My Mom

Whew!  It's been a rough week around here.  I think Holden is finally almost back to normal.  Seriously, an 8 day long stomach bug for my 7 month old's first sickness?  Yeesh.  I never hear of stomach bugs hanging on that long!  I hope and pray that it is truly behind us now!  Although, I fear that we may be leaving the stomach bug behind and beginning another fun thing: teething.  Only time will tell...


This mommy has cabin fever.  We have got to get out today... I still have Mother's Day shopping to do!


I am still planning on getting a post up to tell you about our first family camping trip!  We only used our phones for pictures and most of the pictures are on Shon's phone (his is better) and I need to get them from him first!

Now, I want to focus on Mother's Day instead. :)  Let me tell you something... I LOVE MY MOM!  Always have... always will.  I love spending time with her.  One of our favorite things to do together (or apart...ha!) is shop.  My mom is an awesome shopper.  She is still my favorite person to shop with.  She's kind of like a marathon shopper... and has instilled within me the ability to leisurely shop for hours.  ;)

My mom is much more than a shopping buddy though.  She is beautiful.  (Seriously, she dresses and looks better than me most all of the time.)  She is kind.  She is thoughtful, loving, generous, faithful, loyal, and God loving.  She has a heart for the Lord.  She will step out of her comfort zone to use her talents for His glory - she's a wonderful piano player and has a beautiful singing voice.  She will go out of her way for others- planning showers and other events, making food for church occasions, funerals, graduation parties and others in need.

  She is also a second grade teacher and not only does she teach them well...but she loves them well.  I always feel happy for the kids that wind up in her class because I know that along with their minds, their hearts will also be nurtured.  She is tender-hearted.  I get that from her.  If she cries, I cry and vice versa.  We're a mess like that.  On my wedding day, I held it together all the way up the aisle...until I got to the end of it and saw (and heard) my mom crying.  Yep, I lost it.

Another thing I love about her is that she knows how to be silly.  We often talk in crazy accents and sometimes don't even realize we're doing it.  She laughs until she cries... and most of the time it's at herself! :)  My favorite childhood book was a golden book called, "Tommy Visits the Doctor."  I read it now and I realize that it really is not a good book at all.  What made it my favorite was the way she read it to me.  She would make parts up.  Tommy would puke on his doctor and get shots in his hiney.  Those parts aren't in the books, folks.  Sometimes, the silly parts would be due to the fact that she was falling asleep while reading....but mostly it was intentional.  Falling asleep in my bed... that's something else she was selfless about.  She would lay in bed with me until I fell asleep because I was irrationally scared or just wanted her there.  She did this for a looong time.... I seriously think I was probably in sixth grade before she quit.  I can remember purposefully laying my hand on her so that I would know if she tried to get up and leave.

I could go on and on.... but there's no way I could do her justice.  How do you put 26 years of loving someone and being loved by someone into words?  There's no way to sum it all up.

Mom, I love being your daughter.  I cannot imagine having any other person for my mom.  I just don't make sense without you.  I think that very thought often to myself.  You have been, and are, my first example of unconditional love.... and it goes both ways between us.  I hope we have many, many, many more years together.  I'll love you forever.

Me!

And of course... my boys love you, too.

pictures pictures everywhere....

Okay.  I have a problem.  I take too many pictures.  Some would argue that there is no such thing.  I might have to agree with that sentiment.  It is so easy and convenient to take pictures...with cell phone cameras and apps like instagram...not to mention facebook and blogs to share the pictures on.  I was bad enough about taking a lot of pictures before I had a kid.  I took too many pictures of myself, myself + my husband, and Doug the Pug then.  But now that I have a kid?  I mean, I practice no restraint.  I always have my iphone and I always have my adorable kid.  Every other moment is a kodak moment, folks.  When he looks cute...my reaction is to take his picture.  And he looks cute all.the.stinking.time of course.  Thus, pictures in excess.

For example, yesterday, I took about fifteen pictures of Holden.  Now, some of these are practically the same and I can (and will) narrow them down to only keeping a handful on my phone.  But still....

