I'm Baaack!

Yes, I have been gone!!

I have lots of things to post about, not sure if it's something any of you would be interested in though.

First off, Bubba's 1st birthday party went off with out a hitch. In fact better than that, thanks to my wonderful dad. Hubby and I had decided when we started planning it that we were going the cheap and simple route when it came to food and drinks. Water and Capri Suns to drink then turkey and cheese sandwiches, chips and dip, crackers and cubed cheese...yes finger foods for a party that was from 10a-1p.

When we got there at 9a and got started putting things to gather, my dad, a manly man, decided that we couldn't just do sandwiches and chips and dip for Bubba's 1st birthday party. So he got with my sister before she headed down and told her to bring some hamburger and hot dog buns (behind my back!) He decided that was going to grill!! I didn 't realize this until he fired up the grill and started digging patties and hot dogs out.

The kids, and some of us adults, had lots of fun swimming! Sissy screamed and threw a big fit about getting in the water (she would have rather sat on the ladder and watched), but in the end, she had lots of fun.

Bubba loved (as always) just chilling and floating around the pool in his baby float and fisher's hat. He looked so cute and just smiled the whole time. He probably would have stayed in there if I wouldn't have made him get out for food, presents, and cake.

One of my friends was taking some pictures for me when we handed Bubba his cupcake with his "1" candle on it. I was trying to tell her how to make the flash work right when it happened. Poor guy is just like his big sister and decided to blow out the candle with his finger....I know, cue "bad mommy" comments now. After that Daddy and I got our picture taken with the birthday boy where he tried to feed Daddy a bite. Yes, Daddy took it!


I do believe that Bubba thought the cake was good (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of it before we cut into it...figures!). I mean, the boy ate his cupcake, a small piece, and then some off of Daddy's plate! And no. He was not up all day after that. Sugar seems to do the opposite to my kids and it makes them sleepy. Thank goodness!

All in all, I think that everyone had a blast. I am so grateful that my parents are willing and able to let us have my kids parties at their house. Sissy told me today that she wanted a pool party for her birthday. I had to inform her that a pool party in October would probably NOT be a good idea.

Water and Hair?!?!

I am a believer that God provides. Sometimes it's in a way that seems more like concideince, yet I know it's Him.

Case in point: For Bubba's birthday party Saturday, we decided that we would go the cheap route and buy Capri Suns for the kids and water for the adults. Plain and boring, yes, but cheap and simple. I didn't want to have to buy 10 different kinds of soda to try and please everyone...if you have kept up with my posts, you would know this is a new thing for me.

Anyways, I had gotten some of the non-perishable items for the party already, except for the water...was trying to wait until the cheap stuff was back on the shelf.

Today, I had to take Bubba to his one year doctor check-up. Afterwards, instead of going straight home, I decided that I NEEDED a Sonic Strawberry Limeade Chiller. If you haven't had one, try one...A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!! After that I dropped off Bubba's prescription for Flouride at my pharmacy. I decided to take the back road home, which happens to go past my church.

As I was turning off the highway on to that road, I noticed about 5 cars parked on the side of the road. People were picking up water bottles that had fallen off a trailer. My first thought was, "Aww...man. That stinks. Hope it wasn't someone from our church." As I drove by, I noticed that it was our children's minister's truck that was attached to the trailer.

I turned around, trying to find a place to park, so that I could help. Turns out he was taking the cases of water to the church to give away, and didn't tie it down on the trailer, so it all spilled out as I took the turn. I followed him to the church, where someone was waiting with a pallet jack, and myself along with another member of the church, helped unload the water. There were quite a bit of loose water bottles and broken cases.

As we were finishing up, our C.M. told me to take a case or two home with me, that's what they were for anyways. I made a joke that we could just load up all the loose ones into the back of my car and I could use them for Bubba's party. He agreed and told me to pull my car up and we would load it down. Sure enough...the back of my car was full of water bottles, both loose and broken cases.

