Mommy Eclectic!

Doggy Ears

2012-02-28T20:46:00.000-06:00

I have a new friend that is going to the Women's Retreat with me this weekend. We are all doing something quirky and fun for our first night there. She needed doggy ears for her outfit and so I offered to make her some. It was so easy that I felt I needed to share. I went to the Dollar Tree and went on the hunt for bunny ears that I would then paint. Well, their bunny ears weren't adjustable so they were bunny ears or nothing else. :( I was just about to check out when I saw these brown hair wraps. I thought, "hmmm, adjustable and brown, this will work!". I took the 2 adjustable hair wraps, formed two dog ears and then weaved the excess wrap around to secure it to the headband. I think they came out pretty good. You know I had to have my two little models show them off for me! Thanks, girlies!

Creativity

2012-02-23T10:36:00.000-06:00

I have finally started getting my creative groove on! I am trying to do a project every week, if not every two weeks. This is my latest project.
Last Fall, I went to a consignment sale in Crestview and got a double bed comforter set - comforter, shams, sheets, the works for only $15! Wow, I know. For the project, I took the pillowcase and used it for inspiration. A blank canvas and acrylic paints and I was off and running. It only took me about an hour and a half. That is good considering the girls were here and I had several "mommy, I need" interruptions. I like those much better than the "stop being mean to your sister" interruptions. LOL Anywho, I think it turned out pretty good. In the pillowcase there is some splotches of paint and by accident I was able to splotch the bottom because of the tape marking the line. I love cool mistakes that turn out to have been needed!!

above is the pillowcase for inspiration. to the left is a close-up of the painting and to the right is what it looks like hanging with the comforter set up. :)

So what do you think?

Valentines Gifts

2012-02-13T14:06:00.002-06:00

It is always incredible when I actually finish something ahead of time. I am more used to getting things done just in the nick of time, no more time left! I had the forethought to actually order the shovels and get them in a few weeks ago. So here we are the day BEFORE Valentines day and they are done, wrapped up and ready to go! Woo Hoo!!
I originally saw this idea in the Family Fun magazine. I looked on Pinterest to get the particulars. I created the tab on my The Print Shop Deluxe 20 program that I have had forever. I ordered the shovels from Ebay for only $19.95 for 30 shovels with no shipping. Brooke's class is getting Kit Kats and Madi's class is getting sunglasses (there are allergies in her class). I tried to come up with something quirky that went with the sunglasses but decided to ditch that effort. I didn't want to get sidetracked so I continued with just the I DIG YOU! saying. LOL
I got the bags from the Dollar Tree - it's a 40 count bag so there are a few left over. The Kit Kats were $3 a bag and I needed 2 bags. (none of those leftover, haha) The sunglasses were left over from a birthday give-a-way. There were 10 in the package and it was $2. The ribbon was in my craft stash so no $$ there.
All in all, the whole project was $28.95 for 24 classmates, 2 neighbors and 2 family members with 2 shovels left = a little over a dollar a piece. Not too shabby!

Tell me what you think and share what you did for your child's class.
Most importantly, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Passion

2012-01-17T20:38:00.000-06:00

Passion has been a recurring vocabulary word lately! What is my passion? What should be my passion? How can I find my passion? My passion.....
Wow... that is A LOT to think about. I have been working toward something for so long, I know that "it" is right here and I just have to feel blessed by it and embrace it.
I have always dreamed of being an artist. That dream is coming true. It is somewhat overwhelming. Doing something artistic really brings out your emotions. It's like I am wearing my heart on my sleeves. I want people to "like" my work, I want them to "buy" my work. I have found that it's quite hard to price something that you create. I am looking at what others have created that is similar and then trying to get a median price.
Becoming a mom has always been a passion of mine. Well...I'm a mommy now, so I don't have to continue to dream of being a mom, I have to embrace it and LOVE it as I do. I guess the same goes for being an artist. Hmmmm? That's a really cool thought! Embrace art!
I have lots of projects that I am working on - some with painting, some with digital photos, and some with actual photos. It is very exciting to me to have all of my dreams coming true in so many different ways. I don't want to take advantage of any moment. I want to enjoy and fulfill all that is meant for me to accomplish in this lifetime. I will keep you posted...... In the meantime, CELEBRATE LIFE!!!!

Locks of Love at 4 years old

2012-01-08T10:38:00.002-06:00

I just think it's so amazing that my four year old chose to have her hair cut. Then while we were talking about the style that she wanted, I mentioned Locks of Love. She jumped at the chance to "give back". She has the most wonderful love for people, animals, etc. It's genuine, it's sweet!

My mom did a great job on her hair! Thanks, Mom!! Her MiMi had to handle the first hair cut of any length - of course! It's just the way we do things.....how Madi would say it - That's the way we do it!

Here's a glimpse of our fun:

just getting started - tangles have to go first

MiMi is proud to cut her granddaughter's hair

Brooke is admiring her before the cut self in the mirror

measurements made after ponytail was put in

here we go with the first cut

MiMi is not as excited - a little nervous

wow, it's gone, yet still SO cute!

beauty school time in the bathroom

I remember sitting up on the sink for mom to cut my hair when I was little

The after - quite lovely, don't you think?

So proud of my little "big" girl! **heavy sigh**

Another Day in Sterling Heights, MI

2012-01-02T11:53:00.000-06:00

We are still here in Michigan and although it is c-o-l-d, there is NO snow. Boo! We started the day with the yummy free breakfast at the Hyatt Place. Then we had to say bye-bye to Uncle Mike, Aunt Terri, Cori, Erika, & Justin. Terri & Mike ventured out to the Ford dealership the day before and came back to the hotel with a new vehicle. Now they are headed back to North Carolina.

the cousins hang out

Mom & her two boys

Mom & Dad with their boys

Terri and I standing with my girls in the outfits that they got for them from the Disney Store
*********************************************************************

We have been on the lookout for things to do besides be encompassed in 4 walls to too long of a period of time. Today we heard about "The Bounce House". Thank you to Terri for giving us the thought! The staff and all the bouncey houses were great! There were video games that went around the perimeter. I got to enjoy Centipede for the first time in the long time. I got the high score.....just sayin'. LOL As you can see below, the girls had a blast!

The Nature Center

2011-12-29T23:12:00.000-06:00

We had such a wonderful time at the Nature Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The staff is so friendly (thank you, Pat) and the exhibits just right for our family. The girls had a fun time walking around with the magnifying glasses looking at EVERYTHING! It was cute! Then it was time to see the snake! Brooke was a pro at petting and handling the snake. It was obvious that she LOVED every minute of it. They both had a turn at holding it all by themselves and then they held it together. It was a great way to spend a cold afternoon.

