Until next year!

Yesterday was Hubby's birthday. Old man turned 32 this year!! LOL

He had to work, unfortunately, so I fixed a crock pot of beans, made a pan of cornbread, and Sissy helped me bake him a 2 layer red velvet cake, which he got to enjoy on his lunch break. Needless to say, a day later I think there is only 1 large piece left! All in all, I think he had a good day...except for work.

Today, the kids and I just laid around the house. I did manage to pick up toys in the living room and clean the kitchen. But as usual, when Hubby came home from lunch, the kitchen was destroyed again. Once he left, the kids and I laid down for a much needed nap! I've still been feeling a little puny, so I haven't been sleeping as well at night. So of course, naps have been nice!

When we woke from said nap, my sister-in-law had left a message that they were going to Joe's here in town. Which is a local hot dog place that has games, miniature golf, and a play area for kids. So we got ready and met them, my parents, and my little sister there. We all had so much fun!

Today is New Years Eve, and unlike most people, we are going to bed early. Hubby has to work tomorrow, and has to be there at 7am...so no staying up late for us. The kids are already driving both of us crazy right now and I am at my wits end. So this post is ending short tonight.

I plan on doing a recap of 2009, seeing if I was able to keep my 2009 New Years resolutions, and placing my 2010 resolutions. So all in all, there should be at least 2 posts planned for tomorrow. I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year Eve's night!!

2 weeks!

2 weeks, 14 days, 336 hours, 20160 minutes, 1209600 seconds...however you want to say it, it's been a long time since my last post. Unlike before when I haven't done much of anything, the past 2 weeks we have been busy!

My little sister turned 13 on the 10th. Unfortunately, they had her birthday party the same day that I was doing my first family photo. So the kids and I were only able to be there for about 30 minutes. It was a fast visit, but I'm glad she liked her gift. My parents bought her a Acer notebook for her birthday, and I bought her a lapdesk with a light to go with it. She loved it! Yay!

On the 12th, I think, we had Hubby's associate Christmas party. We opted to leave the kids with a sitter this year, unlike last year, which was a total nightmare with them there! It was so very nice to be able to enjoy the evening and not having to tell 2 toddlers to sit still, be quiet, and behave.

On the 17th, we had our MDO Christmas party. It looked like the kids had a blast. I got some pics of some of the kids. Unfortunately we had to leave Bubba at home with Daddy. He was sick and I didn't really want to deal with his "separation anxiety" during the day.

On the 18th, we had Hubby's management Christmas party. All members of management and their spouses went to eat at PPs, a local Mexican restaurant. We had a blast!

On the 21st, Monday night, we went to Sissy's friend's birthday party. The kids had so much fun, and it was nice to see Sissy interact with other kids other than the ones she goes to church. No, we don't get out much. LOL

On the 23rd, Hubby had off of work and we agreed that would be the best time for the kids to open their gifts from us. They had so much fun with all their toys, not so much enthused about the clothes though.

On Christmas Eve morning, the kids and I woke up and headed to my parents house for Christmas breakfast and presents with them, my brother, my sisters, and their families. Hubby had to work. So he didn't get to go with us. My parents always do too much for everyone, meaning the kids always get spoiled waaaay too much. I know they didn't mind though.

Christmas Eve night, the kids and I went to Hubby's A. K's house for finger foods and visiting. Hubby came out there once he got off of work and man was it entertaining. Whenever that group gets together, it's always very interesting and side splitting.

(The kids at Aunt K's)

Christmas morning we woke the kids up early and headed to Hubby's dad's house for breakfast and gifts. Santa left the kids' gifts at Papaw's house and they were more than surprised! After that, we headed to his grandparent's house for lunch and visiting. Once the kids started getting cranky, which wasn't very long after arriving, we headed home for some much needed naps. 3 hours worth to be exact!!

(Sissy with her gift from Santa..a Princess Bike!!)

Early Saturday morning, like at 3:30, I woke up to the stomach bug. Yep, I spent the next 15 minutes on the toilet, and the next hour sitting in the bathroom floor, leaned up against the bathtub, unable to move for fear of having to clean up a mess. I finally was able to crawl back in bed around 5:00, but was woken up by the kids at 7:45. Not ideal, no. So we made our way into the living room, where I then dozed on and off on the couch. (Disclaimer: Hubby's aunt LW and cousin CS have been staying with us during Christmas break, so CS was up and watched the kids while I dozed. I did NOT leave them unattended!!- Just thought I'd throw that in there.)

Saturday was also my mom's birthday and around 8:30 my sister in law calls me to let me know that they were taking my mom out to eat for lunch if I wanted to meet them....interesting since she is MY mom and they are inviting ME to lunch with them on her birthday. Anyways, since I was sick and did NOT feel like eating ANYTHING, I was unable to make it. I hate that I had to miss it though.

Sunday, I still didn't feel 100%, in fact, I barely felt 60%, so we stayed home all day, and since Hubby was off work, he took care of both the kids and I since I couldn't. Such a good man...when he wants to be. I had to run CS to a friend's house that evening and decided that I would venture on to WM for some stuff that I needed to pick up, and let Sissy spend her Christmas money on her new bedding for her new bed. She LOVES it!!

Monday, yesterday, I felt a lot better and decided to take the kids to spend the rest of their Christmas money. After shopping for 3 hours, we came home and crashed for around 2 1/2 hours!

Today, I plan on going to WM to get some stuff to make some beans and cornbread for supper and then trying to get my strength back up before our last Christmas get-together of the year on Saturday. It's my dad's family and there is always SO much food that I can't wait! Oh and Hubby has off, which makes it so much more exciting!!!

I don't plan on taking this long of a break again...for one, it's too long of a post when I have to make up for it! LOL Tomorrow is Hubby's 32nd birthday, and I hope to make him at least a cake for his birthday. He has to work though, so it will be a late dinner and cake.

Until then...

You gotta do better than that!!

Hubby is always really good at buying things and hiding them until just the right time....until yesterday.

