Saturday, February 26, 2011

Why I Blog

Over the past several weeks I wasn't sure I wanted to keep up with blogging. It started with getting involved in a Christmas program at church. We were gone all day every Saturday. Which I realize is lame, but it was a lot for me. I was tired. Breeley still isn't sleeping through the night consistently. Yada, yada, yada.

I would hate to let go of the wonderful women I've found in this blogging community. I love reading tidbits of my friend's lives that I would miss otherwise, but I was trying to decide if I really had time for it.

Then I looked back to see when I started this little blog. And then I got caught up in reading a few of the old posts. And the memories, the silly things, the heartache of losing Mom B., the daily life were all there. Captured in imperfect English - my poor Papaw did his best. :) But there. Held in place not flitting through my memory to be lost all too soon.

For me, blogging is the answer to my children's blank baby books. In this crazy place I've been challenged and am slowly growing my photography skills. Through writing and reading I am growing in my faith. It's fun to know a few family members who we don't see all that often can keep up with us.

It isn't anything big. It certainly isn't anything profound. But it works.

It is a complete and wonderful surprise blessing to have met so many other wonderful moms and women along the way. So get ready for some proud mom moments. Some crazy day recaps. Some stretching of my faith. I'm so glad you've joined me for the ride.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Could You Repeat That?

Tyler has a way of phrasing things that makes me laugh. It started when he was tiny. About two or so he was using adjectives. He never said "yeah" or "uh-uh". It was always yes or no. He had a fascination with figuring out irregular verbs. For example he knew eat did not follow the typical pattern. He never said "eated" he "oat" his food all gone. I think I will always remember his chubby little face looking up at me "I oat it, Mama." "What?" Ty repeated, "I oat it." I was thoroughly confused, "What are you saying?"" I oat it all gone," he insisted. And it clicked. Yes, now he could go play.
Now my chubby toddler has turned into such a grown up boy who can wear my shoes. But he still has a way with words.The other night at dinner he shoveled a man sized bite of spaghetti into his mouth. Two seconds later he sighs and looks my way. "It would be nice if tomatoes were like chicken." he said. My mind switched to high gear trying to follow this logic. "You know, then you could only eat them cooked." says my salad hater.
Eating Mexican the other night he switched from ground beef enchiladas to a chicken enchilada. His eyes grew wide as he reached for his glass. After a loooong drink, he said, "Wow! That sure twangs your mouth. It's a lot spicier than the beef."
Although he may not have buzzing arms anymore (when a limb would "fall asleep"), he still keeps me smiling. Is it too much to hope that a small piece of this will last through the teen years?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Monday, February 21, 2011

Because

They only wrinkle their noses and chew on teddy for a short time.
You want to be a baby and a big girl all at the same time and it makes me laugh.
I love that you still fall asleep in my arms.
These tender moments between my children melt my heart.
I know in a few years you will be deciding what to wear...not me.
Even in the midst of the storm God's beauty shines through.

We love to wrap in this and hang out. And sometimes it a good blanket too.
Cousins are a gift. And winter time swimming and hot chocolate go so well together.
I learned so much from my children's Uncle Jim.
This picture makes me smile.
Twirling in nightgowns doesn't last forever.

For these reasons and so many more I want to celebrate the days with my children. I want to hug them close. Encourage them often. Correct them carefully. Love them deeply. And hold onto the moments I've been gifted. They remind me of the wonder of God's creation. The joy of their laughter brightens my every day. I will always be grateful I was chosen to be their mom.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Housekeeping

Ahh, wouldn't it be nice if there really was a sweet little lady who showed up and knocked everyday? "Housekeeping?" The housekeeper around here has gone on vacation. Beautiful weather, teething babies, and cheesecake have apparently been calling her name. Good thing she works for food. ;)

Actually, I'm just talking about my little self-inflicted blog makeover. :) I lost my background some months ago and have just been too tired to redo. I have all these great blogs I follow and yet don't share them on my sidebar. (If you'd rather not be linked, please let me know!) So here's to a little housekeeping!

I'm in need of some help. Pretty please with a cherry AND whipped cream on top! Does anyone know how to make the picture on my header center? I cannot for the life of me figure it out. I would love to know so when I find time to actually make the header picture I want I can put it in the right place. I rather like symmetry. Which is ironic since most of the pictures on my wall are a little crooked right now. But I'd rather be blogging. Just keeping it real, ladies (I suppose I should add and gentlemen though I don't think any men read this).

Any tips/ where you get your cute backgrounds/ where you make your collage headers would be greatly appreciated. I've been in a design rut.

For two years.

I think it might take some major pushing, prodding, pulling and late night chocolate to get things cleaned up around here.

If you made it to the end of this you deserve an award. Or a piece of cheesecake. Not that I have any left, but if I did it would be eaten in your honor.

And on that note, I'm heading to bed.

Your welcome!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Photo That Belongs on WW



But I couldn't wait to put it up.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Changed

It only takes a moment for life to change forever. It wasn't long ago that I asked you to pray for my brother-in-law as he fought cancer. I had no idea how quickly that my prayers would change.

A week ago I woke up not realizing how drastically life was about to change. I had gotten a midnight call that my brother-in-law's fight with cancer was dire, but I still had hope. The next morning we got up and prayed and read from Revelation. Hearing my children's heart in their prayers brought the realization that they are growing in their faith. That they are learning far younger than I to graciously accept a "no" that may come in answer to their prayers.

Then I got on facebook where my sister was posting updates and read the words "Jim will soon be going to be with Jesus." That night he did.

That night, Jim was changed. My sister and my niece were forever changed. My life, my husband's life, my children's lives were forever changed.

Jim's life is an amazing testimony to the power of love and the changing power of God's presence. He was first my sister's boyfriend/ husband and along the way he changed into a friend. A dearly beloved uncle. Although I only knew him a short time, love was what I saw define his life.


Would you pray for Megan and Marley? So many decisions have to be made. So many questions will have to be answered.


Although Jim will always be missed I look forward to the day when I too will be changed. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. After that, we who are still alive and who are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
I Thessalonians 4:16-18