My oh my how time flies when you are having fun! I haven't had a chance to stop in our whirlwind of a life to update our blog! I have a lot of catching up to do!
Since my last post:
My garden died :-(, apparently I started a little too early and my plants (and especially roots) outgrew the tray before the weather warmed enough to transplant! We will try again next year!
I spent the first few months of the year knee deep in preparations for a very special 3 year old's birthday. We celebrated our precious Landen's birthday on May 17th, and had his party on the 18th. I'll post party pictures and details soon. We had LOTS of fun!
We are in the final countdown to our LITTLE BOY arriving on September 9th! Our C-Section is scheduled, nursery is under way and our whole family is getting more and more excited each day!
I finished working in June, and Landen finished school, so we are officially home for the summer to spend special time together before little brother is here. I am loving being back home full-time. I love my job and especially the people I worked with, but nothing beats being home with my kiddos! Now that I am home, we are having a blast with lots of play dates with friends, craft projects, fun outings and preparing baby's nursery.
Landen has really enjoyed helping get the nursery together. He really seems to understand what is going on and he is so excited. I will also post nursery photos and details about our new little angel coming soon!
In preparing for big changes coming in September, I have started actually USING some of my nearly 3,000 Pinterest pins I have. I am loving the recipes and crafts I have done and can't wait to start sharing them! I am planning to post some of my ideas for preparing for a second baby and what I am doing to make life a little easier when our hands are full in 6 weeks!
So, lots of posts coming up, very exciting times! I am looking forward to sharing these wonderful times with you! See you soon!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
What a difference a couple of days makes!
Here is an update on my beginner's garden. I am already so excited about the results!
This was on February 13th, 7 days after planting:
This was on February 13th, 7 days after planting:
This was today, 8 days after planting:
I am hoping this progress keeps up and we will have lots of goodies to show in a few months!
Let the parties begin!
Landen got to enjoy his very first school party this week. His class had a great little Valentine's Day party and he had so much fun! We did fun little valentines for his classmates. They were the natural fruit squeezes, with a tag on the front that read "You're my main SQUEEZE" They were a huge hit.
Each child spent the morning decorating their own valentine box and finger painting a valentine for their parents - ours is proudly displayed on our fridge. When I arrived for his party, the kids were dancing and singing to fun little songs and getting ready for their party!
Each child spent the morning decorating their own valentine box and finger painting a valentine for their parents - ours is proudly displayed on our fridge. When I arrived for his party, the kids were dancing and singing to fun little songs and getting ready for their party!
Landen was so excited when I came in his class. He couldn't wait to show me what he had done that day. They had a visit from the mailman and learned all about how letters are delivered. He even got to sit in the mail truck. He was so cute telling me all about it.
Daddy even got to join us for a while! He got off work at 10:30 that day, so he took Landen home after his party. We absolutely loved seeing our little man with all his friends and dancing around to music. He is definitely enjoying his school!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Nice to meet you, Mrs. Green Thumb
I have recently began embracing a new side of myself that I had no clue existed, a green side! I wound up with several plants from my mom's funeral, all very pretty and sentimental. I knew I wanted to keep them alive and take very good care of them, but I had no idea I would enjoy it so much! I now look forward to watering them, setting them out for sun etc. I feel like my home is much warmer with some greenery in it, and have now ventured further.
I decided to start a garden this year, something I have wanted for years but was too scared to actually go through with. Both sides of my family have deep southern farming roots, so I feel like it's in my blood (though I am not ready to jump on a combine :-) ) My dad has had a garden of some sort since I was very little, and I have always looked forward to some of the fresh veggies he produced. Though I didn't look forward to the summer chore of picking and shelling peas, a task my brother and I avoided at all costs.
I wanted to start small this year, not get overwhelmed, and not overwhelm the small space I wanted to occupy with a garden. So, my husband took me to pick out seeds and get my little green dream started. I chose 10 veggies: beans, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, okra, peas, onions and zucchini. I am nervous, but hopeful that this will go well.
I had a special little helper when setting up my mini greenhouse to get my seeds started. We had such a good time, and he did an awesome job of following instructions and being patient (something we are slowly but surely working on). We filled the greenhouse with soil, then planted 2-4 seeds, depending on the veggie, in each hole. Then we labeled everything so we can keep up with what is what.
We planted these on February 9th, and have watered and waited patiently each day to see a sprout. This morning, I opened the top to check the soil for watering and we found a SPROUT! I was so so excited!