He had bought some gifts and told me to go through them, decide who to give them to, and make a list of who else to buy for. He had them in his room, so I went in there yesterday to do what I was told to do. Bubba followed me in there, and started getting into some stuff. As I was putting stuff back in an open box laying on the bed, my irritation quickly turned into happiness and pure giddy! I was replacing stuff that went to a Canon Rebel xsi! Yes! Hubby had bought and hid it away from me for Christmas!

When we saw him later for lunch, I told him about Bubba finding it for me. Needless to say, he wasn't very happy! He said he has tried his hardest to keep that hid from me. To which I told him that if he wouldn't have left it in an open box, on the bed, I never would have seen it!!

My only irritation about it, I did a photoshoot Sunday afternoon. It definitely would have been nice if I would have had it before then. In fact, after the shoot, I was complaining about my "old" camera that I used. I could take the same shot, without myself of my subjects moving, and the lighting would be different on both of them. It was not only annoying, but I wasn't able to fix them enough once I downloaded them.

I did a great job of covering by telling me that my camera was a good camera and there was nothing wrong with it. I said, "Yeah, but I want an awesome camera. Like a Canon Rebel!" He then proceeded to ask me what the difference was between a 'Canon Rebel' and the one I have was. He played it up good. I wish I would have found it before then!!!

Anyways, so get ready for lots of pictures this Christmas season! I will be taking a bunch!!!

In the spirit?

So my blog is all the "decorating" I am doing this year. The first Christmas we lived in this house, Sissy was just 2 months old. I have always loved to decorate the inside of our house, and that year wasn't any different. The next Christmas, she was a little over a year old, and trying to keep her out of the tree and not touch my handmade ceramic nativity scene was torture for all of us. So the next year, last year, when Bubba was 5 months old and crawling, we opted NOT to drag all of our decorations out of the garage and put them up.

This year we, again, opted NOT to decorate. Hubby and I very much wanted to, but thought we would be yelling telling the kids to get out of it and not touch. I have decided that next year, we plan on being in our own house, and we will most DEFINITELY decorate it!!

So for now, my blog is the only thing getting decorated for Christmas! Thanks to my friend, Ashley, for making my wonderful header!!

ER TRIP

OMG!!!!! My stomach is so upset! So upset, in fact, that I think if I threw up, I would feel much better! We just got back home about an hour go after our first trip to the ER with one of our kids! Bubba was walking through the kitchen, in his socks, slipped and hit his head on the edge of one of our kitchen chairs.

He let out that cry where you know he is hurt, so I ran over and picked him up. Not thinking that anything was wrong with him, except a bumped head, I laid his head on my shoulder. He started screaming worse. I pulled him away from me and looked him over. To my dismay...his ear lobe was TORE! Like ripped! I mean, it looked like Mike Tyson got a hold of him, it was hanging!!!

I think my exact words to Hubby was, "Ohmygod!!! Daddy!!! We gotta get him to the hospital!!! NOW!!" He jumped up, ran over, looked at his ear, and told me get everything together. While in the process of getting Sissy to put her clothes and shoes on, grabbing Bubba some clothes, throwing my shoes on, grabbing Hubby's sandals, grabbing coats and a blanket to wrap Bubba in, I was on the phone calling my aunt...who is a nurse...and my parents.

My aunt met us at the hospital, and I am glad she did. The doctor told Hubby that they could give Bubba some medicine to be able to stitch him up, but that it would leave him in a catatonic state...uh, NO! So instead the strapped him down to a Papoose Board. Neither Hubby or I could stand being in there with him, screaming, so my aunt went in there with him. When they needed us back there, she stayed with Sissy.

3 stitches and about 2 hours later, we are home, and I am still shaken up! Bubba is sleeping peacefully right now, and I am hoping and praying that he sleeps okay tonight.

Here is some pics of this memorable occasion...

(The dark bloody spot, is the top of where he ripped it. If you look closely, you can see the bottom part of the rip...just hanging! Gross, I know!)

(3 Stitches later)

(They wrapped his head so that he wouldn't pull at the stitches!)

Playing Catch-Up

I, finally, went through my pictures and organized them from the past 2 months. I have been slacking with everything going on lately. So I thought I would share some pics I took of the kids last month. Our wonderful neighbor, Mr. RC and his wife have two kids who, I think, are both in college. So they love that there are two little ones living right next door. Mr. RC does quite a bit for us around the house. During the summer months, he mows our yard from time to time, and this fall, he raked the leaves out of our front yard. He knows with Hubby working all the time, and me at home with two little ones, we just don't have the time to do alot outside, plus he loves doing stuff like that...so he says. LOL

Anyways, back to the pictures. When Mr. RC raked our yard, he piled them all up so that the kids could play in them before he loaded them up to take them to the burn pile behind our house. So here are some of my favorites from that day.

Last night, I took the kids to the local Christmas parade. They loved it, except for the bigger kids that where beside us taking all the candy. Not that my kids needed any, but it really upset Sissy that she couldn't get any before they took it all. The only think that made me mad was the kid that pushed Bubba's stroller out of the way to get a piece of candy that was under it. I mean, really??? Here is a pic of them all bundled up ready for the parade.

Last Saturday, we went out to the mountains for Thanksgiving lunch with my family. My dad wanted us to go to their cabin and help with some stuff. Plus it was the first time we had ever been out there. Well, while out there, Hubby found some of my dad's cedar planks he had. He was teasing Dad about taking them, so Dad told him to go to his barn out at the house and take all he wanted. So we did, and Hubby built Sissy a cedar bed. Here is a picture of the finished bed...without the bedding on it.

Cold or Hot Natured?

The other night, while lying in bed freezing my bootay off, I was thinking about if I was cold natured or hot natured, I'm natured, err, normal...I think. When it's cold, I'm cold. When it's hot, I'm hot. My dad used to get so mad at my mom and I when I was growing up because during the summer, we would want it so cold in the house that we had to wrap ourselves up in blankets. During the winter, we wanted it so hot that we had to run around in tank tops and shorts. I'm still that way today.

Hubby, on the other hand, is just plain hot natured. Sissy took after him. They both sweat no matter what the temp is, especially if they are sleeping. That's when it's the worst! So of course, when we go to bed at night, the air gets turned on. It's annoying as all get out to wake up at 3am to a frozen nose, ears, toes...yes I have to sleep with my feet uncovered...when it's 30 stinking degrees outside!! Bubba, like me, freezes. We have to have tons of blankets just to stay warm. I guess he and I will just have to grin and bear it!!