So, I don't lack in the picture taking department.  What I do lack in is the picture developing/storing department....as in... I rarely develop any...and when I do....they sit in the hall closet because I don't know what to do with them.  This brings me to my point of this post....and that is, to ask you all (because I know some of you are picture takin' fools, too!) what you do with all the pictures you take?  Are you good about getting pictures developed?  If so, do you put them in albums?  Do you make photo books on a site like Shutterfly?  (If you make photo books, do you also get regular prints made or do you not feel the need to actually have the physical prints in your ownership?  This is kind of a hang-up for me.)  What about phone pictures specifically?  Do you get them developed/photo booked?  I currently have 1,376 photos on my phone.... and they are stressing me out. ;)

A Few Things I Believe In...

I believe in... taking a nap with my baby whenever he will allow it (rarely).... and leaving the laundry and filthy floors behind.

I believe in... giving my husband a kiss and telling him I love him every night.

I believe in... allowing myself some "me time" every once in a while and not feeling guilty about it.

I believe in... acting extremely and embarrassingly silly to get my baby to giggle outrageously.  (I have a great iphone video of this very thing if I can ever figure out how to post it...)

I believe in... pushing myself to accomplish a goal that I never thought I would accomplish.

I believe in... being kind and conscious of other's feelings.

I believe in... indulging in a latte when the mood strikes.

I believe in... encouraging others.

I believe in... getting together with friends often.

I believe in... taking lots of pictures of the people you love...even if you aren't a great photographer.

I believe in... making time for family.

I believe in... dressing my baby like a baby... because he will be wearing big boy clothes way too soon.

I believe in... not washing my hair every day.

I believe in... listening to and singing Christian music.

I believe in... the power of prayer.

I believe in... kissing baby cheeks.

I believe in... beach vacations.

I believe in... drinking Diet Dr. Pepper in any form and McDonald's fountain Diet Coke.

I believe in... greeting cards.

I believe in... pets.

I believe in... true LOVE.

I believe in... gift giving.

I believe in... retail therapy.

I believe in... clearance racks.

I believe in... eliminating negativity.

I believe in... blogging. 

I believe in... God's faithfulness.

BBQ at my place!

Anyone wanna come?! ;)

Yesterday I made the discovery that a starling has been making her nest (huge, massive nest!) in our grill. This isn't the first time we've had a nest in our grill. We keep it closed but there is a small opening on the side where they get in.

Looks like we won't be having any BBQ's any time soon since we don't have the heart to destroy the eggs. In the past we have caught the nests before there were eggs!

Hope the little grill-birds will be able to learn how to leave the nest through that little opening! Apparently, their mom thinks they will!

random catch up (and a nakey baby!)

A little of what has been going on around here.......

Hubby is off work this week!  It has been awesome weather around here.  80 degrees today!  Cuh-razy for March in Indiana!  I love it!  (Although I don't necessarily want it to get any hotter just yet...or ever!)  Today, we ate at an italian restaurant with a nice view of the river.  We wanted to eat outside but it was going to be a long wait.  Then a trip to Lowe's for fun things like weed killer...and on to Target for a few essentials.  Then it was home to spend some time outside.  Hubby pulled weeds and I entertained the babe.  I definitely got the good end of the deal!  Holden and I also went for a walk around our neighborhood.  Holden LOVES being outside.  He will just sit and chill in the stroller...just looking around and taking it all in.

I did a little decorating around the house for Easter...if I ever get around to taking pictures I might post a few although it isn't anything too amazing.  I don't like to spend money on holiday decor so I just use what I have!

Holden has a couple of different options for Easter outfits and I just can't decide which to go with....not sure how I am going to make that decision!  One is more of a "little man" outfit and the other is more of a "baby" outfit.... I'm torn.

6 month photos are coming up, too....more outfit decisions!  (PS...6 months?!  SIX?!  Seriously?!?!)

Cadbury mini eggs....why did I buy you?  Why are you so delicious?  I usually don't even like milk chocolate.

Holden has been getting some baths in the sink.  So much easier on my back!  He seems to like it just as well!