I decided to start a garden this year, something I have wanted for years but was too scared to actually go through with. Both sides of my family have deep southern farming roots, so I feel like it's in my blood (though I am not ready to jump on a combine :-) ) My dad has had a garden of some sort since I was very little, and I have always looked forward to some of the fresh veggies he produced. Though I didn't look forward to the summer chore of picking and shelling peas, a task my brother and I avoided at all costs.
I wanted to start small this year, not get overwhelmed, and not overwhelm the small space I wanted to occupy with a garden. So, my husband took me to pick out seeds and get my little green dream started. I chose 10 veggies: beans, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, okra, peas, onions and zucchini. I am nervous, but hopeful that this will go well.
I had a special little helper when setting up my mini greenhouse to get my seeds started. We had such a good time, and he did an awesome job of following instructions and being patient (something we are slowly but surely working on). We filled the greenhouse with soil, then planted 2-4 seeds, depending on the veggie, in each hole. Then we labeled everything so we can keep up with what is what.
That little guy means we did something right! This made me even more excited about building my raised beds once the weather is a little nicer. We will be able to transplant these outside once the risk of freeze is over. I am currently researching how to build raised beds, soil and fertilizer types, insect and pest tips, etc. My husband jokes that he is going to go ahead and purchase my straw hat. :-) I can't wait to keep you all updated on my newest little venture. Hopefully we will have some great stuff to can/freeze and enjoy!
Time flies when you are having fun.......
Well, the reality of our little boy growing up has hit us between the eyes. He started preschool last week and could not be thriving more, or having a better time. I was a little apprehensive, only because he has never been in this type of environment. I stayed home with him for the first year and a half, then we had a nanny in our home or him at a babysitter's home. I have done lots of research on the best schools in our area, so I knew this would be a wonderful environment for him. They keep the kids on a schedule, and have a curriculum each day, as well as a bible verse they learn.
I was worried he would be overwhelmed, scared, etc. Boy was I wrong! He walked right in and started playing. He was so excited to see other kids his age and seemed so comfortable. He was already fitting right in! I leaned down to tell him I would be back later to pick him up and asked if he was ok. He turned around, gave me a huge hug, big kiss, put his little hands on my shoulders and said "bye bye momma". I knew he was going to be just fine.
As we walked out, headed to our jobs, I just kept thinking "how did we get here?" "how is our little boy so grown up?" Yesterday, literally what seems like days ago, he was learning to crawl. I have quickly learned what all those experienced parents were talking about when they said "it's gonna fly by....." Boy has it flown.
I couldn't be more proud of our precious boy. He is the sweetest, most affectionate little guy. He is so gentle and genuine, even at such a young age. He loves to be outside, and runs like crazy. I tell everyone he is so good at being a toddler. He has it down to an art. Where does the energy come from?! As tired as we may some evenings, he is so much fun and we wouldn't trade it for the world. Our little boy is so smart, already counting to 20, knows over 10 shapes and even more colors and can recognize all letters. He learns so quickly, I can't wait to see how much more he picks up at school.
I was worried he would be overwhelmed, scared, etc. Boy was I wrong! He walked right in and started playing. He was so excited to see other kids his age and seemed so comfortable. He was already fitting right in! I leaned down to tell him I would be back later to pick him up and asked if he was ok. He turned around, gave me a huge hug, big kiss, put his little hands on my shoulders and said "bye bye momma". I knew he was going to be just fine.
As we walked out, headed to our jobs, I just kept thinking "how did we get here?" "how is our little boy so grown up?" Yesterday, literally what seems like days ago, he was learning to crawl. I have quickly learned what all those experienced parents were talking about when they said "it's gonna fly by....." Boy has it flown.
I couldn't be more proud of our precious boy. He is the sweetest, most affectionate little guy. He is so gentle and genuine, even at such a young age. He loves to be outside, and runs like crazy. I tell everyone he is so good at being a toddler. He has it down to an art. Where does the energy come from?! As tired as we may some evenings, he is so much fun and we wouldn't trade it for the world. Our little boy is so smart, already counting to 20, knows over 10 shapes and even more colors and can recognize all letters. He learns so quickly, I can't wait to see how much more he picks up at school.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Finally an update
Well, I am finally back to my blog. The past few months have been much more than I imagined. I started the month of December on a mission: a random act of kindness for every day until Christmas Day. Selfishly, I originally had this idea to help keep my mind off my numbing pain and heartache by bringing a smile to others. While I succeeded in doing quite a few acts on my list, I was met with the challenge of keeping it up. The truth, I had many days where I just didn't want to, I didn't want to do anything, and I still don't. Don't get me wrong, I was unbelievably blessed to experience some of the people and their responses. I enjoyed every moment of it.
