"Count Your Blessings"

Thanksgiving has officially come to a close, but before I declare that Christmas is in full swing I need to do the ultra predictable thing and just state what I'm thankful for. It never goes out of style does it?

- 2009 has been a big year for the Dukes family - the 2 daughters were married 6 months apart (sorry mom and dad), so our family has extended with 3 official new members.

- I've gained a best friend for life - officially. I get to hang out with a very cute man and I get to call him my husband.

- I've become a full-time step-mother to Ian. A roll that is stretching me and making me admire my mother and fall in love with my husband even more.

- We live in a very comfortable, work in progress, cute home. We have more than we need.

- My in-laws are incredible. I've been blessed and I'm so excited to grow old with them as well.

- We have jobs. They may not be our dream jobs, but we have them.

- We live in America.

- I have AMAZING friends. Several of which flew down for our wedding. Talk about a humbling day.

- I have a relationship with my grandparents. We enjoy one another and I actually get to see them for the holidays.

- My parents are in love.

- My sister and my sister in law and I are friends. We love to hang out.

- My husband is friends with my brother and brother in law. - Rich.

- We have an amazing community of friends who celebrate life together.

- God is good.

This list could go on. And on.

So, to officially declare that the Christmas season is here, watch this old favorite of mine.

Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2-XXzYU77E

-a

brusha brusha brusha

(check out this awesome blog for other fun vintage posters http://ajaxallpurpose.blogspot.com/)

I've never had a cavity. NEVER. Knock on wood. My mom was super obsessed with teeth, still is. She would love it when one of us had a loose tooth...it was our worst night mare.

Well...I've become my mother. I wonder how many times I'll say this in my life. It's happened more and more recently.

Last Tuesday I took Ian to the orthodontist. I realized several things, a few are:

1. Being committed to a nine year old's dental hygiene is very time consuming.

2. I'm OK with people knowing that I don't know what I'm doing...I asked an insane amount of questions (especially when it came to the finances.)

3. I didn't take into account all of the small things that come with fully mothering someone.

4. I worry that people judge me based on my child's ability to brush their teeth.

5. I feel like I'm living someone else's life.

So, Ian has to have 2 phases of orthodontic care. What? What ever happened to just getting braces in high school. He's 9.

He's super stoked about it. His father and I are still trying to decide when we'll do it. Meaning, when we'll decide to fork over 3 grand for Ian's grill.

Here is a link to a great blog that I've recently fallen in love with (thank you Abby Jartos). This little tidbit is very encouraging. She is a mother to more that one child...and has time to make homemade toothpaste. I'm trying it, as soon as the Crest runs out.

http://simplemom.net/natural-beauty-clean-skin-teeth-and-lips/

Happy brushing!

when in...

Just a few of my favorite pics from our honeymoon.

Only the beginning...

...Let's hope.

I've said for quite a while now that I would start a blog. I've had the grandiose idea that I would actually have time for it, or that I'd actually keep up with maintaining a blog. I'm a great starter...but not so great at ...

The point to this blog is for me to chronicle my daily adventures, or lack there of sometimes, which is just as welcome. I'll post things that I think are pretty and things I want to eat or make. I'll post things that I love to read and want to share.

I chose "Wingin' It" for the name of my blog for one reason - that's what I'm doing everyday. My world has totally been rocked by a 9 year old and his lovely father. I said "I do" on October 16, 2009 to my new husband and that also means that I'm a full time step mom to an amazing 9 year old that I try to reason with to no avail.

I plan to have this as my sounding board, my therapy, my escape, and a place for me to celebrate and brag.

So, just a over a month after the wedding...after our romantic Italian honeymoon...and after I've had a chance to catch my breath and have a breakdown or two, I'm starting.

I'd be obliged if you read.

-april

(oh and props to miss leigh germy. my dear friend to took beautiful photos of our sweet day. visit her at leighgermyphotography.com)