"magnifying" the snake

Daddy is reading to Brooke about the beavers

looking through the binoculars

pure joy is written all over her face

she was just so comfortable

the girls holding the fox snake together

the group - Justin, Madi, me, Brooke, Mom Wright and my honey, Steve

Day 45

2011-10-20T15:24:00.000-05:00

I am kind of snickering at the title of this post ~ Day 45, as if that is a planned out update. I failed at my first attempt at healthier eating. The bread issue was waylaid for about 3 weeks. (bread issue = when I eat bread, I bloat, I love bread and want it at every meal!!) And so, I begin again!
I have done a couple of things right. I created a Menu Board that lists the menu for the week. Not only does this help me to stay on task but it also helps me keep it healthier because it's not last minute. There are always transitions but so far this is working. Also, I have started keeping more fresh fruit in the house - grapes, apples and bananas. They are mostly for breakfast but a grape when one is hungry is quite helpful. :)
What I haven't done right ~ I am still not drinking water, I still am not taking my vitamins AND I am still not exercising consistently.
Here's the plan - I created a daily binder that I am going to keep a food diary along with a water tally. I will also start walking. I wish I could walk at night but hubbers gets home too late most of the time so that's just not feasible. So.....walking in the morning after taking the girlies to school will....
The weight hasn't changed so there's nothing to report. Hopefully this time I will stick to my plan. I am still hoping to get down to 150 before the first of January!! :)

Diet Day 1 - the concept

2011-09-05T12:22:00.001-05:00

Healthy eating has not been my strong suit. I also have slacked so much on the exercise part of weight control it's not a wonder that I am at the state that I am in. I do not consider myself morbidly obese and yet the doctor's chart still lists me as obese. Yikes! That hurt!

My clothes are not fitting well at all. My midriff has wrecked havoc on all my pants and skirts waists. My belly just doesn't have any room to be comfortable and so .... it has to go!!

It is time to start losing some weight! I have gone far too long with no plan or course of action. Here's the plan: no bread, cookies, or cake of any kind & I must drink 6 bottles of water a day Here's the action: walk 20 minutes every other day.

I really like sweet tea, coffee and sometimes diet Dr. Pepper. None of which are "good" for you! My eating habits have been haphazard. Most of my eating has been emotions based.

Food is comfort for me - comfort if I am sad, comfort if I am happy, comfort to share with others, comfort to eat with others, comfort because I am feeling alone....you get the idea! I will be checking in with an update every Monday.

Today, I weigh 177. My weight goal is 150. My time goal to lose by is December 5, 2011

That gives me 3 months to lose 27 pounds. Totally do-able!

Wish me luck!! If you are also on a course to lose weight...share with me what is working for you!
Thanks for your support.... :)

Madi's Birthday Party

2011-07-15T16:26:00.000-05:00

Madi's birthday party was a blast! It was a riot because the rainy, nasty weather literally broke up just for us to come together to celebrate and then it started up again. I started getting texts at 7:20am asking what the Plan B was. Well, there is no Plan B, I thought to myself. My golfer hubby just kept telling me it was going to be fine and he was right!! Yea!!

Madi's new fave is Hello Kitty! I found a cupcake cake depiction of Hello Kitty and gave it a try. I had Wally World bake and decorate 48 cupcakes - 36 white and 12 hot pink. I bought yellow, white & hot pink icing and some chocolate sprinkles. I put together the Hello Kitty head and then a couple of flowers. Then I took the icings and added to the decoration for the flowers. Hello Kitty's eyes are 2 Junior Mints. :)

We held it at the local Children's Park that has a Spray Park. Mostly everyone hung out at the Spray Park however towards the end the kids got into some of the slides and sand boxes that are around. All the kids and even the parents seemed to have a great time. We had almost 50 people attend.

I made the kiddos a goodie bag with their name on it to take home with them. It held a Chinese yo-yo, some sunglasses, a prism thingy, and a bubble packet with the wand and bubbles.

So all and all it was simple, fun and the clean up was a breeze!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Madi!

2011-07-02T13:46:00.000-05:00

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted anything since Brooke's birthday. I have been busy but still. My biz is doing pretty good and it's getting me out there doing "something". Check it out if you'd like - www.wrightharmonydesigns.com

So to actually write about what my post is about ~ MADI ~!!

Happy Birthday my sweet Madi! You turned 3, or fhree as you say it, on June 25th. Mimi, Uncle Paul and his family are all out of town so we decided to put your birthday party off until everyone gets back. That being said it was pretty cool that your birthday fell on the same day as our monthly potluck meal with all the other families that have adopted. You think that every little girl with a birthday gets to have a bouncey house and water slide at their birthday.
You are growing up so fast! You are 37" tall and 28 lbs. You have NO FEAR!!! You proved that to all at the Potluck by jumping all over the place on the "rides". :) You have an amazing personality that just bursts with energy and fun! Your favorites things right now are: Hello Kitty!, Mickey Mouse, and the Princesses (especially Tiana, Sleeping Beauty, & Belle). You are a whiz at puzzles! You and Brooke will sit for a while and do puzzles together. You are just getting into Legos. Grandma & Grandpa Wright got you a whole box of Legos for your birthday along with 2 puzzles. You were thrilled! You also love playing outside at the park or the pool, blowing bubbles or just catching/chasing after them, AND your paci (pacifier). Mimi got you a swimmy float to wear and you just found out it actually makes you float. You are feeling mucho better about getting into a pool. (we have had 2 scares! yikes!)
You are SO much fun and SO smart! Thank you for being an amazing little girl! I am so thrilled and proud to be your mommy! Happy Birthday to you - cha cha cha - blow out the candles!! (as you sing it every time LOL)

Happy 4th Birthday, Brooke!

2011-03-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

You are 4! You are such an amazing little person! You are my princess through and through. The Disney Princesses are your favorites right now. Especially Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), Snow White and Cinderella. You love hugs and kisses. You lift your leg when you hug. Dancing and singing come very naturally to you. Food, for the most part is not your favorite unless we are talking about peanut butter and jelly or macaroni and cheese right now. Of course, all the sweets you can get your hands on is always allowed. Chips are another enjoyment to you. You are very artsy. You can write the first letter of your name - B! You draw angels and people with full facial features even ears, right now. You are not shy but you don't just open up to people either. If you can sing or dance for someone you will. If they touch you, you better know them. If they just talk, you are okay with that. The park is lots of fun for you. You love to pick the dandelions. It's always a gift for you to bring me one. Just the other day, you let me know in no uncertain terms that Jesus is the President of the United States. You have a contagious laugh. So sweet. So genuine. You don't like the word NO at all right now. (who does, really?) Your hair is super long and your head is super sensitive. So far you want to keep your long hair. You LOVE to take pictures AND you are quite good at it. Your sister is getting less annoying to you. You guys like to play blocks, do puzzles and run in circles together.

Bottom line is YOU ARE AWESOME! I feel SO privileged to be your mommy! I love you so much ~ I look forward to getting to know you more and more! Happy Birthday Brooke Ashlynn! cha cha cha

Sickness Go Away!

