My Stash

I guess I was a good girl this year.

I got so much that there is no way to post it all.

But I wanted to share a few of my favorite things.

Now, don't rush out and try to buy everything you see here.

It simply cannot be duplicated.

And yes, these pics were taken with my new Nikon D300, in case you were wondering!

Mine, All Mine

Cory woke me up Christmas morning before we woke the kids.

He said "shhh, come in here".

So I walked in the living room off balance, half awake, sleep in my eyes  gracefully and sat down to open my present.

You might be happy to know that my pictures will now have more detail, more color, more focus.

Because my husband had bought me this bad boy ...

And here are just a few pictures I've already taken with it!

Enjoy :)

(This is suppose to be a "shared gift" between Cory and I ... but I'm not sure how well that's gonna work out!)

Wordless Wednesday

Pretty Is Better

Isn't it so much better when you use a pretty cup?

I love this one I got for Christmas two years ago.

My daughter knows not to go near it.

She tells people I drink out of it to make me feel better :)

Thanksgiving Photo Journal

                                                  

What's In Your Pantry

I opened the pantry to find this staring at me ...

Then five minutes later I walked into the kitchen and caught the culprit in the act!

Isn't he cute?

On The Agenda

This is what a week out from vacation looks like at our house.

I love vacation.

I love the planning.

I love the packing.

I love my house being spotless when we leave.

I love the drive.

I love the actual vacation.

I love the memories.
I love getting good pictures.

I do not love the laundry when we return.

How do you plan for vacation?

Decorating ... Done!

I know, I know. Some people think we're skipping over Thankgsiving if we decorate before November 27th. Contrare to that belief, we incorporate Christmas into the same season as Thanksgiving. Isn't it all the "Holidays"?! (Although I'd probably decorate in July even earlier if I could get away with it!)

We are leaving next week for Gatlinburg. We'll be there through Thanksgiving. I am excited to walk the streets of Gatlinburgs Villages. We'll also go to the Dixie Stampede on Wednesday night. Can't wait for some amazing pictures of the kids panning for gold and sitting in piles of beautiful leaves!

With that being said, we have already decorated for Christmas. I love lighting the tree up every morning. It stays lit all day (only when we're home of course). It has even made this gloomy day outside ... a bright and cheery day inside!

Worst Days Of My Life

I was thinking back over the worst moments in my life.

I mean scary, terrifying, life altering, crazy moments.

I came up with four.

#1 My 20 month baby girl old ran into the middle of a major street (Cherry St.) into noon traffic.

A door had been left open at the church. I had a gut intuition and before I could speak, I heard people laying on their horns. I knew it was horrible. Somehow the cars had seen my toddler dart out the front door. She didn't have a scratch on her. God was ALL OVER that.

#2 I had an allergic reaction to a medicine that caused my heart to start skipping beats and my eyes to roll back in my head.

Never take medicine without doing research. I was young (21) and didn't do my research on a medication that other young mothers had had allergic reactions to as well. The eye condition could have been permanent, and my heart could have had serious problems. Thankfully after a night in the ER and three days recooperating I regained control of my eyes and my heart rate returned to normal.

#3 I was 3 months pregnant with our baby boy and passed out in our shower stall with a 4 second warning.

I was showering as normal and started feeling lightheaded. I got one sentence out of my mouth to Cory and then I remember losing every function of my body. Next thing I knew, Cory had me wrapped up in a blanket and patting my face. He was as white as I was at that point. Turns out a had low blood sugar and I wasn't allowed to shower the remaining of that pregnancy.

#4 I was T-Boned on the drivers side of my car ... 7 months pregnant ... and our 6 year old in the backseat. 

A teenage boy ran a stop sign and t-boned me in the drivers side, threw me into a ditch, and flipped the car completely on it's right side. Autumn came out with seat belt burn. I came out with glass in me, cuts, bruises, seat belt burn and a night in the hospital because I started having contractions. There is no logical reason we walked out of the wreck with as little as we did. God was ALL OVER that.
Funny side note: Easton was breeach at our appt the day before. They were looking at doing a c-section. After the wreck, he was not breech. The impact had flipped him completely in perfect position.

I can say that the Lord has shaped me and made me who I am because of the good ... and the bad ... moments in my life. If it weren't for the bad days, I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate the good days near as much. Although I don't understand WHY some things happen, I choose to trust.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

Proverbs 3:5,6

A Few Minutes

So, I was informed by my husband that he really wanted me to watch the FSU vs Clemson game with him tonight. 

I thought I could get out of watching the game by baking him goodies. By making him some game food. Cleaning the living room so he could enjoy the game in peace. Even talking Autumn & Easton into watching a movie in our room.