Holden is also making progress in the "sitting up" department.  He's still pretty wobbly but he's getting there!  We discovered, while weighing him before his bath last night, that he sits much better when naked!  Guess those darn diapers make his bottom a little too round!

Oatmeal, banana, and peas have recently been consumed by the little man.  He's been eating oatmeal since around 4 months old but has just recently started loving it and actually eating it well.  He says, "mmmmmm" each time he takes a bite of oatmeal! Ha!  I mashed up a little bit of a banana for him last week just to see how he'd like it and he was not a fan.  He acted like he thought it was very tart!  The faces he made (one eye closed!) were quite hilarious.  Then I learned about the theory of giving them veggies before fruits so they don't get used to sweets and not want to eat veggies (oops!) so we got him some peas and tried them this week.  He HATED them!  He gagged and choked and made horrible faces!  But, he tried them for the second time this evening and, although he never seemed very happy about it, he ate them without spitting any out!  I wonder if he will like any food right away?  I'm sure each new food is probably a bit of a shock to the taste buds so perhaps he will "hate" all of them at first?!  Solid foods is a whole new ballgame and I really don't feel like I know what I'm doing per se.  Any good advice, mommas?  It is kind of fun though!  We are enjoying his reactions and it is quite gratifying when he starts eating something well.  I originally thought I would make most of his baby food...but I have been learning that time is a virtue and I just don't think I am going to want to spend my time (or have the time!) and energy making baby food.  I think I will probably make some from time to time...but I'm not going to put myself under the pressure of making all of it.

Shon and I have been trying to read the Bible more.  We have been reading "Easter scripture" from a little handout given to us at church.  (Click here if you'd like a copy.)  It has a passage for each day of the week for a few weeks leading up to Easter.  I REALLY enjoy the time that we share digging into the Word together.  I love having a husband who wants to learn more about the Bible and wants to do it with me.  I enjoy hearing him read and discussing what we have read together.

I'm thinking about joining a gym.  I've been a gym member before (more than once) and always end up quitting because I am paying and not going.  However, I REALLY want to lose these last ten stubborn "pregnancy pounds" and ideally, 20 pounds on top of that.  Working out at home just isn't working out (pun intended).  I have a horrible time making myself work out at home.  I just cannot make myself do it consistently.  If I have a membership and know we are paying for it perhaps that will be motivation for me to go.  Plus, the hubs will also make me go since we are paying for it.  I also wonder if perhaps I would be more willing to go now since it could act as a little "break" and some alone time which I pretty much get NONE of these days.  (Shon will watch Holden or there is provided free child care at the gym...)  I just have to lose this weight.  It is really dragging me down mentally and emotionally and it is depressing seeing all of the cute spring and summer clothes and knowing that I won't look good in any of it.  Why must I hate exercise?!?!  This would be so much easier if I liked it.

That's all for now!  We are planning on a zoo trip tomorrow! :)  Hope you are all having a great week!

*Update: It's a little rainy today...maybe we will save the zoo for next week...

11 Random Things...(tagged & tagging!)

The lovely Heather from Greer's Gossip tagged me in this survey.  Thanks, Heather!  So here goes:


Rules

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them
6. Tag 11 people

11 Randoms About ME:

1. None of my friends "in real life" blog.  I'm like the lone ranger when it comes to blogging.

2. I think soft drinks taste better from a can than a bottle.

3. My favorite name for a girl was Delaney.  Now Laney/Lainey/etc. seems to be getting pretty popular, so I'm doubting I would use it in the future.

4. I'm a preacher's daughter. My dad is a baptist minister.

5. My fingernails are so hard and thick that I have to clip them with the big toenail clippers.  They grow super fast, too.

6. I have a slight addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper.  I look forward to having one during the day.  Usually, it's caffeine free Diet Dr. Pepper.  I know that diet sodas aren't necessarily very good for you...but it's just one of those simple pleasures I'm not willing to give up at the moment!

7. I really like to eat leftover pizza cold.

8. The first song Shon and I ever danced to was "Amazed" by Lonestar...at a wedding reception where he asked me to be his girlfriend.  (We were 14 & 15, remember!)