(The back of my car loaded down with water...and I already took 2 cases and about a handful of loose bottles in to the house before this.)

Why did I tell you that story? Well, I truly believe that it was God's way of providing us with the water. Concidence? Maybe. God's doings? Definitely!

Oh and on another note: Hubby cut shaved Bubba's hair. Yep it went from this...

(Just look at his hair..LOL)

to this....

(Yep...it's all gone!)

Hubby assures me that it WILL grow back okay. I know it will, but my poor boy won't have hair for his party. I'm hoping he will keep a hat on his head so it doesn't get burned.

Happy 1st Birthday, Bubba Man!!

If you haven't already read about my L & D story on my blog, and would like to, click here.

Otherwise, I will spare you the long story and just give you a post of pictures from the past year.

(Ultrasound Picture)

(7-15-2008)

(8-2008)

(9-2008)

(10-2008)

(11-2008)

(12-2008)

(1-2009)

(2-2009)

(3-2009)

(4-2009)

(5-2009)

(6-2009)

(7-15-2009)

(Hubby, Sissy, Me, and Bubba, the day Bubba was born!!)

(Hubby, Sissy, and Bubba on Daddy and Sissy's date night 6-2009)

Mom's Letter

No, we were not trying for you. In fact you were very unexpected at the time, and a huge surprise! But it was the best surprise your daddy and I have ever had!

After I got over my initial shock of finding out we were pregnant, just days after Sissy's 1st Birthday, I was estactic.

Maybe, just maybe, you would be the boy that we wanted and would make our family complete. 4 months later, we found out that, yes indeed, you were a boy!

We couldn't have been happier! But little did we know that, yes we could be.

When you arrived in the wee morning (1:53 am) July 15, 2008, though we were all, especially me, exhausted, we were very excited and happy that we could now hold you in our arms!

You have been our little "big" man for the past year. Before you started walking, at 10 months, you were one of the chunkiest, yet most handsome infant boy we had ever seen. At 9 months old, you were wearing 12-18 month clothes! Your pants had to be 18 month to be able to snap over your belly, though sometimes they still didn't, yet were so long we had to roll them!

When you started walking, you started slimming up. Yes you were/are still a big boy, but you fit into age/size appropriate clothes. You are still my handsome little man! You are the most loving, cuddly, happy go lucky, little boy we have ever known!

Watching you interact with Sissy, other kids, and us, makes my heart go pitter patter. Listening to you laugh, makes my heart laugh. Hearing you cry, makes my heart cry. Seeing you smile, makes my heart smile. Having you in my life, makes my heart complete!

I Love You, Bubba Man! Happy 1st Birthday!!!

B.U.G.S. ~ Big Ugly Gross Stinkers

I HATE insects! The sight of any kind of creepy, crawly, disease carrying, biting, annoying little insect, and I freak. And I seem to attract just those type!

I was thinking about this last night, laying in bed, scratching one, or two, of my 20 bug bites that I have on me right now.

When I was in HS, there was this girl that her legs were always covered in bites. And not just 5 or 6 bites that were red and swollen, but 20 to 30 bites that were scabbed over and bleeding. Yes, it's gross I know, but I am scared to death that I look like that girl to everyone else...just without the scabbed over and bleeding part.

I don't know what it is, but we can be anywhere at any time of day and I can get bit. It doesn't matter what kind of chemicals I have on me or burning near me, I still get bit. It doesn't matter if I'm inside or outside, I still get bit. It doesn't matter if I have on a long sleeve shirt and pants, I still get bit. It doesn't matter if I am up and moving or sleeping peacefully in my bed...I.STILL.GET.BIT!!

Right now, I seem to have a swarm of gnats in my house that I can't get rid of, no matter how clean my kitchen is. They will sit on my ceiling and wait until just the right moment and fly down! I know, I've seen them sitting there, waiting to annoying me!