Negative.

So around 5:00 I started thinking of ways to get out of this game.

Here's some thoughts that popped in my head:

* Easton isn't feeling well so I need to go lay down with him for "a few minutes"

* My stomach hurts so I'm gonna be in the bathroom for "a few minutes"

* Aundrea has had a bad day and needs me to call her for "a few minutes"

* I forgot to pay the bills this week, so I need to go on the computer for "a few minutes"

* You have no clean underwear for church so I need to wash clothes for "a few minutes"

And the more I thought about it.... none of those would work. Cause none of them were true. I cleaned the house today. I finally found the bottom of my laundry basket. For all I know, Aundrea's had a great day. Easton is wide awake and feeling fine. And my stomach isn't rumbling or tumbling.

So, I am sitting here watching the game with my husband. I promised I'd get off this computer in a few minutes, so I better end this post for today. Plus, it's not as bad as I thought.

But I must say, if he ever wants our bedroom to look like this, I'm drawing the line.

It's In The Air

Today I got hit with the fever .... the holiday fever.
The fall season was in full bloom. Cory and I took Easton to a Homecoming Parade (BHS) and the weather could not have been more beautiful.

When we drove up in our yard this afternoon, this is what we saw.

I had to stop and stare at the leaves that had started falling. I took a deep breath of fresh air, the sun was shining, and I quietly thanked My Father for such a beautiful day.

I love the smell of cinnamon and spice candles that come along with this season.

I am very much looking forward to lighting a fire like we did during the cold snap a few weeks ago.

Tonight, I pulled out our winter clothes from the tubs in the garage.

In the next week or two I want to get our Christmas Tree up. I like to enjoy our tree longer than a few weeks.

I'm praying the cold weather decides to grace us soon.
I'm ready! Are you?

Home Coming

My husband had the privilege of being asked to speak at our home church (Milton First Assembly) for their annual Homecoming service. He did a superb job speaking about the prodigal son and how his "homecoming" with his earthly father was a beautiful portrayal of our "homecoming" with our heavenly father one day. We have to make the decision to run to Jesus now (like the prodigal did his father) so that our eternal homecoming will be a celebration and not a decimation. (Read about the prodigal son in Luke 15).

While we were in town for our short trip, I began to think of things that make Milton feel so much like "home". Here are a few things:

1) My mom and dads front porch. Sitting in the swing. Hearing the honk of someone who sees you & knows you. Peaceful. Relaxing. Entertaining.

2) Driving down Dogwood Drive. Driving down Stewart Street. Something about those two roads that bring me back "home" every time. It's like I go in auto-pilot when I'm on them.

3) The green house on Alabama Street that Cory & I claim will be ours one day.

4) Wal-Mart. You can guarantee you'll see no less than 10 people you know every time you go. It's like a small reunion.

5) Tastee Freez = Fried Pickles. Ranch. Chicken Fingers. Gravy. Toast. Chocolate Dipped Cone.

6) Milton First A/God. Pastor Rogers. Growing up in a church for 21 years tends to create some deep roots. It's always exciting to visit and catch up. Worshipping with them makes it ever better.

7) Family. Nothing makes a place feel like home more than seeing family at every turn.

What is "home" to you?

Integrity

So, I had a few minutes before my babysitter had to leave today ... so I stole a quick trip, alone, to the chaotic store we all know as Wal-Mart. I am not used to shopping Wal-Mart, I normally do Winn-Dixie or Publix .... just less people. Sans kids, I thought it would be easier. Haha.

I had already walked the length of the store 6 times ... seriously. I remembered I needed milk, then remembered I need paint for a project, then remembered I need yogurt, then I remembered we were almost out of toilet paper ... YOU GET THE POINT!

By the time I was at the front of the store trying to find the line with the least people I realized I had two items in my buggy I didn't want to buy anymore. I looked around to see if anyone was looking. I saw an empty slot on a shelf. Sure those items were completley unrelated. But they pay people to "put stuff back", right? As I reached to put the items in that empty slot, checking to make sure no-one was watching, guess what happened:  

My husband and his talk on intergrity hit me square in the face. He thrives off of having integrity.
You see, I used to have a horrible habit of placing items randomly in stores. He lovingly told me a few years into our marriage how much this simple practice lacks integrity.

So, with respect for my husband and a teeny bit of conviction in my heart, I walked the 20 aisles to the back of the store just to put the items back on the shelf. I did it. Not completely willingly, but I did it.

And when I unloaded my buggy, I took it all the way to the buggy cart. Which on occassion, I've been known not to do. Oh yeah, that's another one of small integrity things!

I love my husband ... and I love that he pushes me to be a better person ... even when he doesn't know it.