So, what are you? Cold or Hot Natured??

House Hunting

Hubby and I have been looking at buying a house by next spring. We will have all of our debt paid off with our income tax return and plan on using his bonus check as a down payment. I'm very much excited about this! I hate putting money towards rent. It doesn't go to anything, but the fact that we have a roof over our head for the next month. And we can't even do anything to the house, except keep it clean. Not fun!

Anyways, we have looked about everything we can find that is online, and even went to look at 4 or 5 houses in person. Only one to which we even kinda liked, but there is still some stuff that we would have to do to it. We don't want to buy a house that we have to do anything to to be able to move in. We don't have the time to do anything to it. We are willing to pay for it move in ready!

I am planning on going to look at another house tomorrow that was just put on the market today! I drove by it this evening, and am excited about going to look inside of it. Hubby has to work, so it's just going to be me, the kids, and our realtor lady. I hope that it is better than the others.

Thankful Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for this year, and every year. I thought that with it being the day before Thanksgiving, that I would do a post on what all I thank God for on a(n almost) daily basis.

I am thankful for:

1. God sending His son to die for me.
2. God thinking that I deserved to have His son die for me.
3. My parents. They made me who I am today....good and bad! :-)
4. My husband. He is my rock.
5. My kids. They are the reason it's easy to wake up in the mornings....some mornings.
6. My family. We are all different, yet the same. My dad's family has stood strong this past year and though it's been hard with my grandmother's death, we are all strong Christian people that know she's in a much better place.
7. My church family. I can't express my love for them. They have made this past year memorable and helped me realize how much I am thankful for.
8. My friends. Though there are very few of them, I am thankful for each and every one of them.
9. American Soldiers. They have/are fighting for me, my freedom, my country.
10. Wal-Mart. Yes an odd one I know, but it's the one place that I can buy almost anything I need or want.
11. Nickelodeon and Disney Channels. They are what keep my children out of my hair when I am cleaning and cooking. Yes, I'm "that" mom.
12. Blogger. It has been not only my outlet for thoughts and fears, but it's has helped me realize that there are other mother/women out there like me. The kind with thoughts and fears. It has also given me the opportunity to become friends with women that live right here in my own hometown.

So what are you thankful for this year??

I am alive...

Yes, I am alive, if you happened to be wondering.

I have been out of sorts for almost 2 weeks. I've had quite a bit going on, for once, and have just now been able to sit down on my usual blog reads. Boy, did I have a lot to catch up on!

A couple of Fridays ago, a close friend invited me to a Beauticontrol Spa Party she was having at her house. I had never been to one, but had heard they were lots of fun. So I left the kids with Hubby, and off I went for an hour and a half of relaxation and girl time. Something I haven't had in over 3 years! It was so much fun, that I decided to have one of my own. So this Friday night, I am hosting my own spa party...I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it....I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. Okay, I'm done now.

Hubby got off work at 5pm Sunday, and we loaded up, and took the kids out to his family's deer camp for a few days. Of course, with it being the first of the week, anybody that would have sat at camp with the kids and I were working. So while Hubby, Papaw (Hubby's dad), Aunt J (Hubby's sister), and the other couple out there, went hunting, the kids and I sat in the camper and watched movies. I would have loved to take them outside and let them play, but it poured Sunday night, and then didn't get any warmer than 45 degrees, so we decided it be best to keep them inside.

We got back yesterday evening, and thankfully I had cleaned my house up a little bit before leaving out. We were so tired that we just came in and threw everything in the floor. Of course, today, I am having to clean everything up again!

We have also had some unexpected, uninvited, unwanted house guests....since after Sissy's birthday. They tend to come and go at there leisure. Whenever they get hungry, the show up. ANTS!!!

I hate them, it doesn't matter how much I clean my house, they still appear trying to find something to eat. I normally clean the kitchen every night to prevent them from taking over during the night. Last night, though, I was so tired, and ready for bed...we went to bed at about 930pm...that I just left it. Bad idea!!! I got up this morning to a sea of black...literally! They were everywhere!!!

Yesterday, was my dad's 53rd birthday. At about 625pm yesterday evening, my sister calls me.

Sis- "Hey, we are going to eat at PP's for Dad's birthday."

Me-"Okay....when?"

Sis-"Ummm...in like 5 or 10 minutes. Can you make it"

Are you kidding? LOL She said she thought we were still out at deer camp. Dad had to tell her that we were indeed home. So Sissy and I rushed around, got ready, and headed to PP's. Thankfully, we both took showers before that, so we didn't have to worry there. Bubba was asleep, and Hubby opted to stay home with him.

I may be MIA for the next week or so, as I am going to be pretty busy. If I don't post again beforehand....I hope you all have a wonderful and thankful Thanksgiving!!

What if....

Do you ever wonder what could have been? I mean, have you ever had a life changing experience, and look back and wonder what could have been? I have, and I wonder "what if" quite a bit.

I played basketball for as long as I can remember. It was my life, and I planned on playing until the good Lord wouldn't let me anymore. I just didn't realize it would be sooner than I had thought.

When I was 14, in the 9th grade, I was already receiving college recruit letters! I was very excited about going to play college ball at one particular college, 6 hours away from home! I got a letter in the mail saying that since it was a "certain time of the year" they had to quit contact with me, but would pick up when I was older. That day never came.

When I was 16, I had a bad car accident. I was late for curfew and it was pouring down rain. I was on the dirt road to my house, hit red clay, fishtailed, and as any inexperienced driver would do, I hit the brakes. I learned the hard way, that's not what you do. I hit a tree head on, which threw me on my side, and had me skidding back the way I came. My hand skidded along with the van, the glass, and the gravel. To this day, I thank God that not only am I alive, but that I still have my left hand, and all 5 digits. I almost lost 3 of them!

After that, my basketball skills went down the drain. Even though I am right handed, I could no longer use my left hand the way I used to. I also had to miss pre-season practice seeing as my accident was during the summer.