9. My least favorite chore is mopping.  (Thankfully, Shon will do that one most of the time!)

10. I hate running.  I've always hated it...even as a kid.  Wanna play tag?  Ummm, no.  I joke (although I'm serious) that my body goes into multi-system organ failure when I attempt to run.

11. I'm a huge procrastinator.  I put things off until the last minute.  It's a chronic condition.

Heather's Questions:


1. What is your favorite meal?
- My mom's meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
2. What do you like best about blogging? 
- Creative outlet, preserving memories, "meeting" amazing people I would never meet otherwise!
3. What is your favorite movie of all time?
- I will forever love the movie, "Just Married."  It's so silly, but I love it. 
4. What would a perfect day look like for you? 
- It would include all of my favorite things: starbucks, shopping, beach (so I would have to be vacationing somewhere!), nice restaurant, then cuddling on the couch with a good movie...all with my hubby and baby of course.
5. What is the best book you've read? 
- It is so hard for me to pick favorites.  I just read "The Help" and LOVED it!
6. If someone had asked you ten years ago what you would be doing in ten years, would you have answered correctly? 
- Quite possibly...at 16, I was already with my hubby. :)  I am living my dreams right now- married to my love and a mommy!
7. What's your guilty pleasure? 
- Coffee, coffee, coffee...with lots of sugary, flavored creamer or syrups. ;) It's my sanity. 
8. Have you ever broken any bones? 
- Just a hairline fracture in my arm from jumping into a pile of leaves when I was little.
9. What time do you go to bed each night? 
- Usually between 11:30-12:30.
10. What time do you have to get up in the mornings? 
- That depends on Holden.  Usually, somewhere in the range of 6:00-8:30...but sometimes we snuggle up and go back to sleep after that! :)
11. Do you have a go to outfit? If so, what is it? 
- Since I've had Holden, it would be jeans and a cardigan with a nursing tank underneath + a scarf.

My Questions for You:

1. What is your favorite thing about yourself?

2. You're at Starbucks.  What do you order?

3. Favorite place to shop for yourself?

4. What was the last book you read?

5. Have you ever met a "blogging friend" in real life?

6. Favorite food?

7. Do you have a motto or favorite quote/saying?  If so, share.

8. Why do you blog?

9. Favorite vacation spot?

10. Dream that you have yet to fulfill?

11. Favorite room in your house?

Tag, You're It!

Randi @ A Modern Day Fairytale

Tami @ Little Moments Like This

Hillary @ Our Hopeful Life

Kira @ Rain or Shine

Katie @ Our Happily Ever After

Catie @ Tales of a Real Housewife

Monica @ Blessed Mama

Jenny @ From An Awakened Eye

Cristy @ Happily a Law Mama

Katherine Anne @ Medical School Mrs.

Megan @ Mackey Madness

Weekend Randoms

Friday:

Went out and about with my friend, Megan, and her almost-one-year-old!, Lola.  Holden dressed to impress.

Megan had to try on a bridesmaid's dress, so we did that first.  Poor Holden, always getting dragged to girly things. ;)  Then, we had a yummy lunch at Panera.  Next was the mall, where neither kiddo wanted to cooperate much.  Still fun to be out, just not as easy and carefree as it used to be!  We need a no-kiddo-shopping day soon!

Saturday:

Hung around the house.  Ordered pizza, which is against the diet, but there was nothing to eat in the house and we just considered it our weekly splurge.  We ordered Dominos and got that yummy stuffed cheesy bread that is all over TV these days.  (Yep, the advertisements worked on us!)  Our review: They just should not make this stuff.  It should not exist.  It is just too sinfully delicious.  So.stinking.yummy.

Saturday evening, we went to church.  Holden was awake for most of the service and was a very good little boy!  It was a great service.  It is always so wonderful to be in the house of the Lord.  It feels so good to worship.  And it is extra special to be there, holding my sweet boy.

After church, it was off to Kroger for groceries.  We had our first grocery list from e-mealz.com!  We signed up for a 3 month membership.  We are doing the low-carb, 2 person plan.  I am pretty excited about it and will let you all know how we like it after we've been doing it for a while.  