Along with these "baby flies" as Sissy calls them, there is a mosquito, or two, hiding with them. Every single night, I go to sleep, only to awake the next morning to new itching, annoying, little bites!

To add to my horror, I awoke this morning, got Bubba out of his bed, and let him play in the kitchen for a little it while I got his breakfast, a cereal bar and a banana, ready. I placed him in his chair, turned to get him some Alpha-Bits, and when I took a step, a BIG spider ran out from under me. I was thisclose to stepping on that nasty thing. Not only that, but Bubba could have gotten a hold of that thing. I don't know what kind it was, but I wasn't going to let it stick around while I found out, I chunked a shoe at it, and smashed that gross thing!

I hope you guys don't have this same problem, if you do, I feel for you. I really do!

What's in store

I've got a lot going on in the next couple of weeks or so!

1. Bubba turns 1 on Wednesday, July 15th! So look forward to the past year review of my little "big" man!
2. We are throwing Bubba a pool party on Saturday, July 18th, at my parents' house, so there WILL be lots of pictures from that!
3. My MIL will be in for a week long vacation either Saturday or Sunday, July 18th or 19th. So I will probably be MIA for most of that time...but rest assured that when I return... there WILL be pictures and lots of stories!
4. AND this is my 91st post...so I am currently looking for a kick awesome give-away item for my 100th post Post-stacular!!!

On another note: My weekend was pretty good. Friday night we went to our good friends, The M's, house to watch a movie (Knowing) and eat a fantabulous dinner. The movie was interesting, in a creepy kind of way. Saturday evening when Hubby got home, we went out to the river with Hubby's aunt K and cousin. While the boys dug, K, the kids, and myself sat in the water and watched. It was quite relaxing...for us! Sunday the kids and I went to church then to my grandpa's house for lunch. Then back to church for drama practice and then off to a wonderful small group get-together.

Hubby is off today and after he mowed the back yard we are trying to decide what we want for lunch and what we are going to do today.

Hope you guys have a wonderful week! Stay cool!!

To do or not to do...that is the question!

Well the bride of the wedding that I was supposed to photgraph on the 18th called and left me a message today saying that her and the groom can't afford a photgrapher so she is going to have her aunt do it.

*

I am having many mixed emotions about this. I mean, I told her $250, which I don't think was too expensive. Factoring in the fact that I would HAVE to buy another memory card and an extra battery, I would be there for pictures on rehearsal night, and planned to be there 3 1/2 hours before the wedding started to whenever the bride and groom leave. Then photoshopping the pictures after that. So basically after buying the extra stuff, I would be left with about $150 profit which woul be awesome for our staycation that coming week. Oh and the wedding is the day of Bubba's birthday party, so then if I don't do it, I would be able to spend more time at the party instead of rushing around to get everything done. AHHH

*

So many feelings about it, just don't know what to do. Do I lower the price to like $150 and make a $50 profit and get my foot in the photography door. Or do I not worry about it all and spend the day with my son, family, and friends on his 1st birthday. I mean he does only turn 1 once!!

*

I just don't know...

My God is an Awesome God!!

I have got so much on my mind lately that I thought I would write another post today.

*

I have been struggling with leaving things in God's hands lately. I have been stressed for a few weeks over a couple of different things. Money is ALWAYS an issue. With me being a SAHM, I don't have an income. Hubby has a decent paying job, but it covers bills and that is about it. Not food, not gas, not diapers, not wipes, not essentials, not "just for fun". Bills!

*

It kinda stinks. No, not kinda, it A LOT stinks!! I have a tendency to NOT ask God for His help and to remove my stress from me. I pray that He does on an "almost" daily basis, but when I have certain things come up, I tend to forget to ask.

*

As in my last post, when I finally asked for His help in removing the stress from me about Bubba's birthday party and the wedding photographing gig, he did. And now I feel better about those things.