I never heard from another college wanting me to come play ball for them, and I sometimes wonder, what if.

What if: I had been driving slower.

What if: I had left for home earlier.

What if: I had I had never left home that evening.

What if, what if, what if...

When all those "what ifs" start running through my head, I take a break and realize where I am today. I am married to the man that I met when I was 16 and working at the local retail chain. We have two beautiful kids, and I love my life! I couldn't be happier! If all those "what ifs" had happened...I wouldn't have all of this wonderful life. Plus, I can't really think of where I would be now...after college had ended!

So the moral of this story: Don't focus on all the "what ifs" in life, focus on the "what are's", they are what matters!

PW and Gravy

I had heard about this one particular woman many, many, MANY times around the internet and from my friend over at Sugar Britches. She seemed to be a pretty famous woman. One who many bloggers and internet junkies in general love. After being completely curious, and oblivious, I decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Yes, I had to google.....Pioneer Woman!

If you had to click on that link to find out who I am talking about...well, let's just say that I'm happy to know I'm not the only one who didn't know who she was.

Anyways, once I went to her site, I had to add her to my favorite list. Yep, I love PW!!! She stole my heart. Her recipes, I am so excited about trying, and even told both Hubby and my mom that I wanted her cookbook, that she just released, for Christmas. I'm really hoping that one of them fulfills my request!!

Anyways, I was looking through some of her recipes and came across a biscuits and gravy one. I was in awe. Complete and total awe. Why??

Well, you see, I have been cooking since I was tall enough to reach the stove top. Now I'm not that much of a chef, or anything close to it, but there are just some things that one should know HOW to cook. Especially a southern cook.

WHITE GRAVY!

Can you believe that I am 27, yes I said it, years old, and I only started being able to make an edible pan of gravy in the past 2 months?!?!? Is that gasps and laughter I hear?? Didn't think so!

What? That still doesn't answer your question on why I am in total awe of her B & G recipe? Well, let me just tell you...

She measured everything out to a T!!! I am not one to measure when I cook. I think that's why I hate baking anything. You have to measure everything out perfectly or it doesn't turn out. Except for dump cake. Yay for dump cake!! My gravy is made by taste seasoning. If it tastes good enough to eat, than it's good. :-)

So, if you haven't checked out The Pioneer Woman's website, I strongly suggest you do so. You won't be sorry...I promise!!

My Husband, The Carpenter!

So Hubby is a man of many talents. He is one of the smartest guys I know, he draws, he's creative (he can turn an ordinary object into something totally different, and we have just learned he's a carpenter too!

Before Sissy's birthday party he was building some stuff to make our house look like a home.

(This was our plain jane table that he combined with an old antique dresser to make a desk)

(A key/hat holder)

(A gun rack fashioned out of some remaining OAD (old antique dresser) parts.)

And now for the most recent build. Something that he is extremely proud of and I am just in awe over! His first bed!!!

(Made all by hand)

(I think Bubba likes his toddler bed!)

You got rewarded for what??

My friend, over at SugarBritches, did a post concerning getting her 6 year old to do chores, and asked what we thought about rewards. It got me thinking, I never really had a "reward system" growing up. I didn't get an allowance, or candy, or got to pick out anything special and fun at WM. I didn't even get stickers!! I did, however, get to keep my stuff, and got to do things (i.e. go to friend's house, or have them over) for doing what I was told chores.

In fact, something I joke about today, especially since I have kids of my own, is that my dad always told me that he had kids so that we could do the things he didn't want to do. He told me these things as I would gripe and complain about having to get him something to drink, or anything that he didn't want to get up and get himself, or as I cleaned the kitchen and he watched TV. Back then, it made me mad! Today, I just laugh about it, because I totally understand what he meant now!! LOL!!! One of these days, I think I will be repeating those same words to my kids.

The odd thing about the rewards system is, I did have one, just not for chores, but for basketball. Yep, you heard right, basketball! I had a chart and had to make a certain amount of free throws and post shots to get a check mark. At the end of the month, I got a dollar for every check. Problem was, I wasn't, and still am not, an outside girl. I would rather be inside on even the prettiest days. So my check marks you could count on one hand! Maybe they should have built me an indoor court...just saying.

The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love

Oh My! Lots to tell!!!

Friday, my sister had her c-section. Even though there were some complications, she was blessed with a beautiful 8lb 12.4oz little girl. Both Mom and Baby are doing good, now.

(My beautiful baby niece!)

After a week of cleaning, planning, buying, and inviting, we were actually able to enjoy Sissy's 3rd Birthday on Saturday! She was indeed the Princess for the day. My mom and little sister came by the house around noon to pick her up and take her on a little outing before the party started. They took her to WM, Mickey D's, and to Stage where she got to pick out her birthday presents. And I must say, she did an awesome job!! That little girl has got some good taste!!

(The Birthday Princess)

(Her Princess Castle cake)

(Admiring her cake)

(I told her to smile. While gritting her teeth and smiling, she replied "I AM!")

(Blowing out her candle)

(Card...$3.00, Cash...$10.00, Her face...Priceless!)

(Rocking her Hannah Montana glasses)

(She was drawing on her Doodle Pro while I was sitting beside her on my laptop. I looked to see what she was drawing and this is what I saw! I was so proud of her and she in turn was happy that she made me so proud!!)

(Yep...she drew them ALL by herself! From the mouth and eyes to the tails. I think she's going to be an artist like her daddy!!)

Today I was very happy that Hubby went to church with us! I have said before on here that I would love to have him join us more, and with the new promotion, he is able (and willing) to do just that!

Speaking of his promotion...so far, so good! After his last overnight, he had 5 days to get his schedule swithed around, and if you remember from my last post, it didn't work. His first day, he woke up at 2am and didn't get to go back to bed until after 9pm! Which brings us to the whole whining thing that I mentioned...

Anyways, he worked his first 3 days as Co-Manager, then started vacation. He doesn't have to go back until next Sunday!!! Yay! We are so happy to have him home more! If he was on overnights, his vacation would consist of him going to bed at 3pm and waking up somewhere between 1am and 2am. Kinda puts a damper on your day.