2011-01-16T23:44:00.000-06:00

It has been insane! Since December 7th I have had: a DNC, a stomach bug, a cold that lingered and eventually got into my inner ear on my left side, a 2 year old with a stomach bug and then getting the stomach bug again!
The DNC was to check and see if I had any blockage, polyps, etc to see what may be causing all my female silliness lately. NOTHING showed! So on one hand - Yea! and on the other - What do you mean you didn't find anything? The doctor said that my results look perfect. He doesn't understand why I am unable to get pregnant. He even went on to say that my blood work showed no signs of menopause. He mentioned something like 30 year olds don't have bloodwork this good. So again....on the one hand - Yea! on the other, a 30 year old, really? He is stumped!
The stomach bug was a doosey but happened just as hubby was walking in the door from work, I had to get up with the girls and get them ready for school but my sweet & wonderful mom came to take them to their school program and I went to bed until 4:30p. Literally I got in the bed at 9am and I did not get up until 4:30p. No bathroom time, nothing. It was well worth it cause I felt mucho better after that.
The next fun started that next Monday with a sore throat. No biggie, then the runny nose came along with a little congestion. By Christmas I was completely clogged up and was on the verge of miserable but so much was happening and had to be done that I couldn't not continue on. Life and times of Mommyhood I guess.
That cold got worse over the next few days and by Sunday night I was sleeping straight up in bed with a heating pad to the left side of my head. Just to give you an inside scoop about me, I am a hot box! If your hands are cold, come hold my hands, they are warm, they will warm yours. If you really want to get warm your hands warm fast, put your hands on the back of my neck, it's crazy hot there and I love cold hands. So.....for me to get a heating pad out to actually use, meant I was in some serious pain. That continued and I finally went to the doctor on Tuesday. Antibiotics later I was on my way home. Thursday was my mammogram and check up to the DNC and while at my doctors office hearing how perfect I looked, he said you sound miserable. I said I am miserable and so another antibiotic, a ZPack and some steroids later, I was out the door. Yea, I must be on the mend, right? Well, not so much! The cold continued and clogged my ear worse until it was absolutely silly trying to hear anybody in a crowd. If it was one on one like on the phone then I was good but if I was in a group, I felt uncomfortable. I have an ENT appointment tomorrow to find out what's up. Doc says he thinks it's Eustachean Tube Malfunction. Have you ever heard of that? Well, I hadn't and so I looked it up! Isn't Google great!? Anywho, ETM is not good. It blocks your E tube from allowing you to hear, can cause balance issues, headaches, etc. It is not instantly curable and may cause permanent hearing damage. Okay, this would be all find and good except that I am already deaf in my right ear. So......I have been just a little on the nervous side.
To top it all off, Madi came down with the stomach bug at 2am on Friday morning and then Friday late night and early morning Saturday I was in the midst of my second stomach bug in a month. Isn't that illegal! I don't think anyone should have to indure 2 stomach viruses in less than a month! It is my worse feared illness. Now we have 2 other people in this house that hasn't gotten it. So.....I have been praying hard that they don't get it! To say that these are awful illnesses is right but strangely enough this one wasn't terrible.
So, I am in a weird place cause of being sick for seemingly SO long on two totally different spectrums! I am still very positive and confident that I will be healthy again soon. I have been very emotional in the nostalgic sense. I just feel SO blessed by my family, friends, life, etc!
I know this has been a ramble of sorts however I felt I needed to get it written out. Oh, and I forgot to mention, I haven't had a cycle since December 1st. So I am on my 40-something day of a cycle. I would love to get pregnant and have a baby however I have hoped and dreamed this for so long, it's very hard to even think that way. I don't want to get my hopes up AND with all that's gone on lately with the bug and the hearing, hmmmm, could I really handle a third child!?
God knows and that's all that matters!
I hope you and your family had a blessed Christmas season and your New Year was fantastic! At my church right now, we are studying about FAVOR. Believing that you have favor with the Lord! Believe it and you will Receive it!
Peace, Love & Laughter,
Tammy

Apple Caramel Muffins - Yummers!

2010-11-14T11:48:00.001-06:00

These are SO yummy! I just made them this morning.

I took a picture of them they made me so happy - LOL!!

Caramel Apple Muffins

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cardamom (didn't have but would love to try it next time!)
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup milk (used no-fat)
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped peeled tart apple (used a little over a cup - it was one small/medium apple)
12 caramels, chopped (this was the hardest part)

For the topping: (I just sprinkled brown sugar & cinnamon on top)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a muffin pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, butter, and vanilla.

Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the apples and caramels.

Combine all of the topping ingredients in a small bowl.

Fill muffin pan cups 3/4 full, and then sprinkle the topping over the batter. (Really pay attention to this because they bubble over if you put too much in the tin - unfortunately I know this from experience.....lol)

Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool in the pan 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm.

Thankful Thursday

2010-11-04T17:49:00.000-05:00

Thursdays are the day that I have chosen to "talk" about something I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my house - whoa, did I just say I am thankful for my house? It totally makes sense to be happy and thankful about your own house but it has taken me a little while to get there.
When my hubby and I married it only made sense for us to move into his house. The house he bought with his ex-wife. The house that has an upstairs and a downstairs whereas the downstairs is the "extra" floor with a den, 3 bedrooms, a concrete room (storage) and a full bathroom. The house that ended up housing some not so trained kitty cats in. The house that has so many storage spots I am still finding things that are not mine. The house that has a beautiful backyard that is on the most rediculous slope that no one can play in. The house that has no way to get outside on the top floor unless you go down the stairs or go outside and down. The house with a kitchen with appliances with a stove with leaning heat elements and a not quite yellow fridge. I have complained about this house and have had a block since I moved in. I also have A LOT of STUFF!! I have never called myself a slob however I am starting to think it fits. THEREFORE, I am on the mend of slobiness! I am tired of being a mess, I am tired of complaining about a beautiful, large house AND I am tired of not having things where they should go........SO - I am working on it baby steps at a time. It is easy to get overwhelmed! I have ADD and so fluttering from project to project with no direction is norm for me. Looking at a project that is undaunting and deciding that cooking for someone or doing something that isn't important becomes the thing to do. In that fashion nothing has been getting done for WAY too long now.
I started this blog in order to share my life as a wife, mommy, MOPS mom, artist, etc. I am incorporating my transformation also. My transformation from slob (I really don't like that word - hmmmm, what could I call it - clutter bug....yeah, that'll work - for now) to clutter free!
I am working on the living room this afternoon. I'll let you know how it goes. Til then.........
oxox
Tammy

Radical Bible Study 10-10-10

2010-10-10T08:54:00.000-05:00

TOO HUNGRY FOR WORDS - Chapter 2

I have never considered myself a disciplined person. I like to fly by the seat of my pants and just enjoy being me. On the other hand I like to plan my days and have that plan come to fruition. Well.....that is not how life has gone for me since becoming a Mommy! I can't fly by the seat of my pants because I have two toddlers in tow and I can't plan out my days because....I have two toddlers in tow. Change will happen and some sort of order has to take place or all of us are unhappy.
So does that mean I have more discipline in my life? Actually yes, it does. It has creeped in there out of necessity! I have not fought it per say, but I will say that it has not been welcomed. That has to change. (pun intended!)
The more I study the Bible, the more I am searching for what God wants for my life. Why am I here? Part of that answer is obvious - I am to parent two beautiful little girls to know and love Him!
Reading this 2nd chapter has not been very settling for me. David Platt speaks of God has not only being a loving Father but also a wrathful Judge.  He describes us as having hardened hearts. That isn't settling with me because I like to look at the Fairy Tale in all people, stories, life.....  There is a goodness about them, no matter what they have done. Well, God and the Bible are not Fairy Tales. AND some people are just bad!
In the 2nd chapter of RADICAL David Platt give us a synopsis of WHO HE REALLY IS, WHO WE REALLY ARE, and WHAT (OR WHOM) DO WE REALLY NEED? All of those seem pretty obvious to me but then I read it. Hmmmm, I have a lot more to learn.