Holden was a happy boy when we got home Saturday evening.  I took this picture of him and it may just be my favorite.picture.ever.

{Is this smile big enough, Mom?!}

Sunday:

Hung around the house.  The hubs watched football and basketball.  I did some laundry.  We played with the babe.  I made our first meal for the week: parmesan fritata + turkey sausage + broccoli + strawberries with splenda.  It was quite delicious and really easy to make.  So, the first meal was a success!

I didn't watch much of the Golden Globes.  It gets too boring for me.  I would have liked to watch the red carpet pre-show stuff, but I forgot and missed it.  For the short time I watched, I was impressed by these two dresses:

Laura Dern {LOVE this dress!}

{Kate Winslet...gorgeous.  She's just fabulous...}

That was our weekend!  Bummer that I'm done with this post...because now I have to go do my "30 Day Shred" DVD for the first time.  My goal is to do it 3 times a week.  Any more than that and I know I'll burn out fast.  I'm so out of shape.  Going.to.die.  Pray for me!!! ;)

Bloglovin'

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I'm a little behind on some things and just discovered "Bloglovin."  I got the app for my phone which makes it super easy to read some of my favorite blogs.  I just added my blog to Bloglovin's database today.  You can click the link above to follow me via Bloglovin! :)

2012 Goals...

Goals for the New Year....

• To strengthen my relationship with God.  I'm going to be honest here.  I feel stagnant.  I need some revival in my soul.  I need to fellowship with other Christians and just become consumed with Christ once again.  I have always wanted to get involved with a small group/bible study but haven't.  My excuse used to be working nightshift - made it difficult to be a part of anything.  It won't be easy now with a baby, but I'm going to have to make it work.
• Lose weight.  Yep, like every other person on this Earth wants to do when January 1st rolls around. ;)  I have about 15 more pounds of baby weight to lose and then about 15-20 after that...because I was about 15-20 lbs heavier than I wanted to be before I got pregnant.  This is NOT going to be easy for me.  I HATE to exercise.  I've never enjoyed it.  I will also have to exercise at home.  Just ordered "Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred" and yes, I'm prepared for it to kill me.
• Live a healthier lifestyle.  I don't want to just lose weight.  I want to eat healthier all of the time and be conscious of decisions we make as a family regarding our health.  I want to eat less sugar, flour, and wheat and more fruits and veggies.  I want to become more physically active for life...not just until I lose the weight.
• I would love to see this blog grow...if it is God's will.  I'm not sure how one goes about growing their blog, but I'll leave it up to God and will just continue to write about things that interest me and that are from the heart.  I love blogging- reading others' blogs and writing my own posts.  It is my creative/expressive outlet.  

Those are my main thoughts about what I want for 2012.  Of course, I also want to be the best mother and wife I can be.  I think that improving my life spiritually and physically will do nothing but help both of those areas.  I want to be present and intentional with my actions.  I hope that 2012 is filled with accomplishing these goals and with joy, happiness, love, good health, and the wonder of watching my little boy grow and learn.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Kitchen Makeover

Just wanted to share a few photos of our "new" kitchen.  We painted our cabinets, installed new cabinet hardware, and painted the walls.  We (my hubby & his dad) also recently installed new wood laminate flooring in the kitchen, dining area, living room, and hallway.  It all came together quite nicely!  There are still a few things we need to do in the kitchen- such as figuring out something to go over the kitchen sink and a couple new things for the walls, etc. but for the most part it is DONE...and we have now moved on to even more exciting things....like turning our spare bedroom into a nursery. :)  Those pics to come later...still a work in progress.

Without further ado...

Kitchen BEFORE:

Kitchen AFTER:

Dining area BEFORE:

There you have it!  We love it!  We are not DIY or home improvement experts and we had a very tight budget to work with....but I still like to think we took it from "drab to fab." ;)  There are other changes we would make if we could - over the range microwave, matching dishwasher (better yet, all stainless steel appliances) but those changes just aren't in our budget and that's okay.  Most of the credit should go to my husband as he did the vast majority of the work.  We are enjoying our updated kitchen....and are really glad to have it DONE!