I've been trying to talk him into taking a trip to LR where we lived for 3 1/2 years for Hubby's first job as an Assistant Manager. I would love to visit and see everyone that we had became friends with up there, and let them see our two beautiful children. We will see, we will see.

Letter to Hubby

Dear Hubby,

We need to talk. There are a few things that I need to bring to your attention that I don't think you know.

1. Your daughter and I get disgusted when we have to go to the bathroom and the lid is still up. It's not a hard job to put it is down, is it? I mean, I know that men all over the world have problems with this job, but can't you be different?
2. You have 1 more day before you have to work days. You need to get your sleep schedule turned around! I know, I know, "it's hard"," you try it", blah blah blah blah blah. MAKE YOURSELF DO IT!! You have to, otherwise, your first 12 1/2 hour shift at work is gonna kick your booty. And personally, I don't want to hear you whine about it doing just that!
3. I love you and your creativity. I love how you can turn a piece of ordinary wood, or an old antique desk, into a couple of different masterpieces. But for the love of all that is righteous...PLEASE DO NOT POLYURETHANE IN THE HOUSE!!! My head feels like its going to explode, and if mine feels that bad, think of how the kids feel. All the windows in the house and the front and back doors are open, trying to air out the place just because you didn't want to wait a few hours longer for it to dry before you can hang it out! Not cool, man, not cool!
4. Because of #3, the doors are only open for the time being because Sissy is asleep, hopefully that's all she is, and Bubba is in his highchair eating. Once he gets down, the doors will have to be shut once again, which makes it harder for the stench to escape the closed in portion called the house. Doesn't it say on the bottle to only use in a well ventilated area?? And don't you know that it's 50 degrees outside...not the type of weather where you want to windows and doors all open!

Love,

Your loving, caring, and understanding wife

A House is Just a House...

Things have been hectic around here lately. I guess that's why I haven't posted anything for over a week!

Sissy's 3rd birthday is 10 days away and we have yet to completely plan her party. We set a date and time, but found out today that we may have to move it. Hubby may end up having to work that day. Not quite sure yet.

So anyways, we have been trying to prepare our house for the party. Cleaning, organizing, throwing away, selling, and going through a bunch of stuff! We had a yard sale this past weekend and got rid of a bunch of stuff. Our garage looks a lot bigger without a bunch of junk in it. I guess that's what led me to start giong through all four closests, the junk drawers..yes we have more than one, and the kids dressers.

We have had the same kitchen table and chairs since we first got together about 8 years ago, and we hardly ever used them. So Hubby took an old antique dresser that we had, cut it up, combined it with our table, and made a desk out of it. He also bought some decor stuff from WM to make the house pretty more like a home instead of just a house. I would have loved to do some before and after pictures to post, but Hubby likes to surprise me. So when I woke up one morning, the table/dresser/desk was already almost done, and the next morning, the decor was almost all put up and done.

We have been SOOO excited about Hubby's promotion! We are already anticipating being able to buy a house this spring...hopefully! The fact that Hubby will be on days is way more special to me and the kids though!

I can now sleep!

Do you remember when I last asked for you guys' prayers? It's been almost a month since Hubby's first interview. After that 1st interview it took another week or so for his 2nd one. That one was almost 2 weeks ago!

Well, I want to thank all of you for the prayers for God's Will be done in our lives. I am kind of ashamed that it was something very hard for me to pray for...and I would catch myself praying for Hubby to get the promotion instead of "for His Will be done"! I would even go so far as to telling God why it would be in His best interest for Hubby to get this job! (Hubby would have more Sundays off than not, which would make him able to go to church more. We are trying our hardest to get him into church and I just knew this would be the way!) See, I told you it was hard for me!

Well I am please to announce that through much prayer, whether it be the right way or not, it paid off! I believe that this is God's Will...if not, Hubby would not have got the job that we have been longing for since August!! Yep, Hubby is now one of two managers RIGHT below the store manager!

I couldn't be more proud of him! He so deserves this! He is very good at his job, and no, I'm not just biased. I have had many people tell me so!

I can't wait for him to start this job! It will be so nice to see him more! Right now, is works 4 days then 4 off, but he works overnights. We hardly get to see him on his days off because he sleeps. With this job, he will be on days and ONLY on days. He won't have to work overnights again! Even though he works 3 on and 3 off, he will be awake for his days off! I am so excited about him being home at night too! Momma just don't sleep well without Daddy!

Anyways, I was just so excited when I got the news this morning that I had to share it! Thanks again for the prayers!!

The worst four letter word in the world!

IRON!!

I HATE TO IRON!! It is BY FAR the chore I hate the most!

When I was in school, I hated ironing so much that my mom would yell at me for going to school with wrinkly clothes. "You are going to school like THAT?!?! It looks like you just threw something on that was wadded up in her hamper!" Umm...yeah, Mom, I am.

My dad worked overnights as a supervisor for Tyson. So in the evenings, mom would cook supper/breakfast and I would iron his work clothes. Still to this day, I hate seeing the Tyson khaki superior uniform. One morning he came home from work and told me that he knew I hated ironing, but didn't realize that I would go to such extremes to make sure he wouldn't ever ask me to iron again! What?? He then informed me that he went to work with only one pants leg ironed!! LOL!!! Yep, I only ironed one leg, and he had to go all night like that! I had to continue ironing for him until I moved out after graduation, but don't think he didn't ask me every time I ironed if I got both legs!

When I Hubby and I got together, I realized that he was indeed, and ironer. He ironed his shirts, his khakis, and his jeans. He even ironed his shorts if they weren't basketball shorts. So, of course, I started ironing my stuff too. I couldn't let him look better than me! I did that for 5 years...until I became a SAHM.

Why in the world would I iron my pajamas clothes that I wore around the house all day?!?! If I go somewhere like church, or just out of the house, I will iron. Ok, well, I throw my clothes in the dryer with a wet washcloth for 20 minutes or so. I HATE IRONING!!

Hubby, on the other hand, still has to have his work clothes ironed. I used to just be able to throw them in the dryer too, but he now has to wear these shirts that I HAVE to iron. You know...the kind that it doesn't matter how quick you take them out of the dryer after it is done, they are still wrinkly? Or the kind that the collar is so stiff that if you don't hold the iron on it for more than a few seconds, it pops right back up? Yeah, that kind.