Here are my notes - (David Platt's words are bolded and mine are not)
We are afraid that if we stop and really look at God in his Word, we might discover that he evokes greater awe and demands deeper worship than we aqre ready to give him. That is SO true! I want the easy route to godliness. I don't really want to "work" on it or at it!

In the gospel God reveals the depth of our need for him. He shows us that there is absolutely nothing we can do to come to him. We can't manufacture salvation. We can't program it. We can't produce it. We can't even initiate it. God has to open our eyes, set us free, overcome our evil, and appease his wrath.  He has to come to us. Now we are getting to the beauty of the gospel. I don't know that I totally agree with this. I do agree that God reveal the depth of our need for him however, we can't come to him?  My brow is scrunched. Really? Am I making God a part of my Fairy Tale?

We are saved from our sins by a free gift of grace, something that only God can do in us and that we cannot manufacture ourselves. ... For the first time, we want God. We see our need for him, and we love him. ... This is the only proper response to the revelation of God in the gospel. ... This is why you and I cannot settle for anything less than a God-centered, Christ-exalting, self-denying gospel. Grace is such an amazing gift from our Father. Grace gets me through my valleys. It is amazing to me how forgiving God can be with me. I am seeing that being a Christ-follower is a bit different that my previous vision.

I am enjoying this study although, it is making me somewhat un-comfortable. That is what it is suppose to do, I think.

Radical Bible Study 10-7-10

2010-10-07T08:13:00.000-05:00

I am taking a class at First Baptist Church of Crestview because my brother is one of the teachers. My brother is an amazing man. He inspires me to make my walk with Christ be all that it can be. He sent out a Facebook message that he was co-teaching this class. Something inside of me said that I needed to go, to be of support to my brother. Ha - this is going to be so much more. I am scared - I am excited - I am un-comfortable! The book "Radical - Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream" is written by David Platt. He is embarking on a journey in authentic discipleship and he wants us to join him. He wants to transform how we live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.
(David Platt's words will be bold and italicized and my thoughts will follow in regular font)

Chapter 1 - SOMEONE WORTH LOSING EVERYTHING FOR
I invite you to join the journey with me......if Jesus is who he said he is, and if his promises are as rewarding as the Bible claims they are, then we may discover that satisfaction in our lives and success in the church are not found in what our culture deems most important but in radical abandonment to Jesus. Satisfaction and Success are two words that are common when a person is talking about his goals in life. I have never thought to have a goal of living more like Jesus would want me to as a disciple. From my early years I remember all the adults trying to make it a fun environment for us to attend and enjoy church. My father was a pastor so we were going to be there no matter what but for those that weren't in our family, they were treated with 'kid gloves'. Comfortable was what people were looking for. I remember a "discussion" that one of the members of the church had with my dad about him not being able to come anymore because the pews were too hard. Ugh..... Then I think about the many different that I have attended or haven't attended a church, were my reasons just as rediculous as this man's discomfort with the pews? I mean, Really?! Once I was out of my daddy's house, I could pick the church I desired to attend. That didn't go so well. I was in and out of churches until 2003 when I joined the church my now husband attended. I joined because he went there. We just recently came to find a wonderful church that we are plugging into. For the first time, I am seeing how your church can be your family. Again, I have looked for the comfortable.

...somewhere along the way we had missed what is radical about our faith and replaced it with what is comfortable. We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves. "It's all about me" has been an underlying joke with my hubby and a couple of friends, that is until my girlies came along. I really didn't understand that it wasn't "all about me" until them. I have always "catered" to myself. Hmmm....abandoning ourselves, I will have to study that to know how I will implement that in my life. What about you?

Luke 9 - Jesus was not using a gimmick to get more followers. He was simply and boldly making it clear from the start that if you follow him, you abandon everything - your needs, your desires, even your family. I have a long way to go in my faith and walk with Christ to understand what this means for my life. My "relationship" with Jesus has always had a curtain hanging between us. Sometimes I would come out from behind the curtain and then other times I would hide behind the curtain. I know the curtain is going to come down eventually. With his grace, I will learn what His plan is for my life!

Yes, you are abandoning everything you have, but you are also gaining more than you could have in any other way. So with joy - with joy! - you sell it all, you abandon it all. Why? Because you have found something worth losing everything for. This is the picture of Jesus in the gospel! This is where my excitement comes in because I look forward to having "joy" about giving up whatever it is God is wanting me to. He is worth losing everything for! I know it in my heart however I am still fearful of the impact this will have on my life as a whole. I have a lot of changes to make, a lot! Can I do it? Will I miraculously wake up one day and just not have those desires anymore?

If you are serious about taking this journey, ... a couple of preconditions exist. ...First, commit to believe whatever Jesus says. ... You have to say yes to the words of Jesus before you even hear them. ... Second, commit to obey.... The gospel does not prompt you to mere reflection; the gospel requires a response. Did I mention that I was taking this class just to be suppport to my brother? And again I say, Ha! This is going to change my walk! If it doesn't then shame on me!!

We will see a purpose for our lives that transcends the country and culture we live in, and we will see our desperate need for his presence to fulfill that purpose in us. We will discover that our meaning is found in community and our life is found in giving ourselves for the sake of others in the church, among the lost, and among the poor. We will evaluate where true security and safety are found in this world, and in the end we will determine not to waste our lives on anything but uncompromising, unconditional abandonment to a gracious, loving Savior who invites us to take radical risk and promises us radical reward. You mean I won't be among the lost anymore? I know I have a long way to go. I also know that with Jesus all things are possible!

I hope something within this blog is "speaking" to you. I would love to read your comments. I am so happy to have an outlet to keep my studies open for others to appreciate, enjoy, and/or possibly learn something from. Thank you to my brother, for making me open my heart to the way Jesus wants us to live!

I will miss you, Daddy!

