA?



Claire was a pleasant surprise when we had been married for almost 2 years. I kind of had a nervous breakdown at first, but now would not change it for the world. I was only 22 when I had her and I have to tell you the difference in having her at 22 and this baby at 28 is HUGE!! This baby is kicking my butt!! I don't know how these little bit older Moms do it, they are stronger than me!!


I had a lucky break when I was 18. My uncle was the director for a big vendor office and hired me as a receptionist and hot line operator. I learned everything I could and moved up within 6 months. I worked for them for 2.5 years and then made relationships with recruiters around here. From then on, I have used them to get me in good roles. If you are new to the business, start at an entry level position with a good company and absorb EVERYTHING!! The rest will fall into place =)


My perfect Saturday - Shopping and lunch with Tara, Nicole, Mom, and Claire (and BFF Jessica) all day. That night - dress up the kids in something cute, wear something new from that day of shopping and all of us go out to eat (all of us meaning my crew, Mom and Jake, Tara and Drew, and Nicole and the flavor of the week, and Jess) to our favorite Mexican restaurant. Then come back to our house and visiting all night. This is the most fun in the summer!!!!


We go to Southside Church of Christ in Rogers - We love it and we are members of a great small group!! They have a great children's program that Claire and Owen love - if you are interested comment again and we can hook up =)!


morewineplease said...
what is it that you do for Loreal?? AND what is your favorite product they make?



I am the Hair Color Category Manager for Wal-Mart. When you go to a WM, and go to the Hair Color section, how it looks, the shades that are available, are all things I work on. I know more about Home Hair Color than you could ever imagine. I LOVE IT!!


My favorite product changes from season to season, but my favorite L'Oreal Paris product is the new mascara Double Extend Beauty Tubes. Go here to see it, THEY ARE AWESOME!!!!



Holli said...
Here are my questions: Who do you leave your kids with when you go out with your hubby? And How often do you and your hubby go on dates?

We are fortunate enought to have all of our family here. So when we want to go out if we cannot get either of our parents, we get one of our teenage cousins to baby sit. The kids love them and we pay well =). There once was a time when we were doing the sitting and their parents always took care of us =). We try to go out at least once a month and on special occasions. We definitely did more before I was pregnant, but Shane still takes me out now!

That was fun!! Thanks ladies!! Have a good night!



Wednesday, February 4, 2009

ASK ME!!

So, I am still without camera capabilities, but want to post!! So I am jumping on the band wagon and having an "Ask Me" post!!!

Ask me anything you want and I will answer!! Yall ask me stuff all the time in my comments and I never get around to answering so I guess I can catch up now =). I can't wait to hear what you what to know.....

Since I am about to lose my mind with too many posts without a picture here is a little throw back to past Valentine's Days with Claire and Owen!!! It is hard to believe that this year we are giving out Valentines at school and next year, we will have another baby in our picture!!!!
V-day 2007V-day 2008

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

I am back!

Hey there!! The Browns are back in business and pretty much well!! My only problem now is that I cannot get any pictures to download off my camera and of course that is the basis of all my posts!! So I have been wanting to post, but no pics!! Then I got tagged by Mrs Guru and Alyssa so here goes!!!!

Step 1: respond and rework—answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

Step 2: tag—eight other un-tagged people.


1. What were you doing before you started this post? Just got home from walking across the street to Mom's house...the kids had not seen her today and wanted to go raid her pantry =).

2. What is the last thing you read/are currently reading? I have been working on "Chasing Harry Winston" since before the end of the year.

3. Do you nap a lot? HAHA - would love to and try to often right now, but I am not usually that successful thanks to Blackberry, 2 smelly dogs, and 2 little people that follow me around =)!

4. Who was the last person you hugged? Claire and Owen - when I picked them up from school

5. What is your favorite TV series? Bachelor? American Idol, Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl

6. What was the last thing you said out loud? "You are waiting until dinner, there is no way you are still hungry!" to clarify - Claire has eaten her weight in Valentine's Day fruit roll ups

7. What websites do you always visit when you go online? Blogger and People

8. What was the last item you bought? 3 adorable Maternity dresses (one Juicy!!!) Happy Birthday to me - Thanks Dad!!! Oh yeah - last night I made a mad dash to The Promenade to hit Gymboree for the kids something to wear to school this week - you can only imagine the pile of laundry I have after our weeks of sickness!!

9. What is your most challenging goal? Keeping our family on a schedule!!

10. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished- anywhere in the world, where would it be? Here

11. Favorite Vacation spot? Mexico or Gulf Shores!

12. Say something to the person who tagged you: Mrs. Guru - you are one of the sweetest bloggers and always make me smile with your comments - THANK YOU!! Alyssa - I am so glad we have met and I foresee a great friendship between us!!

13. Name one thing you just can't resist no matter how bad it is for you: DESSERT!

14. What is your favorite item of clothing? Right now - Juicy outfit

15. What would your American Gladiator name be and why? MAD MAMA!

16. Name one thing you can not live with out: Of course my crew and Dr Pepper

17. Has a celebrity's haircut ever influenced you on your own hairstyle? Pretty much every hair style I have ever had has been influenced by a celebrity

18. If you could pick one ingredient in a mojito that best represents you what would it be and why? Mint - makes it just right =)!

19. What is something you do every day? Pray and kiss my kids!

20. What are you wearing right now? UGGs, jeans, long tunic, white long sleeve shirt and scarf (it's cold)!!

21. What's your favorite room in your house? (I stole my question from Blue Eyed Bride, I liked it) - Our living room/ kitchen - this where everything happens in our house and when we entertain everyone gathers here! I love the homey family feel!

Have fun - I tag - Brittney, Amanda, and More Wine Please!