Christmas Eve is Landen's special time with his grandparents - this year we had a hole. We had a very big part of us missing. Landen opened gifts his "Grammy" had bought months prior, labeled with name tags she had written. My dad found them from previous years and placed them on the gifts. I felt such an uncomfortable air around us all. Nobody knows what to say in those moments, nothing can make it better. You just enjoy those who are still there, and realize how blessed you are to be there with them.
Christmas morning was spent with my dad joining us, a very special time. Landen was beyond precious with all his new goodies, and provided a much needed light to the occasion. Once again, we all tried to smile, but with absolute brokenness behind it. I was so thankful for our wonderful little boy and his infectious giggles. Our Christmas lunch with family was great and we enjoyed having some family together. That evening, we received the most gorgeous snow I have seen in a very long time. We all agreed that my mom had a hand in that, she always wanted a "white Christmas".
As bad as it may sound, I have never been more happy to get the holidays behind me. I am usually loving every minute, but I just couldn't this year. Since then, I have fought a hard battle of trying to be strong, and being a complete mess. I joke with friends that I am making progress when I make it to Wednesday without crying so hard I become ill, or fall asleep. I hurt, bad. I tell my husband quite often that no matter how good I have become at keeping a smile on, I am numb inside. I don't feel like I used to. I have changed. I don't feel excitement like before. I am lost.
I have had a countless number of people tell me "it will get better with time". Will it, really? Because in what seems to be a lifetime since November 14th, it's far from better - maybe even worse. My spare bedroom is overwhelming with the intoxicating smell of my momma. I stored all of her clothes and belongings there while going through each piece and packing it away in storage. My family all agreed that we would hold onto it all for now. We couldn't handle the thought of strangers buying her things for pennies and us watching them walking away with pieces of her. My mother was so full of personality and it showed in every part of her life, especially her clothing. No way could we face that being taken from us right now. So, I spent hours each week pulling every piece of clothing off her hot pink hangers and folding it away in boxes. Memories flooded every time I pulled a piece she wore often, or recently. Breathtaking. Heartbreaking.
Now that I have started my sewing business back from my Christmas break, I am back in that room often. Late at night, sewing precious ruffles on tiny little outfits, and it hits me, her smell. I buckle and become a sobbing mess. I can feel her, I can hear her, I can smell her. I am stronger than this. I am supposed to be the one who can keep it together.
We found out in early January that we are expecting our second child, her second grandchild. We are due September 15th, the day after my mom's birthday. She was crazy about Landen. Though she didn't get to see him as often as she or I would have liked, she was never less of a proud grandma. She spoiled him as much as she could when she was able to be with him, and there is no doubt he knew she loved him. Now, our second child doesn't get to experience her and her vibrance. I will never again have my momma by my side when I go to the hospital. I will never again hear her say "when i had you.....". Nothing can compare or replace, ever.
Tomorrow will be 29 years since my parents said "I Do". I can't imagine what my dad is feeling. As broken as I may be right now, my amazing husband is the one who picks me up from the floor, and carries me through. Now my dad sits in an empty house, no longer the home she made it so many years ago. He is surrounded by the good memories, and the bad memories of her life in recent years; the slow, downward slope and losing battle she fought. They have been the epitome of dedication. Lord knows they faced hard times and frustrations, but they never gave up. That is truly something to be proud of. He is so blessed to be surrounded by many friends and loved ones who are keeping his chin up and his heart as full as possible. We all know she is with us, watching and smiling - all with a new, unbroken body.
I am praying hard that this year will bring happy memories and this healing everyone keeps promising. I was lucky to have 28 years with my momma, no matter how hard or frustrating it may have been at times; there were many more happy times. This year seems to be promising some bittersweet moments, and I know our angel will be watching over us all during it all. As much as I would love to promise to refrain from the sappy, mopey postings, I can't. I don't know how long it will take before I am able to somewhat move forward from the hurt. Until then, I ask for your prayers. I have so so much to be thankful and happy for, those are helping me every day and I can't wait to share those moments as well.