Integrity (according to websters) = firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility

Integrity (according to my husband) = What you do when no-one is around. Who you are when no-one is watching.

Who's Educating You?

I am always curious what people like myself, in similar stages of life, and dealing with the same struggles are reading.

So, in case you're interested, here is what's sitting on my nightstand ...

Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna

Have a New Kid by Friday by Kevin Leman

Your Time Starved Marriage by Les & Leslie Parrott

The Message by Eugene Peterson

Who's Educating You?

Spanking?

We took a one day trip to Milton this past weekend.

We were in Cordova Mall looking in Dillards.
I was strolling Easton ... Autumn was walking with me ... Cory was in the restroom.

Autumn got out of my sight for a few seconds ... and as soon as I rounded the rack of clothes and saw her, I thought I'd scare her into staying right beside me.

I knelt down in front of her. I leaned in real close. We were eye to eye.

I wanted her to know I meant business.
I explained to her that she is a beautiful young lady and there are people in this world who would take her. I told her that she could get lost and then she'd be scared and crying. I explained she is to never leave my sight ... On and on for a minute or two.

I'm thinking I'm doing a pretty good job of scaring her into sticking closer to me than white on rice.

She waits for me to get done. I'm looking in her eyes. I wait for her response.

She politely says "Mom, did you brush your teeth today?"

Foto Friday = Really Sunday 09.27.09

Today we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Callaway Assembly.

It is honoring to be a part of a church that is full of such rich history.

Here is a snapshot of todays service.

(By the way, my husband did an amazing job on the DVD presentation. You should get a copy if you've had any part of CAG. It's that good!)

Happy Birthday Easton

Then and Now

(09.18.07 verses 09.18.09)

Today our baby boy turned 2 years old.

Thats 104 weeks.

Or 730 days.

Or 525660 hours.

Or ... well, you get the point.

I guess that means he's not really called a baby anymore.

He's graduated to toddler status now.

But, as a mom, he'll always be MY baby.

For those who know us well, you know it took us 6 years and 2 losses to finally get our Easton.

When I call him my "miracle" it's because he is. He survived. He thrived. He is here.

Easton was prayed for, interceded for, fasted about, and brought before the Lord more times that I will ever know of ... all before he was ever in my womb. The Lord answered our prayers. Psalm 139:13

I pray that our son grows up to be a strong man of God. I pray he follows the path that is narrow and that is hard. I pray that he perserveres with integrity. I pray that he guards his heart, and then opens it completely for the right woman. I pray he leads his home with spiritual authority. I pray these things NOW ... because as we all know, our children grow before our eyes way faster than we'd ever hoped.

I won't get emotional and tell you how much I love it that he still plays with my hair while he goes to sleep .... or how much I don't mind when he cries in the middle of the night so I HAVE to pull him in bed with us ... I won't do it. I just won't. I won't tell you how I am in denial that he's moving up into another size clothes and it breaks my heart. Nope, not gonna do it :)

Foto Friday 09.11.09 Transformation

Autumn went to the office with her dad ... and came back looking like this.

Cory said "Sorry, she used to be beautiful"!

Surprisingly, Easton just giggles at her!

You Know You're A Mom of Little Ones When .....

.... white is not a prominent color in your wardrobe.

.... you schedule walmart trips around naptime.

.... you get more excited about a new diaper bag than a new purse.

.... you hide your favorite chips in the back of the pantry so they don't find them.

.... you eat m&m ice cream bars at 10 pm so that slobber isn't a side dish.

.... you get excited when you have an "annual" doctors appointment - kids can't come.

.... sidewalk chalk is now a part of writing utensils in the house.

.... pink and blue will forever be colors forever incorporated into your living room decor.

.... "countdown" doesn't mean to a football game, but to bedtime.

.... all the spit up, diarrhea, snot, crying, and whining is worth it .... cause the love, hugs, cuddles, smiles and "I love you"s outweigh it all.

Foto Friday 09.04.09 Sick Baby

Easton got croup this week.

When the cough went away, the fever came.

When the fever went away, the green snot trail came.

So, this is where we are today :)

Cory says I can't take him to church on Sunday.

He said I wouldn't appreciate another mom bringing their baby with green snot. He's right. I wouldn't be happy at all. Honestly, I'd probably be pretty aggravated. So, I had a reality check that my baby is not the exception to the rule.

That being said, I shall be staying home from church Sunday!

Foto Friday 08.28.09 Destin For A Day

Even though Destin is only an hour away, we rarely make the trip.

I was reminded this Friday why we need to make more time for days like this!

Cracker Barrell for lunch, Build-A-Bear for Autumn (Thanks Gram & Pop), and running through water rockets for Easton!