2010-09-08T16:38:00.001-05:00

My daddy went to be the Lord Jesus Christ on August 7, 2010. We had a week and a half of time with him to just talk, pray, sing, and visit. A lot of the time it was like we were all kids again, all of us together. We all pitched in wherever we were needed especially by helping mom.
A lot of memories flooded my emotions throughout this time of saying goodbye. I had the good thoughts of growing up in a large family, all the times that we spent together and the fun that we had in our childhood. I felt VERY blessed! I also had the gnawing of emotions that still wants answers to some of the perplexing things that happened in my childhood. Such as: Why was the fact that he adopted me such a secret? Why wasn't it an awesome thing that could have been celebrated? Why didn't he accept me for who I was instead of continuously trying to get me to be more like him? Through all of these questions I kept having this thought - "Why does it matter now?" The end result of this thinking would be a slight bit of sadness but mostly I had happiness that this is the man that raised me! He was my Daddy, he was a man of God, he loved his family, he provided for all of our monetary needs AND he loved my mom with the love all women wish for from their husbands.

Daddy, I miss you and will always love you!

2010-07-24T11:39:00.000-05:00

Lots of fun has been happening in our little world! Madi pee pee'd on the potty all by herself yesterday! Pee Pee Dance was done by all!! Brooke has had her "big girl" panties on all morning and so far no accidents. Woo Hoo!
We are love, love, loving our new church! It has been such a blessing each and every time we've attended! We are taking a few friends with us tonight. I hope they feel the same way. There is food so how can it be bad..... :o)
I am still trying to get a handle on where I want everything in this house. I am liking it more and more since we finally painted. We are also using the downstairs for often so that has opened a slew of possibilities! Lots of work....but also lots of possibilities!
I am going to do another "move" before it's all said and done. The office upstairs is officially going to become my art room. There I will work on scrapbooking, painting, sewing and whatever other creative venue comes to the surface! hee hee
The downstairs craft (crap) room will be the girls bedroom and the girls bedroom now will become their playroom. Fun!! The guest bedroom will stay the guest bedroom.
I want to do some painting in the Alabama room or at least do some paintings for the Alabama room. I want to buy a super big inexpensive canvas with frame at Olde Time Pottery and redo it with a massive Alabama A with maybe a Roll Tide or two.
The girls will start a new preschool the second week of August. That should be fun for them! I really hope so cause it's going to make my life much easier especially when the new Walmart opens.
That's about all that's happening around here.
I have lots of projects that I need to get to. I plan to start tackling all the art projects once I get all the furniture moved and the rooms what they are meant to be. I am hoping by mid-August. I will post the before and after pictures as I complete tasks. Wish me luck!

Good Morning God! 6/10/10

2010-06-10T07:47:00.003-05:00

What an amazing week this has been! This is my third morning getting up BEFORE everyone and actually having quiet time - purposely!! I have been more emotional, more joyful, more settled. God is working on me in SO many ways! My heart is longing more for him than ever before. He is working on expanding my heart to find my purpose not only as a mom and wife (happy homemaker) but also as a woman of God!

We officially joined DWC last night.  It was a wonderful meal with great testimonies all over the room. God was present, that's for sure! I shared that I want to live the great life that others have always thought I have. I don't want to be a facade anymore - leading prayer one minute and then the next having a beer with my buds.  Please understand, I have had a GREAT life! I just wasn't present in a lot of it! I have SO many blessings, so many stories of God saving me, so many times I would look like I was leading a godly life while all the time having some hang-ups. I never truly committed. I didn't get it. I was a flounderer. Always looking to improve myself and the world around me but not looking in the right place - toward the heavens where my heavenly Father resides!

I am LOVING this first quiet time book that I have had for who knows how long!  God gives you what you need.....when you need it! I NEED THIS!! Donna Otto seems to be speaking directly to me! The title is Finding Your Purpose as a Mom - How to build your home on holy ground. In the first chapters I have learned that - It Begins With ME! Not in the "it's all about me" way but the "it's all about God, me saying "yes", creating my picture of me, my home, my family life; me asking for help or at the very least accepting it when it is offered! I have also learned that God wants me to keep an open-mind to what HE has planned for me.    I have just started Part Two and already she is talking about creating a home of peace. If you know me at all, I don't have at lot of peace in my life.....until now. For as long as I can remember my life has been chaotic. AND if it wasn't I would make it that way - quickly! Calm, peaceful, tranquil, and order are words that would not have been used to describe me. I am learning to Be me, Be true and Be-lieve in Jesus Christ with all my heart and having him be my all will give me peace that I have never known! That IS exciting!