So the past few weeks, I have had to do that chore I hate so much. When he asked me today to iron for him, I have to admit, I got a little attitude with him. Okay a LOT of attitude with him. He asked what my deal was and I had to confess that I hated ironing more than any other chore in the world. I don't think he gets it...

Materialistic Girl??

I was never the materialistic girl growing up. It was just my mom and I for about 4 years when I was little, and having name brand clothes or shoes were never an option. When my mom met the man who is now my dad, he had 3 kids from a previous marriage. They, on the other hand, enjoyed their name brand stuff. I mean if you are able to afford it, more to ya!

It was always a given, when my mom would take one of my sisters (the one closest in age to me) and I clothes shopping, she got the name brand stuff, and I didn't. It wasn't that we couldn't afford it, it just didn't matter that much to me to have that stuff. I mean, why would I spend $100 on just one outfit or maybe two, when I could spend that much on a whole crap-load of clothes!

Still to this day, I am more comfortable buying WM brand clothes like Faded Glory, then name brand stuff like, well, I can't even think of any brand name clothes...how sad is that?!?!

Unfortunately, the rest of my "wants" are not so realistic. I blame my husband. He is a giver. I know, your jealous, aren't you! He shows his love by showering me with gifts. A new set of dishes, a new set of Paula Deen cookware, and most recently (not that the others were given to my in the past month!) a new laptop that includes a huge wide screen monitor AND a blue ray player just to name a few.

Yes, it's nice, sometimes. But it does have it's downside. Romantic? HA! I don't think he even knows what that word means! I tried to get him to take me to dinner for our anniversary...didn't happen. I got my dishes and cookware. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Completely...

***************************

For once, I am feeling somewhat better and human again. Not like a stinking pig! Yep, I had the swine flu. Sorry, I mean the H1N1. At least I'm 99% sure that's what I had. I had the same symptoms that everyone that tested positive had, but I never went to the doctor. Only because everything I read about it said that most people can recover from it by just resting and drinking lots of fluids. So, that's what I did. I figured, why spend the money on a doctor bill AND medicine if I can just take OTC Thera-flu and get rid of it.

Unfortunately, because of that decision, it has taken me a LOT longer to recover than most people. I started getting sick when I woke up Sept. 12. Yes, I remember the date exactly because of this. It was the day I had my first paying photography gig! It's been almost 2 weeks and I am still feeling it! It's almost ALL gone though, and I am ready!

Both the kids are sick, but not with the flu. Bubba just has a runny nose and a cough. No fever or anything. Sissy is the same way, but with a low dose fever off and on...not bad. I took her to the doctor yesterday and he said that she just has a cold. If she starts getting a high fever to take her back in because then it is more than likely the flu. Poor kids!

And on top of that...they BOTH busted their mouths opened yesterday. Bubba was playing in the kitchen when I heard him screaming. I ran in there and he was laying in the floor. I thought that he just bumped his head and would be okay, until I seen the blood pouring from his mouth. I picked him up, got Hubby out of bed, and we tried to clean him up with a wet washcloth. I noticed that he had split that little piece of skin that connects his top lip to his gums. Less than 10 minutes after that incident, Sissy fell backwards in her chair bringing her little table down with her. Yep. It smacked her right in the mouth! I had two kids, blood gushing out of their mouths at the same time! One kid is bad enough, but two bleeding from their mouths? Not fun!!

Well, I hope that all of you guys are well and not sick. If so, I hope you get to feeling better soon!! Really! I know how miserable it is!!!

7 years in the making

Eight years ago, Hubby and I started dating.

(Our first Thanksgiving together...the week after we started dating.)

Marriage was in the talks with us. We knew wanted to but just didn't know when. In January, I proposed. Near the first of the summer we started planning a vacation for September. We were going to Pensacola to see his mom. We decided that we would get married before-hand and use the trip as our honeymoon.

(Our engagement picture)

Neither one of us wanted a fancy wedding for many reasons. So we opted to go to the courthouse and have the judge or a JP do it for us. The week before we planned on leaving, we talked about just getting married on the beach in Pensacola, but didn't know how to go about it. We planned on leaving on Sunday, and on Thursday morning, we talked about going to the courthouse Saturday....but yes, we then realized the courthouse would be closed. So since we already had our marriage license in hand, we called up the JP that worked at the local bank and asked if he would marry us the next day. Thankfully, he said yes.

So on Sept. 18, 2002 I became Mrs. Hubby! A year later, we moved from the place we called home to a place 2.5 hours away for Hubby's job. It was a very hard time for us, seeing as we didn't have any family up there, and the only "friends" we had were people we worked with. We decided to start a family after about 6 months to a year of living there. Two miscarriages later, we decided that it was time to stop trying...neither one of us could take losing another one. Especially being so far away from loved ones!

After being up there about 3 years, Hubby got the opportunity to move back "home". Of course we jumped on it in a heartbeat! We had been back home for a week, and something told me take a HPT. It was positive! But we weren't positive that things would be okay. So we tried not to get too excited. I made an appointment with an OB/GYN and he started me on some progesterone pills. They made me extremely sick, but in the end were definitely worth it.

So after 2.5 years of trying to get pregnant, on October 17, 2006, the Lord blessed us with a beautiful little girl. I know that He had a plan for us, and it didn't include having a baby so far away from our families. We were truly blessed!

(Daddy, Mommy, and Sissy)

The next year was a whirlwind. We loved our little girl so much, and our love for each other continued to grow. We had so much fun as a family and decided that since it took so long for us to get pregnant with Sissy, that when she turned 2, we would start trying for another one. The Lord, of course, had different plans. A about a month or so after Sissy's 1st birthday, I was having a conversation with a co-worker that led to me taking a pregnancy test...long story. Yep, pregnant. I wasn't so sure about it, I mean they would only be 21 months apart! Would I be able to handle it? Would Sissy be able to handle it? Would our family be able to it?

But that didn't matter...because on July 15, 2008, Bubba was born. We couldn't be happier! Our family felt complete.

