Closing my Salon

So, in life, we change and grow a lot. For the past 3 years, myself and my family have enjoyed the blessings that came when I went out on my own to open "Lila's Chop Shop". Namely 2 blessings: Evan and Cora Grace. We feel so lucky to have had this time with them and the freedom to work my own schedule. With the kids growing and becoming more needy of my time, it has become difficult to run the Chop Shop the way I want and so another blessing has come my way...

I can't believe I've been on my own this long and I'm proud of what I've accomplished. While I'm definitely nervous about changing back to whence I came (I hope they will still like me?), there are many perks and blessings to moving on and closing my doors in a few weeks. Due to welcomed ownership restructuring, I will be returning to my previous salon, Tangerine! This has been many months in the making but it is finally time to transition. I have missed my beloved AVEDA products and cannot wait to use them and especially the color line again. This change gives an added boost to my creative morale. I appreciate the many years of loyalty to me since I moved to Middle Tennessee from California in 2002 and cannot wait to continue to do my best for you in the years to come. For the time being, any of you that see me for your hair (and FREE psychotherapy, he he he he), will continue to make appointments with me as it isn't yet announced I will be going there (to current staff). After August 18th, you can make all appointments with Tangerine Salon and Spa at 615-896-3302. My family and I are really looking forward to this change.

xo - Lila and Family

Dear Evan and Cora Grace,

Just Because... I love you two. I wish I was a better mom, (I think we all wish that for our kids). I do think I'm a good mom and a great mom for you though. I don't want anyone but me to have you. You were meant for me. You have each made my life have more purpose and meaning for sure. Before you, I dreamed about more in my life even though Michael and I had a good life. Still, emotionally I had a place untouched that was for children to help me learn and grown into a better woman. I'm still working on that better woman part. I am so grateful we have been given you and if it's in Heavenly Father's plan we will get to have more children to be thankful for.

Children are so meek. You forgive me even though I don't deserve it while I muddle through that gift of Parenthood I prayed for and dreamed about for so long. ;) I hope you will always give me a chance to apologize for my short comings in life and I also hope you will make it out of childhood unscathed from learning too many of my bad habits. :) Thank you for being quizical Evan, full of energy and always on a quest of  knowledge. You really keep me and us on our toes. Cora Grace, thank you for your dimples and cuteness. You have a sweet determination that I can tell, will be trouble later on if I don't play my cards right. he he he. (Evan was sweet like this once too, ha ha ha. hopefully will be again!:) ha ha ha).

Anyway, I just wanted you to know I love you. I LOVE YOU. :) Your daddy and I will work hard together to love each other and support each other, each step of the way down the path. We cannot wait to see who you become as you grow up and I can't wait to see how I turn out myself in the process. You are blessings. :) xoxo -Mommy

Belated 4th of July report

Even though I wasn't there with my beautiful babies ON the Fourth of July, it doesn't mean it's too late to capture them in their 'outfits', today in a belated photo shoot. :)

Cora, of course, had 2 outfits to choose from or to wear one in the morning and one in the evening, if you will. And Evan had a manly American pride shirt. I love that I asked him to salute like this. It is precious but not as adorable as the one of them holding hands. It's now my phone's screen saver. :)

{ "All cute babies raise your hands"... "MEEEEEEEE". :) xo }

Meet Sugar

I just love my sister in law Nanci. She is a great wife, a wonderful mother and a good friend. I always have a fun time with her and try to learn how to be a better person from her. Nanci let us have this special rocking chair after outgrowing her own 2 girls. Her mother gave it to her family and I know it has to be special to her, especially since her mother passed away recently, we are honored to be the next owners. She had one of the coolest grandma names around too, "Sugar", so in her honor, we have named this beautifully patina-ed shared rocker after Nanci's mommy. We hope Nanci is happy she let us have it. We will love it and rock in in for years to come. In these pictures Cora Grace had just woke up from her nap to...

Meet: "Sugar"

{She loves Sugar and her new doll from IKEA that we bought her in Chicago}

{best view in the house. ;) hugs for mommy. xo}

More fun with Cora Grace

Just an updated documentation video of C.G's walking progress. This is her in the grass with out actually eating any... almost. ;)

The Shed

Here is a picture of our future shed, the wood that would build it. Some friends from church who do construction for a living agreed to build us a shed and replace our back stairs that have weathered too much in the 9 years we've owned our home. We are so excited about our shed and can't wait to use it. I'm pretty sure Evan thinks it's his play house and in some ways I'm sure it will be their play house. Here is the progression. Ricky and family did a great job

Before

"helpers"

the end of day one.

Evan inspects their work

view to the house.

We chose this spot cause it doesn't grow grass and is just a leaf collection site.

Evan and I decided to try out the wood to make sure it was strong enough. When my parents built their home, we often used the excess wood for teeter tautering :). Brings back memories, if only my family was there to give me a good teeter. Evan loved it.

It hailed one day in the midst of building.

The hail was bigger than quarters, smaller than golf balls on average.

Progress...

So close...

almost done.

All this building supervision, makes the kids hungry for their favorite treat. Yogurt tubes frozen. Mmmm.

Best seat in the house to watch daddy mow the lawn.

I couldn't resist to add this cutie of my cutie. She's wearing Evan's first pair of shoes from the Smith's. Basically, she's fly. :)

Where's the stairs mommy?

There they are baby. ;)

Cora did a lot of supervising today.

Here's the new back yard stairs! Whoo hoo!

... and the completed (for the most part), shed. :) Make's me wish it had plumming and electricity so we could have a guest house! ;)

We feel really grateful for our shed, now we can store some of our things the kids have pushed out of the house or produced (clothes etc).