*

But I have been stressing over money a LOT these past few weeks. Trying to figure out how I am going to pay for Bubba's birthday present(s), the food and what-not for his party, and getting the extra memory sticks and battery for the wedding gig. I finally sat down today and asked for His help calming me and relieving me of my stress. About an hour ago, I got the thought to sit down and right out our budget for this week, Hubby gets paid Thursday. For some odd reason, our water bill (which is normally $60+) has had the deposit applied to it, which leaves us with a $25 credit! We don't have to pay a water bill this month! On top of that, after all the bills are paid, we will still have plenty of money to buy EVERY thing I need, AND have some left over!! WHEW!!

*

God DOES provide!!

Matthew 6: 25-32

25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

My 4th of July Weekend

I have been MIA for a few days, only because I have been too stressed, too busy, and too lazy to sit down and type anything.

*

The night I got the call to photograph my friend's daughter's wedding, I was so nervous and worried about doing a good job that I made myself sick. Literally!! I was up until 3am the next morning sick to my stomach and not able to sleep. It was horrible. I was so sick and my mind was racing so much that I didn't even think to stop and pray about it. The next morning, I woke up, prayed about the whole thing, and less than an hour and a half later, the bride called me. We had a phone consultation for about 15-20 minutes. I felt so much better after that. It made me stop and think, "You know, if I would have just done that to begin with, I wouldn't have made myself so sick with worry. I should have just put it in God's hands to start with!" I'm still working on that one...I have a hard time giving my insecurities to Him. I know I should, but it's still a struggle.

*

Friday night we (Drama Ministry Team) had our dress rehearsal for our first skit. Two of our main parts where not there. The person who was supposed to play Satan and the one who was supposed to play Jesus. Of course, just my luck! Thankfully, God was watching over us, we had extra people show up. We had two guys fill in for Satan and Jesus, and myself and the Youth Minister decided that they should play the parts for the actual skit Sunday morning. Come Sunday morning, the guy (who is my cousin) that was supposed to play Jesus came in and said he understood why he lost his part, but that he would be willing to play a demon if we needed him to. Of course we did, because one of the guys who was at rehearsal, wasn't at church for the actual skit! UGH....why can't the same people be there, ALL.THE.TIME?!?! Anyways, the skit went perfect! I am so proud of the kids!! They touched SO many hearts with that skit. And of course...I forgot my camera...FIGURES! But as soon as I get the DVD of it, I will try and post it for you guys to see.

*

Saturday, Hubby had to be at work at 5pm. We were having a family get-together out at the mountains, but Hubby didn't want to only be out there for an hour or two and then have to race back for him to get ready for work. So the kids and I went by ourselves...and guess what...NO CAMERA!!!

*

Saturday night, while Hubby was at work, the kids and I went to my parents house for supper and to shoot off fireworks. Last year, my little sister hurt her ankle doing fireworks. One of the fireworks had tipped over and was shooting off towards the house where everyone was sitting on the front porch. She twisted her ankle trying to get inside. This year, they were all talking about it. Well, low and behold...I got hurt this year, and there weren't even any fireworks going off yet!! I was carrying Bubba's playpen trying to put it on the sidewalk and I twisted my ankle trying to step up on it. So the whole time during the "show", I sat in my mom's Zero Gravity Chair with ice on my ankle. Of course, I didn't have to chase kids or have them waller all over me, so it wasn't too bad! LOL. I did get a few pictures before the "accident", but none of the fireworks...again, FIGURES!

(Sissy and Bubba posing for Mom at Nana's house)

(I think Little Miss has gotten used to the camera now!)

(Sissy and my nephew, CH, playing "Pop the Bubble")

(Sissy after eating some watermelon)

(I love this picture...Bubba eating watermelon, on his first 4th of July, at Nana's house. Why do I love it so much?? Because of this...)