Today's highlights in the book and my thoughts:
If you say yes to the Lord's calling to make your home holy ground, he will provide you with an adequate support system to make it happen. God sends help to us in sometimes unconventional ways. I need to be aware of the help that is offered to me. I have to stop attempting to do it all on my own!
...God truly does provide, but he also expects us to participate. He wants us actively involved in what he is doing in our lives. It's up to us to ask for help, to keep our eyes peeled for the Lord's provision, to accept with thanks, and then get on with the task of appropriating God's help into our lives. I don't feel like I truly have been an active participant in all the wonders that God has done for me.
the Father doesn't just hand us his gifts on a silver platter and provide our needs without participation on our part. That's because he wants more for us than just getting our needs met. He wants us to grow. He wants our bodies as well as our homes to be fit dwelling places for him. ...he provides for us, he is also in the constant process of teaching us and refining us, shaping our homes and our lives to more closely reflect his wonderful reality. My life is yours, oh Lord. Direct me to the path I am to take. Thank you for always being there for me.
God is available to help you in making the right choices for your home! my home is definitely not a reflection of God's love in my life. I am picturing the "after" picture of my home and it makes me get goose pimples I am SO excited!
....the second resource God gives us is the Bible! How does the Bible help you with the task of shaping your home? ...Proverbs 31; Galatians 3; Ephesians 5; and Titus 2 I grew up learning bible verses - trying to beat my sister and her brilliance to answer first and correct - so I am aware of certain scriptures but I never purposefully read the bible as it should/would pertain to my life. Reading through these scriptures just gives me more resources to confirm my role as a happy homemaker!
The third resource he always supplies....is a family. Once you have said the Big Yes to God, you are part of that family, the body of Christ. Your Father is God, your big brother is Jesus, and everyone in the world who has accepted Christ is your brother and sister. I am blessed with a very supportive family. All have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ!
Psalm 68:6 says that the Lord "makes a home for the lonely." He also says, "Seek, and you will find" (Matthew 7:7) If you seek it, you will find a branch of the Lord's family that offers you support and involves you in its activities. I truly feel like DWC is part of my family! I have never felt that from a church. My past does not define me, it shaped me, but it doesn't define me. Again, God gives us what we need, when we need it!!!
...essentially you need at least one older woman - older in experience as well as age - who can teach and guide you in what it means to shape a godly environment.....Titus 2:3-5.... A mentor is someone who will listen to you, reassure you, and offer you wise advice. ...someone whose wisdom and accomplishments you can admire and emulate.  I have always had my mom to go to. There have been different women throughout my life that have made an impact on who I am today! I look forward to being mentored and also being a mentor myself one day.
In addition to a mentor, you will also need at least one person who is basically your peer, someone who can work alongside you and share your struggles. This is the kind of friend I call a sister. .... A sister can be a true soul mate, or she can simply be a fellow traveler for a season of your life, but she should be someone who shares important values and life experience, someone whose company you enjoy, and someone who is willing to give and take in a helpful relationship. Most of my friendships have been tumultuous at times. There have been seasons that it would have been better if I didn't call my acquaintances friends. I didn't have any boundaries nor did I expect for them to have any. I have friends from all walks of life. Some that I would go right along with what they were doing and then transform into the prayer warrior friend for someone else. Isn't it wonderful that Jesus takes us as friends just where we are! I am not going to be wishy-washy any more.
...as you are looking for a mentor, keep in mind that you yourself are probably in a position to mentor a younger woman - sharing God's gift of support by passing along what you have learned.
OTTO'S MOTTO: You are who you hang out with. I remember my mom saying "birds of a feather will flock together". That is so true so I would change for each situation. If I was with my Christian friends I would talk more about what God has done in my life and when I was with my party friends I was indulging right along with them. Then there are my friends that know the true me but still with some limitations.
You are opening your life to God's provision of a family to support you as you continue to say yes to his call.
And though your husband is meant to be your partner, your lover, and your leader, he is ill-equipped to be your sole source of support in running your household. Yes, you support each other mutually. But, unless you rely on other sources - your Bible, the Holy Spirit, your mentors, your sisters - you risk pulling your husband down instead of mutually supporting him. You both need love and support from the body of Christ to maintain your home as a place where God is honored and god's work is centered.   I get frustrated with my hubby, A LOT! He is the sole provider and so I am to be the keeper of the house. I am just now embracing that role. I am realizing that all the frustration that I have shown to hubby is really frustration toward myself. Not feeling adequate to get the job done, not going about it the right way. That is why I am calling myself the Happy Homemaker. I am striving to have a Happy, Joyful, Peaceful, Loving home for our family!
First, you are called to be faithful and content in your present role. Second, God has something wonderful in store for you, and he wants you to live in joyful anticipation of that future. I am!
OTTO'S MOTTO: Your home is holy ground. And you are holy ground!
....faithfulness and contentment, combined with joyful anticipation, can help you a lot.
Mental files are your dreams for what you might want to be when your children grow up...or when you grow up. They're whispers from the Holy Spirit about what God has in store for the next chapter in your life. .... keep an open mind for what God wants to teach you.
God loves me and blesses me still, and he wants to work through me to change the world.
...God has a plan for you and your home.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15) I am starting a thankful or gratitude journal. In it I will list all the things I am thankful for and then check it often.
...typically, home is a chore pit, the place that shames us with the guilt of what we should be doing but don't have time for. It can be a sparring ring where we take out our frustrations on those we love best. My patience toward my hubby and my precious girlies is quite short when I haven't done my responsibilities of the day.
Your home....can be a refuge of peace, an antidote to a stressed-out, hurried culture, a space where the peace of God permeates and where all of you - even mom - find rest and strength.
The truth is, if you want your home to be a peaceful place that you and your family long to come home to, you have to do it on purpose. You need to spend time considering the kind of atmosphere you want and the choices that will make a peaceful home a reality.
I absolutely believe that the way you decorate and arrange your home can help make it a haven of peace.   Changes in the physical environment really can affect us emotionally and spiritually.  This is SO true. When we first got married, every few weeks I would rearrange something or the other while hubby was at work, he would come home and say, "Oh no, you rearranged, what's wrong?" He thought my rearranging was connected to a problem, that I wasn't happy. I don't rearrange as much as I used to but will be in the coming months.
You need to give some thought to what is making your home stressful. Then you need to start making the changes that will turn your stressful chore pit into the peaceful haven God intended it to be.
The place to start is envisioning what a peaceful home is like and noticing what may be disturbing the peace in your current home environment....you can start to realize steps you can take to create a peaceful refuge for those around you.
I think of a peaceful home as a place that is emotionally peaceful - safe, consistent, cheerful, encouraging, motivating, and energizing, filled with a sense of the sacred, not frantic or stressful. Often there is a sense of celebration or even joy, and fun is seldom absent.
I think, too, of a home that is relationally peaceful - where conflicts are faced wisely (not ignored or hidden), where both authority and autonomy is respected, where everyone feels a strong sense of "we" and pulls together to help the place run smoothly.
Whatever the decor, a true refuge is physically peaceful. Think of a home that is ordered and organized, comfortable and comforting, well maintained and reasonably clean. A peaceful home bears the marks of purposeful effort, but it invites you to rest as well as work.
.....a chronologically peaceful home is a true refuge. This means a home where schedules are under control, where life is purposeful and planned, and space is made for rest.
The chaos and panic of time pressure is replaced by a sense that there really is time for whatever is truly important.
A truly peaceful home is spiritually peaceful. It is modeled on God's plan for the home, including God-ordained roles and patterns of authority. Prayer shapes the atmosphere. Love fills the air. The peace you feel is God's peace.
A true haven of calm in a frantic, chaotic world. It's another task that's really worth saying yes to.
It is very exciting to me to be on the right track to getting my house, my life in order! I truly feel a difference in the Me of today! I AM calmer. I AM more at peace. God IS so good!

Good Morning God! 6/7/10

2010-06-07T09:41:00.002-05:00

Wow, I have had the most awesome morning and I have only been awake for 2 hours! I have been praying recently for God to wake me when he was ready for me to be with him. I have adhered to his nudges twice. Today I have committed to waking ON PURPOSE just to read and BE with God all by myself EVERY morning!

Today I started with Donna Otto's book Finding Your Purpose as a Mom - How to Build Your Home on Holy Ground. I absolutely love the way that Donna writes. She is real! I got SO much out of the first five chapters I have decided to document my highlighted notes throughout this book and others as I endelve in finding my purpose as a child of God, wife, mom and whatever other titles God has planned for me.