Lola's Here!!!!!!!!

One of my best friends, Megan, had her baby girl yesterday!

Her name is Lola Ryan, and she is SOOOOOOOOOO sweet!!!!  (Ryan is her daddy's middle name.)

She was a little over 7 lbs. and 20 in. long.  For a while, we thought she would be really, really small....but she is a nice, healthy weight!  Megan & Lola are both doing wonderfully!  Praise God for that!

Mommy & Daddy are so in love with their new little girl....as are all of their family and friends....including this "Auntie!"

It was so fun waiting and preparing for her arrival....but now the REAL fun begins!!!

From this....

To this...

Auntie Beth Ann with Lola!

Shon with Lola!

Look at her sucking her thumb!!!

The new family shortly after Lola arrived :)

Thanking God for a healthy friend 

and new "niece" to spoil! ;)

What the Superbowl means to me...

FOOD!

Lasagna, garlic bread, salad, wings, sandwiches, chips & dip, fruit & dip, crackers & squeeze cheese, bbq weenies, brownies, chocolate peanut butter bars, cookies, monkey bread, ice cream sundaes...oh yeah...that's what I'm talkin' about.

I ate and talked and ate some more....honestly, it's impressive that I even know who won...

Doug "watching" the Superbowl...

Did you catch the pug Superbowl commercial?  We missed it, but had to look it up online after a few people told us about it.  Okay, it wasn't that funny...but it was still cute...especially since we can picture ourselves as the goofy dorito guy.

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=3b21037b-24c0-4748-b056-a8d6c24e0d7d" target="_new" title="">Doritos: Pug</a>

And this is not, in any way, superbowl related...but they're WAY cute...so look at them! ;)

Life is good...

Superbowl Sunday

Doug's ready for the Superbowl............

We are COLTS fans...so we're not overly excited about this year's Superbowl.  (Actually, I'm not much of a sports fan so I'm not really ever too excited about it...)  We are going to my parents' house...the main attraction for me is all of the good (bad!) food that will be there!  I like to see the commercials, too.  ;)

Happy Superbowl Sunday!

sweet & easy craft idea

I recently became a follower of Michaela Noelle.  I found her blog through a link-up that was sharing blogs that people loved.

Click above to check out her blog!

Anyway....she posted this post about a little crafty project that she just "dreamed up" one night.  I thought it was such a cute idea...and SO EASY.  I love easy craft ideas.  I am not really a "crafter" at this point in my life....but for now I do enjoy simple, easy projects like this one!  

Here's how my version of her project turned out:

(Please excuse quality of the pictures....these were quick snaps with the iphone.)

I just used a piece of scrapbook paper and bought the frame (50% off!) at Hobby Lobby.  Talk about easy, right?  It's a modified, cute version of a dry erase board.  I picked the scrapbook paper to match our kitchen, since that is where we are keeping the frame.  Shon and I are taking turns writing a bible verse on the frame before we go to bed.  He chooses, writes it, and I see it in the morning and vice versa.  I thought it would be a good way for us to explore more scripture and to have a bible verse to pray and have on our minds each day.  

My sweet hubby took his "verse writing" turn first.  When I got home from work in the morning, there was that super sweet verse from Song of Solomon waiting for me.  *Swoon.*  I'm lucky. ;)  

Just wanted to share this great idea!  Be sure to check out Michaela's blog!

My beautiful mommy-to-be BFF :)

Just wanted to share a few pictures of my beautiful friend, Megan, with you from her recent maternity shoot.  She was about 35 weeks in these pictures I believe.  She is now 36 weeks...Lola will be here very SOON!  We are all so excited to meet her!


The photos are by Sara Harth Photography- which you can find on facebook: 


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-Harth-Photography/116327778398491


Anyway, get ready to marvel at the cuteness...

Amazing photos, right?  Cutest pregnant woman ever, right?  Cutest little family ever, right?  Right.

I have had so much fun helping Megan prepare for Lola's arrival.  I can't wait to meet her!  She is going to be SO cute and SO rotten! ;)