I Can't Believe Christmas is Almost Here.

Wanted to share a couple of pictures of the girls making their own gingerbread houses at Granna and Grandpa's- It was sooo much fun.

If you remember I mentioned that the Rutledge house hold was going to be BUSY ... that was an understatement. I think I have whiplash from all the things that have been going on.
First let me tell you that our play at church, "The Gospel According to Scrooge" was a success! There is not a mommy around that is more proud of her daughter right now. Belle did a great job as well as all of the other kids that were involved in this play. It takes a lot of work and they did great.
Second, right before the first night of the play Anthony hurt his knee. we have since found out that it is a torn Meniscus ( pardon if I spelled it wrong) and he will be having a knee scope done on Tuesday, keep us in your prayers.
Thirdly, the girls are both home from school and lounging around like they should be and wouldn't you know that is when I would get a head cold. Pray for us all.
Not to sound like doom and gloom because if anyone knows us we will muscle right through it and continue to have fun.
I will close with a Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!
Love, Jessica

The Rutledge's are...

BUSY!!! Boy, I don't think my schedule is going to slow down until January. Between Layla and Belle's school activities and extracurricular activities and the church play and keeping the family fed and the house clean I don't know when there will be time to post anything. I will do my best though, I don't want to let any of faithful readers down.
I was watching "What Not to Wear" yesterday and the woman was 35 and frumpy, when asked how she let her self get that way she answered that she just always puts herself last. I could really connect with that woman, she was truly beautiful but like a lot of women, never looked in the mirror and said to her reflection "you're beautiful".
The hosts of that show got on to her and said that she was beautiful and to stop hiding behind the "mommy uniform" - in this case was a velvet track suit with bulky pockets in front- they told her she could be "Molly" and still be a mommy and a wife. She needs to realize she is still a person that holds many jobs but the jobs shouldn't drowned out the woman she is.
I walked away from that show ready to NOT wear a velvet jumpsuit that I have worn in the past, and get rid of a lot of old clothes that I think I hide in. Maybe it's this new chapter in my life of staying home and not being in the working world that makes me feel I don't need to dress nice, but I have to remember, I do still have a husband that would like to see make up on me from time to time. My girls probably like it when I get pretty, they say so before church every Sunday.
My mom was on to something when we were little. She would always wear her hair in curlers and clean up around the house and then right before Daddy came home she would fluff her hair and put make up on so he came home to a lovely wife and mother.
Ladies, throw out those old clothes, velvet jumpsuits and tapered "mommy jeans" go out and buy something nice, with a waist line. You may see me out there buying something too.

Happy Birthday Archie!!!

To the pup that stole our hearts, the dog that thinks he's a kid. The puppy that loves his family and the family loves him, Happy 1st Birthday!!
At the request of two little girls we will be giving Archie a present of assorted cookies from Pet Co. and he is already feasting on a new raw hide bone that was given to him to calm his nerves after a long day at the groomers.

It isn't easy staying this handsome but someone has to do it.

Nothin' Much.

That may seem boring to some people but not to the Rutledge household. We are blessedly doing nothing. We had a really busy September with the church play, that I was honored to be a part of, and all that goes into that sort of thing. The girls are both having an outstanding year so far and my little side business is doing okay.(advertisement, Halloween necklace and earring sets are on sale for $20 this month). We have been steadily coasting, now we just need to get little Layla's tonsils out, this is happening October 3rd. She is a little scared but I think the idea of a whole week off of school with nothing but ice cream is really starting to sound good. Pray for Mommy and Daddy though because those thirty minutes that she is in surgery will feel like four hours.
Well, hope all is going well for all of you that read this. I hope to update this more often but who knew when I quit working I would be busier than ever before?

Meetings, meetings, meetings!

I just got back from a, you guessed it, meeting. I went to my first parent volunteer meeting at Layla's school today. It felt so good to know that I would be available at my own leisure to help out in different ways around her school. I wish I had had that opportunity with Belle but I guess this is just one of those change offs. Anyway, big things happening this fall, first is our play at church, it's a two act play on September 16,17,18 and 19th. It's gonna be really good. Then, on October 3rd little Layla will be getting her tonsils and anoids out. Mommy can't wait!!! She will be able to sleep so much better. Mark your calendars for October 8th, that's Emma's Bayou Bash, take a look at "I'm Especially Fond of You" on my sidebar for more information about that and how you can help fight Batten's Disease.
That is all I have time to share right now but I will try and keep you posted! Oh! don't forget to check out my business blog, wwww.laylabellejunkinmytrunk.blogspot.com!

Zumba!

There is a new craze taking over the Rutledge home and it's Zumba! I have been at it for a solid two weeks and this marks the beginning of my third. Here is an example of one of the breakfasts that is showcased in the meal guide for Zumba, it was so pretty I had to take a picture of it before I ate it.

I'm so happy because both my girls and Anthony are so supportive. The girls have adopted some of the foods that I have been eating, for instance, toast with all natural peanut butter mixed with honey and sliced strawberries on top. They love this because they fix it themselves. I'm glad because I get to incorporate some healthy snack options in to their lunches for school. I will keep you posted on my journey to a better healthier body.

Almost August

At least that's how I'm looking at it these days. We have started practicing for a new play at our church and that means the time will fly. Since I wont be working outside of the home from now on I am really looking forward to some time spent with Anthony. We celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary yesterday, well "celebrated" is a strong word, we saw each other, watch a little T.V. together and then kissed each other good night. I think we are gonna try and catch a movie today some time. Hey, I will take what I can get, Anthony has been working so hard lately and the kids are right here with us, so maybe when we hit that 20th year we can rush off somewhere alone. aaahhh.
Anyway, my business is going good, a comfortable pace, hopefully it will really pick up once school starts. My sisters and I are still trying to make the "Open House" happen but it may just be bumped to September since August has already filled up. I told Belle that we (just me and her) would go school clothes shopping this Wednesday, I'm really excited, I love picking out clothes for my girls. I think I will shop for Layla because she's still at the stage of getting tired and bored.
Anyway, that's about all that has been cooking in this kitchen, I hope you enjoy the rest of your July- I mean, "almost August" and don't forget to check out LaylaBelle for some really neat teacher gifts!