Landen and I got to do quite a bit together. In the photo above, we were delivering lots of toys and goodies to the Women's and Children's shelter in Little Rock. He was so sweet and gladly helped give the toys to them - a huge feat for a toddler. We also paid for other people's meals in the drive-thru, gave money to the salvation army every time we saw someone ringing the bell (landen LOVED that one) took carts back for people in the parking lot, etc. These were special times, but when you are fighting such a battle inside, the last thing you want to do is get out and put a smile on.
Christmas was a blur. We spent the weekend before in Texas. This trip is usually an absolute blast, this particular time was hard. This is my mom's family and where she grew up. It brought back such memories and made my heart hurt even more.
Christmas Eve is Landen's special time with his grandparents - this year we had a hole. We had a very big part of us missing. Landen opened gifts his "Grammy" had bought months prior, labeled with name tags she had written. My dad found them from previous years and placed them on the gifts. I felt such an uncomfortable air around us all. Nobody knows what to say in those moments, nothing can make it better. You just enjoy those who are still there, and realize how blessed you are to be there with them.
Christmas morning was spent with my dad joining us, a very special time. Landen was beyond precious with all his new goodies, and provided a much needed light to the occasion. Once again, we all tried to smile, but with absolute brokenness behind it. I was so thankful for our wonderful little boy and his infectious giggles. Our Christmas lunch with family was great and we enjoyed having some family together. That evening, we received the most gorgeous snow I have seen in a very long time. We all agreed that my mom had a hand in that, she always wanted a "white Christmas".
As bad as it may sound, I have never been more happy to get the holidays behind me. I am usually loving every minute, but I just couldn't this year. Since then, I have fought a hard battle of trying to be strong, and being a complete mess. I joke with friends that I am making progress when I make it to Wednesday without crying so hard I become ill, or fall asleep. I hurt, bad. I tell my husband quite often that no matter how good I have become at keeping a smile on, I am numb inside. I don't feel like I used to. I have changed. I don't feel excitement like before. I am lost.
I have had a countless number of people tell me "it will get better with time". Will it, really? Because in what seems to be a lifetime since November 14th, it's far from better - maybe even worse. My spare bedroom is overwhelming with the intoxicating smell of my momma. I stored all of her clothes and belongings there while going through each piece and packing it away in storage. My family all agreed that we would hold onto it all for now. We couldn't handle the thought of strangers buying her things for pennies and us watching them walking away with pieces of her. My mother was so full of personality and it showed in every part of her life, especially her clothing. No way could we face that being taken from us right now. So, I spent hours each week pulling every piece of clothing off her hot pink hangers and folding it away in boxes. Memories flooded every time I pulled a piece she wore often, or recently. Breathtaking. Heartbreaking.
Now that I have started my sewing business back from my Christmas break, I am back in that room often. Late at night, sewing precious ruffles on tiny little outfits, and it hits me, her smell. I buckle and become a sobbing mess. I can feel her, I can hear her, I can smell her. I am stronger than this. I am supposed to be the one who can keep it together.
We found out in early January that we are expecting our second child, her second grandchild. We are due September 15th, the day after my mom's birthday. She was crazy about Landen. Though she didn't get to see him as often as she or I would have liked, she was never less of a proud grandma. She spoiled him as much as she could when she was able to be with him, and there is no doubt he knew she loved him. Now, our second child doesn't get to experience her and her vibrance. I will never again have my momma by my side when I go to the hospital. I will never again hear her say "when i had you.....". Nothing can compare or replace, ever.
Tomorrow will be 29 years since my parents said "I Do". I can't imagine what my dad is feeling. As broken as I may be right now, my amazing husband is the one who picks me up from the floor, and carries me through. Now my dad sits in an empty house, no longer the home she made it so many years ago. He is surrounded by the good memories, and the bad memories of her life in recent years; the slow, downward slope and losing battle she fought. They have been the epitome of dedication. Lord knows they faced hard times and frustrations, but they never gave up. That is truly something to be proud of. He is so blessed to be surrounded by many friends and loved ones who are keeping his chin up and his heart as full as possible. We all know she is with us, watching and smiling - all with a new, unbroken body.
I am praying hard that this year will bring happy memories and this healing everyone keeps promising. I was lucky to have 28 years with my momma, no matter how hard or frustrating it may have been at times; there were many more happy times. This year seems to be promising some bittersweet moments, and I know our angel will be watching over us all during it all. As much as I would love to promise to refrain from the sappy, mopey postings, I can't. I don't know how long it will take before I am able to somewhat move forward from the hurt. Until then, I ask for your prayers. I have so so much to be thankful and happy for, those are helping me every day and I can't wait to share those moments as well.
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