Today's highlights in the book and my thoughts:
When we teach our children and love our husbands, we are helping them grow in truth and understand the depths of the Father's love.
....always be in the process of becoming what God wants them (you) to be .
Your home can be a place where wonderful memories are created that will resonate across generations, a place where each person lives for the other and all live for God.
Your home can be a taste of heaven on earth...
I have been struggling lately with the disarray of my home. I have to my memory never had a organized home however lately it has truly bothered me. I can feel the discontent from my precious hubby and the moods of the girls are directly connected with my moods and so there has been lots of chaos! Not good. This past week I had my friend, Amy - professional organizer, lover of God, & spirit filled conversationalist, come and assess my situation. She is on board with helping me get past my clutter which pretty much equals hurts and hang-ups from my past. I hold on to things for reasons that don't match who I am becoming today! And so, Donna Otto is talking directly to me when she talks about creating a home that resembles heaven on earth.
A poem "The Beauty of a Home" source unknown - The beauty of a home is order. The blessing of a home is contentment. the glory of a home is hospitality. The crown of a home is godliness.
Making a home, to put it simply, begins with you.
You begin by being willing to open your heart to the working of the Holy Spirit. You begin by giving God permission to be in charge, even if the person and the place where you end up weren't what you dreamed of all along.
You open your home to him, just as you opened your heart.
When you keep in mind that your whole life is holy ground, you keep yourself open to the wonderful opportunities he has planned for you.
There will be sacrifices as well as surprises when you say yes to God - sacrifices of time, of your plans, and sometimes of your dearly held dreams.
But keep in mind that God's intention overall is to bless you - in your life as a woman, and in your life at home.
Oooo, it begins with me! I have found excuse after excuse of why my life doesn't reflect all of my blessings. Why? Dunno! I am wanting to change that right here...right now!
I am not big on sacrificing or submission in any form but for the love of God and the peaceful, joy that could come to my family, me and all that enter my home; I totally think it's worth a matter of change!!
The rewards extremely outweigh the pain.
Because you are his child, you are already blessed among women. As you say yes to him - and yes and yes and yes - he will take it from there. He will give you the vision and direction you need to be the kind of mom - and woman - you need to be so that you can make your home into a beautiful, fruitful, holy place.
I must surrender to my Father! I don't think I have ever really, really done that. I have a hard time releasing control to anyone. It's about time I live and love to my potential!
What's the key to making wise choices - search the Scriptures, ask for wise counsel, make lists of pros and cons, write out goals, and make plans. - but not first!
First - get a clear picture in your head of what you are trying to accomplish.
The process of shaping a warm, loving, nurturing home becomes a lot easier when you already have an idea what such a home would be like.
Deep in our hearts, we have a picture of what a perfect, holy home would be like because our Creator made us to yearn for such a place.
Just close your eyes and visualize your home the way it could be - a home whose ambience and activities reflect the holy place it really is.
My home warm, loving and nurturing ~ awesome! I am excited to know that my commitment is going to make others, including me, happier, healthier and more content.
....catching God's vision for your home and your life as a mom.
God gives us an unmistakable picture of what such a home is like when he tells us what our real home is like - heaven.
Charles Parkhurst put it this way: " Home interprets heaven. Home is heaven for beginners."
A place of beauty - a place that looks good, smells good, feel good to the touch, and even tastes good. - lovely man-made items, a touch of the outdoors - anything that reminds you of God's beautiful handiwork will help you keep your vision on the beauty of your heavenly home.
....a place of peace, safety, comfort and belonging.
....a gathering place - wonderful and joyful sense of being together, surrounded by love....an atmosphere of calm, not chaos.
....an orderly place - God's realm - a place of order and organization.
...an earthly home after God's own heart will be one that honors the truth and steers others toward understanding. It's a place of learning. It's a place for loving honesty - revealing ourselves as we really are. - it's a place that honors God's truth as well, where his Word is read and respected.
....welcoming, hospitable place - "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
It's a place of open arms and open hearts, where guests are treated like family and famliy are treated like specialy guests, where faces smile a greeting and hands word hard to make things ready.
The house is kept reasonably clean and ready, and the heart is kept open enough to welcome company even if the house isn't completely clean.
....it's a place where is God is present and God rules - "the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children" Psalm 103:17
I want everything about my home, from the decor to the conversation to the activities, to reveal God's love and to inspire a response of worship and praise.
I pray that the love they experience here will be enough to give them a little taste of heaven, a picture of what their life in Christ can be...from everlasting to everlasting.
Surely that is the heart of my purpose as a mom.
What a blessing it is to know that God will be with me every step of this journey and all of my journeys. I have lots to do with His help I know we are right around the corner from having a much happier home. I look forward to making it the home that it was meant to be, despite my self!

I know that not every morning will be SO full of information and will not be as indepth. How cool is it, that God gave me the appropriate amount of time, great time, to get my lesson in and also have time with him and give me the feeling that today is a new day!! Praise the Lord for his mercy on my soul and for showing me the way to a better, more full-filled life!

Here we go again.......

2010-03-11T00:29:00.002-06:00

I was having some issues with my cycle so my doctor decided I should go back on the pill to regulate my periods. Ugh! I had an awkward panic happen ever so quickly when he said that. I immediately said "or......". He said "or...we could try to get you pregnant again". Another moment of panic. The first parts of the panic was not whether I could handle the fertility drugs but could I (we) handle another baby!? The next part was: will my marriage survive another bout of fertility drugs? After all was discussed, the thought was that I would take these "fun" meds for four months. I just wasn't ready to completed slam the door of possibly getting pregnant, not yet anyway.
We are at the end of month one and I started today. I was quite sad for a few hours. I have decided that I want a baby growing inside of me and adding to our fun family mix. So starting kind of put a damper on that thought and once again made me realize how blessed I am and then the guilt started.
How can I possible have qualms with not having a child when God has blessed us with two beautiful baby girls that just so happen to look just like us? How could I chance having all of these issues with my marriage when we already have our family in tact? Why put myself through the pain, agony, mood swings, scheduling and frustration of "trying" to get pregnant? Why put my family through that?
Well, I am calling this my last ditch effort to "have" a baby. We have 3 more months of performance scheduling and mood swings for days but life will prevail and God's will will be done. I know his timing is perfect! I was just really hoping that we wouldn't have to go through another month and the miracle would happen on our first run out of the gate!
Oh well, we shall perservere! I am trying SO hard to keep it all in check. Be happy if we get pregnant or Be happy if we don't. It's hard not to get the mind crazy with thought over when I do get preggers. I have more thoughts that I will than that I won't.

During my throws with clomid, I cracked open an egg that just so happened to have two yolks. I said to myself, "twins!" Then I said thru tears in my eyes, maybe that's just God's way of showing me that I already have my two. It was an emotional few moments followed by me calling my mom and telling her that I am completely losing my mind. "I just cried over egg yolks!" She agreed that I am losing it but also justified my thoughts on the possibility that it's a "sign"!!

So....we shall see! I hope to not just survive but thrive in these next few months! I am reading more and more on how to manage the "swings".
Thank you for your support! Let me know if you have any tips for making it through this time in my life......

Monday Mania - 1/18/10

2010-01-18T11:59:00.002-06:00

I am so tired of being tired! I have heard that saying plenty of times in my life but have just started using it on a regular basis! My almost 3 year old is just about to make me CRAZY! My mom hates it when I say that, but it is SO true! She wakes in the middle of the night and will whimper, cry and overall be disrupting for up to 2 hours before she will give it up. I have tried - no naps, Kid Calm, letting her stay up late, etc. Last night it started at 3am and at 4:30am Steve had gotten in the shower so I just put her in bed with me. Ugh! I said I would never do that! Oh there are SO many things that I said I would never do BEFORE becoming a mom. Tonight we are trying yet another possible solution - we are moving her big girl bed into our room and she will sleep in there with us. I am hoping that because she is not having to come and get me she will stay asleep or if she wakes she will be in the same room so it will be ok for her to go back to sleep. And on top of her being in there with us, she is NOT having a nap today. Worst case scenario I am up all night anyway. Best case scenario, I along with her will start getting some much needed sleep! I really don't like me when I am sleep deprived. Everything is out of whack with me ~ I can't focus, my clutter seems insurmountable, my feelings of being overwhelmed are WAY over the top, I have NO energy AND I am not very nice! I forgot to mention that she now knows how to climb out of her bed so that's the reason for the big girl bed. She is quick and quiet which is SO funny to me cause in process she is screaming her head off so why be quiet, who knows? This morning I told the girls it was bath time. While I was gathering their after bath things they went on in the bathroom. When I got in there, both girls had their diapers off and had thrown them in the trash. I just thought that was SO funny! I put Madi down a little early for her nap today. She has been sleeping crazy amounts in the afternoons so I am going to start limiting her to 2 hours. Brooke is enjoying a PB&J and watching Wow, Wow, Wubbzy! I am making White Chicken Chili for dinner, it's in the crock. We are going to Wally World this afternoon for the rest of this month's needs. I hope to have some decluttering done so I am going to get to it. Have a beautiful day!

