Criss Cross Braids into Messy Bun

I really love braids. (If you haven't figured that out, click on any of the many braid links off to the side. Ha!)

This is a fairly basic concept, but can be tricky just to keep hold of. I parted the hair into four sections. I started with a diagonal part from the front left to the back right. Then I divided those in half. Pull all but one front section up out of the way. I prefer clips as they are easier to take out when ready. Start with a french braid in that front section and keep it lined up with the opposite side in the back. 

A No-Do Day

I just thought I'd share a few pictures from a fishing/hiking trip our family took a few weeks ago. The kids had a blast and we took a break from fixing hair. ;)

Here We Go Again!

Before I get started, I want to remind everyone to enter my Giveaway if you haven't had the chance. I am going to leave it open a few more days, since I haven't really posted much since. ;) Thanks so much to everyone who has entered and to my new followers! As promised, I will be choosing 2 winners! ;)

Our little girl has made it a while without complications, but had a little set back yesterday... We had to do a couple breathing treatments. Miss Sass woke up the night before last coughing really hard! She had a miserable night. :( However, after her treatments, she got back to her normal self... running and skipping and playing like she should!

Surfer Girl Simple Do

It was Wet'n'Wild Days at our Zoo again, so Sis needed an out-of-her-eyes-do. However, she asked to leave her hair down, and even with bangs, it still gets in the way when she plays in water. So, I gave her a classic surf girl style.

P is for Pneumonia

So, we had a very sick little girl earlier this year... I decided to go ahead and post what happened for two reasons. One, this might help another family avoid this situation. Two, several good online friends have asked and I feel comfortable sharing this information with our blog community. ;) So, hear it is. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

First, I wanted to share a few pictures of Sis. That is one of my favorite things! ;) In the first, you'll see the same tired/sad eyes that we saw for weeks... In the second, the day before she started to get sick. In this picture you can see the circular bruise on her chest. So, here's the story.

Sis became very sick with severe cold/pneumonia-like symptoms. It took a few days before we discovered the cause of her illness. At a birthday party, Sis took a fall and hit her chest on something. This caused a rupture of her left lung and also of the pericardium (sac around the heart). With the rupture, some air was able to seep into the pericardium and the lining around her lung. This caused a nasty infection and pneumonia. After we found the root of the problem, we began treatments. She was on a steroid treatment as well as some antibiotics and other things. This injury has the potential to be very serious, even life-threatening, but God watched over our little girl. The biggest risk was that her coughing could reinjure the tear in her lung or pericardium. (Which would be a bad thing!) We went through several very rough nights. I couldn't sleep while I watched Sis breathing, so shallow and strained. For the few days before we started the treatments, she barely moved and was only awake for a few hours. However, Sis healed very quickly once we knew what was wrong! She started playing and running and dancing again after an OK from the doctor. ;) The original injury was simply an accident, but the rest could have been avoided. The second picture was taken just before dance; that night she started coughing. All of the jumping, skipping, twisting and running in dance class seems to be what started it. Most likely, her injury was worsened by the movement and that is when she got sick. From now on, I will watch chest injuries more closely! But for now I am just happy to have my little girl back! ;)

Hello? Anyone there?!

It's been months! ;) As I was reading a blog yesterday, I realized how terribly I miss this world!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season... Christmas, New Year, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day... Geez, it's almost Easter! ;) I haven't read or posted in so long, I'm not sure I remember what to do. Lol! But I will try! I have done a ton of new hairstyles since last fall, but I think I'll just start with now. ;) For my first post back, I'll just post a few pics of my favorite little models... my kids. ;)

First is my Mr. Cool;) He didn't really want to do pictures, but at least I got one sweet smile from him! Oh, and that smile is getting ready to change big time... he's losing a front tooth, so cute!

And here's my sweet Drama Boy. The charmer and adorable blue-eyed blonde of the family! He's starting to get these beyond cute freckles on his nose and cheeks! ;)

And last, that firecracker you know as Sis. ;) Still cute and red as ever, she has been doing some modeling and online pageants and tons of playing! ;) Currently, she is in a cute kid contest and would love to have your vote! It is just a one-time vote by this Friday, so really not much work. ;) Thank you for supporting her!

My Favorite Style... on an adult ;)

Finally back online after the cruise... Holidays can be so crazy! ;) Anyway, this is my go-to style when I can't think of anything else. And I found that it looks very nice on adults also. But first, here is a sunset shot I took from the ship...

Okay, so french twist braids from each side and then pulled together in back.
I started the braids just above her ears and continued them back. When I got to the back area, I stopped doing a french twist and just continued with a regular twist braid. I had her hold that while I did the other side and then I pulled them together in the middle.

I think this looked so nice! ;) A very sleek style. I loved it with her straightened hair.

Okay, so glad to be back! I have tons of new things going up in my Etsy shop. Bows make great stocking stuffers. ;) Also, I'll have one last giveaway for the year coming next week! Miss all of you, blog family! ;)

Fall Colors... Photography post

This week coming up at iHeart Faces has the theme Fall Colors. Since I am leaving for my cruise tonight, I decided to get a jump on things. I am posting all these pics first and later tonight I will pick one to enter...