(This is Sissy eating watermelon, on her first 4th of July, at Nana's house!!)
*

Sunday morning we had our skit, then the whole family went to my grandpa's house for lunch. Then it was home for a nap before I had to be back at church at 4pm for a meeting, drama practice, and then small groups. I wasn't able to get a nap in, but the kids stayed home with Hubby and I apparently didn't wake up until right before I got home at 8pm! They were EXHAUSTED!

*

This week should be a little calmer, hopefully less stressful. But we will see about that.....

OMG!!

OMG!!!

*

I don't think I have ever said that...until today....starting about 45 minutes ago!! And I believe that I have said it about 100 times since then!!

*

I got a phone call from one of friends asking if I knew of any good photographers for her daughter's wedding. As I was thinking about it, she interrupted me with a question which not only took me by surprised, but left me speechless...I know, I know. ME? Speechless?? Her question? "So I take it you wouldn't want to do it?!?!?"

*

In true Hannah Montana (yes, we watch that!) fashion...Say What?!?!?

*

-Me: Are you serious? You want me to do it?

-DS: Well, yeah, but by the way you didn't catch on to that "good" photographer part, I don't know if I want you to now! Haha"

-Me: Well, I didn't realize that you thought I was "good" enough...especially not to do her wedding!"

-DS: Yeah I do! Would you?

-Me: Sure...if your sure.

-DS: Yes, I'm sure.

-Me: Then okay!

*

OMG!!!!

*

This will not only be my first wedding shoot, but my first paid shoot! I am SOOOO stinking nervous!!!

*

Oh and to make it worse...it's July 18th! Yes, the day that I just quit stressing about a few days ago. The day that I was starting to stress about again. The day of Bubba's birthday party! His party was planned at 2pm-5pm. The wedding is at 630pm that evening. I do believe that I am going to have to move the party time to 10am-1pm.

*

Oh what a time to have a party! But I think that it would be better for me to be at the wedding a few hours before it started to get pictures of them getting ready, as opposed to one hour before and try and rush around getting everything they wanted!

*

OMG!!!!!

*

Now, on top of birthday party stress, I have wedding shoot stress, AND my MIL will more than likely be in that evening. It's going to be a looong day!

*

Wish me lots of luck...Lord knows I am going to need it!!

Problem Child

My sister-in-law is the Nursery Director at our church. As a Committee Member and a Volunteer, I have certain obligations to fulfill. One of them is to help in a room on the Lord's Supper Nights every so often. I still get to partake in it in the classroom, as long as I have the time to right my heart before-hand. As a volunteer, if we have a child that acts up...to where we have to discipline them (place them in time-out), we have to tell the Director (my SIL) before informing the parent.

*

Last night was one of those nights. We had a child that was a little rambunctious. Later that evening, after I got home, I called her. This was our conversation:

*

-Me: "SIL", we had a problem child tonight.

-SIL: Okay, what happened?

-Me: Well...she was pushing kids, yelling at them, taking toys away from them.

-SIL: Oh no.

-Me: Yeah, I had to sit her in the corner 3 times.

-SIL: Oh man!

-Me: Yeah, it got so bad that I almost spanked her little bo-bo. (Which btw, we would NEVER EVER do!!)

-SIL: Ummm....okay.

-Me: Yeah, it was pretty bad!

-SIL: Well, who was it?

-Me: "Sissy"

-SIL: HAHAHA!!! Oh Shauna! Your so funny!!

-Me: No, I'm serious, "SIL", she was really bad!!!

*

Yes, MY child was the problem child last night!! I asked the lady that is in there all the time with them if she was always like this. She said no, that it was just when I was in there that she acted like that! Are you kidding me? I would think that my child would be less likely to act up when I was in there, for fear of the ramifications! Nope...just the opposite!

*

SIL told me that the nights I worked, she would move me out of there. It would be so bad, but I was having to spend the majority of the time getting on to her, putting her in time out, or calming her down because I was paying another child attention! She was acting like she was the only child at home...which, of course, she is not!

*

It's also amazing that she does NOT act that way at home...I don't know what her deal is when we are at church! UGH!!