(Mommy, Daddy, Sissy, and Bubba)

The past 7 years of our marriage have had its ups and downs, but we wouldn't change any part of it. We love our kids and we love each other! Who knew that 11 years ago when we first met, we would have the life and family that we have know. Filled with love, laughter, kids, and each other!

(Daddy, Bubba, Mommy, on Bubba's 1st Birthday)

Happy Anniversary, Hubby! Here's to many, many, MANY more!!! I love you!!

Almost Famous..My Big Debut

Remember this post? Well, I went and bought the local paper that came out today and noticed a familiar looking picture on the front page! Yep...it was mine! :D

This picture was front page, top half of the paper, in color! Yay me!!

After seeing it, tears formed in my eyes. Not for the reason you think! Any time one of us was in the paper, my grandma would call and tell us how proud she was. She made sure and cut it out and save it to give to us at a later date. She was very proud of all of us. As I am typing this, tears are forming again.

Anyways, my mom took the place of calling me. Tonight she called to tell me congratulations on making the front page and that she was very proud of me. It, again, reminded me of Granny. I have been thinking of her a lot lately. Not only is this going to be the first holiday season since she has been gone, but her birthday is also coming up. Sissy was born the day before her birthday so it's always going to be a reminder of her. The other day I was looking at the obits on the funeral home page, (no I'm not morbid, I was trying to find an obit on a recent death), and I came across hers. I decided to read the online guest book and came across some entries that brought tears to my eyes. Ones from distant family members, and others from friends.

Another thing that gets me is that the day after my grandmother passed, we went down to my grandparent's Pop's house for dinner. God helped me realize that she was in a much better place. The radio station I was listening to played a new song by Chris Tomlin. It's called "I Will Rise". It definitely helped me through it. Now though, we sing it almost every Sunday in church, and of course, like a big baby, I start tearing up.

Okay...now I am bawling like a baby! I'm so glad you guys can't see me!

Sorry.... As I started this post, my intentions were not to take the sappy route. In fact, it was supposed to be a post about my photography "business" getting up and running, hopefully, by this exposure....no pun intended.

Maybe next time...

You want what for breakfast?!?!

It's 9:30am and this is the conversation Sissy and I just had:

Sissy: Where's my lunch?!?!? (in an ever so demanding loving tone)

Me: Lunch?!? You haven't even eaten breakfast yet!

Sissy: Ummm...I want popsicle!

Me: Ummm....nooooo

Sissy: You make me crryy (in a 'I'll do it if I don't get my way' tone)

Yep...I do believe we have said that to her one to many times! LOL

It's Final!

Jen wrote about an "I Love You Cake" that she did. Totally cute and sweet idea! She asked what creative way we have told (or been told) I love you. Hubby and I will be celebrating our 7 year anniversary in 4 days so I thought this would be a good time to tell you about our proposal!

My ex and I had filed for divorce shortly before Hubby and I started dating. Even though we hadn't been dating that long, we knew we wanted to be together forever. Marriage was being talked about within a month of us being together. Around Christmas, he had bought me an engagement/wedding ring set but held on to it until my divorce was final.

The day that my lawyer called to tell me that it was final was the happiest day of my life....for more than the obvious reason! I bought a cookie cake from the bakery and had them write "It's Final" on it. Then I went to the house, Hubby worked overnights at the time and was sleeping, set up a ring of candles on the floor, and had the cookie hiding under the couch. I then went and woke him up and asked him to come in the living room.

When he walked in there, I was sitting in the middle of the candles, waiting. I asked him if he would marry me. He laughed and said, "I told you I would." "Tomorrow?" I asked. "What?!?!?" was his reply...LOL!

I then brought out the cookie and told him, "We can do it tomorrow if we wanted, because 'It's Final'!!!" He just hugged me and told me that he was surprised that I proposed to him but that he would LOVE to marry me!

8 months later, Sept 18, 2002, we were married at one of the local banks by a JP. Yes, a little out of the ordinary, but it's the people that make the marriage, not the place!

How were you proposed to? Or if you proposed, how did you do it??

Photo Gig, and I'm sick??

This past week my friend, Stacy, called me about doing a photography gig for her. She was double booked and needed help. Of course, I agreed. Though I did have a little anxiety issues. This was my first paying gig after all.

After a couple of phone calls, I get the call that my bid was approved! I was super excited but super nervous as well. I don't have the best camera...it's a Sony Cybershot so I wasn't going to really "professional". I told everyone I was an amateur professional! LOL

Anyways, I woke up yesterday morning, the morning of the gig, and felt sick. My throat was sore, my head was stopped up a little, and my chest felt like an elephant was sitting on it. But, the show must go on...and I went to work. It has been dreary and rainy here for the last few days, and yesterday wasn't any different. Thankfully, the majority of the time, the festivites were inside. We were only outside for about an hour or so. When the job was done, I came home only to be greeted to two very tired children. I laid them down, and went to WM for a few groceries. Hubby refused to go so he opted to stay with the sleeping kids.

When I got home, I planned on taking a nap and try to feel a little better. Didn't happen! I had to start dinner, clean the kitchen, and by then the kids were awake. No nap for Mama. When I did finally go to bed, I was so sick and stuffed up, that I couldn't lay down flat, and couldn't sleep for nothing! I tried to take a hot shower, but to no avail.

This morning I woke up feeling 10 times worse!! My ears are stopped up. My nose is runny, yet stuffy. My throat is still sore. And yes, the elephant is still sitting on my chest, along with the whole upper part of my body. I really hope I am not getting the flu. The "wonderful" swine flu has made its way to this part of the country (what part of the country has it NOT made it to?) and now I am of course paranoid that I have it. Not a big deal for me, I just don't want my kids to get it! And if I have it, they will probably too! :(

So I am sick, I need to burn about 6 more picture cds, tend to the kids, all while trying to keep the house some what decent looking. Oh and I'm thinking that my nephew that I normally keep on Mondays, is not going to want to be around me like this.

Now I will leave you with a few of my fave pictures from yesterday. They are from the Hebert A. Littleton Medal of Honor Ceremony.