Monday Mania - Family Time & Me Time

2010-01-04T23:54:00.004-06:00

FAMILY TIME: I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family! We have our discombobulated ways about each of us but all in all we get along great! We have always been close. Now that we have children in our midst it makes it even better. My brother and his wife have 3 boys - 6, almost 5 and almost 1. Then there's us with our almost 3 and 1/2 girlies. They all play together well. Tonight we joined together to celebrate Christmas and New Year's all in one night! We ate New Year's fixin's and then opened presents. It was nice! The food was SO yummy! We had ham, turnip greens, cabbage, black eyed peas, and rice. Then to top it off brownies with cream cheese icing. I haven't had my brownie yet, and probably shouldn't have it now, but......I think I'll indulge! ME TIME: Tomorrow is Brooke and Madi's first day (back) at Preschool! I say back because Brooke attended from Aug 08 to Aug 09 and then I thought I would be a smart mommy and put them in a one day a week mom's day out program instead of a two day preschool. So..so..so silly of me! I feel blessed that they are able to get in at the half way point! Madi will be in Miss Patty's class and Brooke will be in Miss Nancy and Miss Olivia's class. They know their teachers and so I don't think we will have any issues with them not wanting to stay. Now that I wrote that we probably will but I will deal with whatever may come. I know they will LOVE it! I am going to take lots of pictures then scoot over to Wally World to grab some stuff and then head to the house to try to man-handle the clothes situation! I have piles of stuff from our trip and now piles of clean laundry that need to be put away! Eeek! I am NOT looking forward to dealing with all of that but I am looking forward to the finished product. One of my HUGE goals for the year is to become more organized! It all starts NOW! My focus is going to be the kitchen and the living room and then I will go on from there! Wish me luck! As you can tell, it's been just another Monday full of Mania! Just the way I like it!!

2009 at a Glance!

2010-01-02T22:16:00.002-06:00

Hello Family & Friends,

Our year end activities (sickness and getting ready for a 12 day trip with two little ones) halted my efforts in getting a family letter to you with a Christmas greeting as I would have liked. So…..Happy New Year to you and your family!

Here’s what’s been going on with the Wright clan:

We were busy little bees in 2009. Steve is working many, many hours, but we feel blessed that he is in his dream field and working in a place we call Paradise! I am enjoying the benefits of being a Stay-at-home Mommy. I have had more opportunities to be creative lately and have added painting to my list of fun hobbies! I am very involved with a few MOPS groups – Mothers of Preschoolers. We all have children under the age of 5. It is very rewarding and comforting to get to know other mothers that have children all around the same age, going thru all the same stages with all the ups & downs that come along with being a Mommy. My Mom has always been my lifeline! I LOVE that she is a part of the MOPS group with me as a Mentor Mom!

The girls are growing up so fast! They are the soul of our lives and are a light to all that meet them. Brooke will be 3 years old in March! She is our little passionate diva! She loves to dance, sing, and watch Dora and Wow, Wow, Wubbzy. Madi is going to be 2 years old in June. She is our little giggling spitfire! She enjoys dancing, being a dare devil and she also enjoys Dora and Mickey Mouse. They are starting to have fun playing together. We spend our days having fun dancing, singing, reading and playing down in the playroom and/or outside. Steve and I are both still playing softball on a regular basis and golf when we can. I am so glad we have the same love for sports! We enjoyed being involved in a couple of Fantasy Football teams this year.

The girls are going to start enjoying Preschool January 5^th. They will attend two days a week for 5 1/2 hours each day. They have a great program at the school and it gives me an opportunity to bust a move on things that aren’t quick stops anymore with two little ones in tow. J

As a family: we have enjoyed lots of time with my parents, Grandma & Paw Paw Mixon; my sister, Suzi (Aunt NaNa); my brother Paul (Uncle Paul) and sister-in-love, Kirsten (Aunt Kirsten) along with cousins Matthew (age 6 next week), Michael (5 in April) and new to us, Stephen (born April 7^th). We are so blessed to live so close!

In January, Steve’s brother Mike & his son Justin visited. We enjoyed a day at the Zoo while they were here. In April, the Kennedys came down to enjoy a rain filled Spring Break. We made the best of it and are really hoping they will give the weather another chance by coming to visit again this Spring Break. We shall see!! In May, Mom and Dad Wright visited just in time for Mother’s Day! Steve and I felt blessed to be able to enjoy time with our mom’s together! We had a golf outing with them while they were here. Then Steve went with them to Atlanta to play golf and catch a Basketball game with Trey Childs. Steve’s nephew Joe came to visit for the summer. He stayed busy at his job at a local golf course and also enjoyed some time at the beach. In June, we got the chance to spend some time with all of the Wilson clan. My sister Paulette and her daughter Chloe came for a visit in December all the way from Oregon. It was really great having everyone together!

We got the opportunity to take a trip to Disney World in September. It was a blast but I’ll have to tell you, Steve and I have never been SO tired! The girls LOVED the characters, especially Mickey, Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. Brooke took every chance she could to “bounce” with Tigger! It was precious!

In October, Steve and I got to go to the Homecoming game in Tuscaloosa to see the Alabama Crimson Tide continue their winning streak against South Carolina. We joined Dawn & Evan with several other friends for a fun time tailgating. We are really looking forward to the Championship Game coming up on January 7^th! Roll Tide!!

We had a fun Christmas trip! We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Grandma and Grandpa Wright playing with a tent/tunnel set-up and listening to Grandma read to the girls. It was so nice to get to spend time with them and have the girls get to know them better! A couple of days later we enjoyed a fun-filled day of celebration for Reg & Marilyn’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary! The room was full, the food was yummy, the decorations were great, the slide shows were a work of art with lots of memories and humor added in & the people were all festive in talking about how much Reg and Marilyn mean to them! It was a joyous occasion that we all felt blessed to be a part of! On our trip we have also gotten to visit with the Kennedys to play in the snow and enjoy fun word games! The hand-me-downs from the Kennedy girls will be thoroughly enjoyed! The Duffys welcomed us into their home to bring in the New Year and we were able to catch some Bowl games! J We are SO blessed to have such great friends!

Let us know what is going on with you! If you have the opportunity to visit, we would love to have you!! May God Bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you in all that you do! Peace, Love and Laughter,

Tammy and the family