The curse

I am blessed, or cursed...depending on how you look at it, with the ability to see both sides to every story. How did this come about? I blame my mother. Yep. She did it to me. You see, after she divorced my biological father and married the man I call, and have for the past 20 years of my life, Dad, she and I would have some "heart to hearts". She told me, from the time I was old enough to understand what she was saying, that there are always 3 sides to every story. "His" side, "Her" side, and the truth.

I do believe that is when the "curse" started taking affect.

It's not so bad, most of the time, but it does end up putting me in the middle of a lot of things. The fact that I hate confrontation and try to be the peacemaker, doesn't help! Also, not only does it tend to make me second guess myself, a LOT, but it also makes those annoying little voices in my head argue with each other!

So what is all of this about?

Well, I have recently been thinking about my past. Things that I have said, or done. Things I should have said, or done. It makes me wonder where I would be or what I would be doing if certain things were still the same. As I mature as a Christian, certain things from my past are harder for me to accept and forgive myself for. Though I know that after asking Christ for His forgiveness, He has done just that, it's still hard for me to do the same.

I try not to be hard on myself over all those things and realize where I am now and where my life is headed.

I mean, c'mon, I have a wonderful, loving, hardworking, kind-hearted (though sometimes it's hard to see that...LOL), gorgeous husband. I have two wonderful, sweet, loving, beautiful children. I have wonderful, amazing, loving family and friends. I have a wonderful church home that includes a wonderful church family. And more importantly, I serve a wonderful, loving, forgiving, amazing God!

So all in all...my life is, well, wonderful!

So why do I try and second guess and belittle myself for my previous mistakes. Is it because I don't want to make those same mistakes EVER again? Maybe because I am embarrassed as a Christian woman of the mistakes that I have made? Or is it because I should be able to learn from those mistakes and move on and it's hard for me to?

How do I get out of this funk and move on with my life? I have repented of these sins, and asked for forgiveness, so why is it so hard to forgive myself?

Mumbo Jumbo

I've kinda been MIA from blogging for a few days. I've had so much stuff running through my head, but I didn't really want to talk about it for fear of jinxing it all. So a LOT of prayers have been said, and a LOT of fingers (and toes) have been crossed instead. I'm hoping that we will have get some news next week sometime and if so, you can definitely count on a post about it.

Hubby and my anniversary is coming up in less than two weeks. We will be married for 7 years. It doesn't feel like that long ago. Guess that's a good thing. Hubby has already given me a couple of presents, which is normal for him. I'm used to it by now. Anyways, he bought me the 8th season of Smallville on DVD. Remember this post? We all Jordan and I have been watching the previous seasons non-stop. The only time I have watched actual TV is when Big Brother comes on! We are gearing up for the season 9 premiere airing September 25...still a ways away, I know.

He also bought me the dishes that I have been wanting since before my birthday! I am so L.O.V.ing these dishes!!

I won a give-away on Lauren Nicole Gifts for some awesome Vera Bradley fabric napkins. I am still trying to decide what to do with it, I am NOT a sewer at all!

Bubba has learned this cheeser look. When you ask him, "Cheeser" he will do it for you! Such a cutie! But I am kinda biased!! LOL

That's about all I got right now. Hopefully by next week I will have more to say! Until then... Au revoir.

Prayers Welcomed!

If you read this post, and happen to recall the last thing I asked, it was for your prayers. Well, Hubby didn't get the promotion that he was hoping for at that time. But we were optimistic in the next opportunity that should arise.

Well that time has come, and I again ask for your prayers. It's not a definite yet, but very possible. I ask that you pray for God's will be done. If it's not His will for this to happen, I ask that you pray for our understanding of His will.

Photo Meme Tag

I have been tagged!

Sugar Mama from Sugar Britches tagged me in a photo meme. This is how it works:

Go to the place where you upload all your photos. If you don’t upload them online, just go to wherever you store your pics on your computer. Open the oldest album, and post the first photo. Then tell the story behind it. Then tag 3 people!

Sissy has always been one to be able to fall asleep almost anywhere, at any time, in any position. She was probably about 18 months old here. She was watching TV and got tired. So she grabbed her pillow and climbed under the rug and fell asleep. LOL

I don't want to tag just three people so I am tagging ALL of you!! I would love to see your pics so lets see them!!

In the news

Yesterday the kids went to the Mother's Day Out Program...without me. I didn't have to work, so I took advantage of the program and dropped my kiddos off while I had some Mommy Time. I had made an appointment to get my hair "fixed" after the blotched cut I got from Hubby's Aunt LW. I love the woman to death, but I have come to realize that free isn't always better. If you had read this previous post or this one, you would know that I didn't care for the cut, yet tried to make it work. A week had gone by, and I still didn't "like" it. I dealt with it, but that was about it.

So I made an appointment with LE, a girl I went to school with, and headed to see her after dropping the kids off at MDO. I told her what I wanted, and voilà! No problems what so ever!

So....

(From this...)

(To this....)

(And finally this!)

I love it! I had it this way a few times before and always liked it. But then I would get to that stage of wanting it long again, and would grow it out. But, as you can see from the first picture, when my hair is long, it looks horrid!! Granted, it wasn't fixed in that picture, in fact I had just taken it out of a ponytail when it was taken.

Anyways, I have started keeping my nephew, GB, on Mondays and have so much fun with him! So does Sissy and Bubba!! They were playing basketball in the dining area and stopped for a picture. I am absolutely LOOOOOVing this picture! It just warmed my heart that Bubba walked up behind both Sissy and GB and put his arms around them. How cute is that?!?!

Hubby's schedule will change this Saturday and I am having mixed feelings about it. He will go from working 4 on, 3 off to working 4 on, 4 off. I am excited for the fact that he will have more days off to spend with us...his family! But it was kinda nice that he always had the same days off and on. Now, they will change week to week. Does that even make sense to you??

The past two days Hubby, the kids, and I (mostly myself and Sissy) have been participating in a Smallville DVD marathon. We have been preparing for not only the Season 8 DVD set that just came out, but for the Season 9 premiere on Sept. 25th!! YAY!! And no, I don't just watch it because of this guy....

(HHHHOOOOOTTTT!!)

....but it sure doesn't hurt either! Ahhhhhhh