Today I blogged everyday for a month. Finished the 30 day Mom challenge. I learned some things from it & was encouraged by my kids response from some. I love my boys more than anything. I would lay my life down for them. I thank God for them & thankful I get to spend another day with them. Enjoy your children & hug them a little tighter today.

Yay Tyler got home from Denver early this morning ! I was glad to see him home & missed him a lot !

Had another beautiful day ! Boys & I got up & got dressed for church. Part of loving where I live is my church. I Love our pastor & love to hear him preach. We went to The Sailfish for lunch. It was almost warm enough to sit outside, but seeing the water just makes me want warmer boat weather to get here faster! Now waiting for Tyler to get home! Been in Denver since Tuesday & I am ready for him to get home !

We have had some Beautiful weather this past week. One day it was 76 & I was LOVING it ! I am not complaining about this winter so far being mild ! Today was another warm day. Cameron & myself went to the beach for a few hours. I am a Happy girl when I am on the beach ! We picked up stones to go in our outdoor shower, Cameron hit golf balls up & down the beach, & then we just sat & played in the sand. I always look at the ocean & amazed at how vast it is & how our God is even bigger. I do alot of praying & talking to God when I walk the beach. I am in awe of how Great an artist he is. The warm sand under my feet & breathing that salt air just makes me at peace . I am thankful to be able to walk the beach whenever I want & have shared many memories with my kids on the beach. Cameron has always been willing to walk the beach & I think he shares the same love I have for it. Today was Good day !

Life !

Another dreary , windy  but warm day ! Ever just sit & think about Life. People just seem to go on day by day, same routines & then Bam! life just smacks ya right in the face. I have often said I feel blessed to live this life I've been given. I have a Husband who is my Best Friend, who loves me for me. 2 beautiful boys that have taught me so much about being a Mother & loving Life. I have good relationships with all my brothers & sisters & brother n laws & sister n laws. Both Tyler & I have our parents still with us. We both have Grandmothers still here. I don't want or need for anything. I have a roof over our head & food in the pantry. I am grateful & thank God everyday for all that I have. Sometimes Life throws a wrench & you want to crawl in a hole & not come out. I know your not to ever question anything but sometimes I do & it makes me angry, not at God but Life. Why do some things happen to good people or the ones you love? It just doesn't seem right sometimes. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, although I may not see Gods exact plan , I know there is one. I may not like how it plays out but I must keep my faith & trust in him, because he will see me thru, Good & Bad. Our God is a God of endless hope. He is the Master Physcian, a healer, merciful, love, comforter, Almighty, reliable, Holy, caring, protective, powerful, restoring, destorying, needed, Proven , Amazing ..... & Life.

Running

I've been back running/walking  (5 to 6 days) for 2 weeks now. Ive been following a Pinterest endurance training. I am now up to a steady 5 minute run . I do 3 sets of 5 min run with a 1 min walk in between. I know that's not much to you runners out there but for me it is a big deal. Now I'm not real speedy either & I am a huff'n & puff'n to get thru it, but the endurance challenge is working because when I started I couldn't hardly run 1 min ! Today was a struggle, at times I probably looked like I was gonna fall down & shuffle'n my feet but I finished it . My goal is to be able to run 20 or 30 mins without stopping, I don't know ... that seems a way off ... we'll see ?

Daylight Savings Time

I have said before how I Hate the cold & I Hate it when the time changes. Tyler has said many times I suffer from seasonal deppression & I think I do too. I am not myself when the time changes & it takes about 3 weeks to get out the funk I'm in when it starts. I get a little better but cold weather makes it worse ! I read some good news today though .... Daylight savings time starts March 11 at 2 am ! That makes me happy ! I always bring attention to what time it is at home & it not being dark at 5. Little by little I see it coming around. Bring it on ! Im ready , more time to be out side & more time on the boat in the evenings, which we LOVE ! So about 6 weeks & counting ....

Pinterest Laughs

                                              

I Love looking at the sayings & signs on Pinterest. Some of them make me laugh & some are very true. Here are just a few....

                                                     

From now on my period will be known as Shark Week !

30 Day Mom Challenge : Yesterday the question was, How do you want your child to remember you , be that Mom today. I've sat & thought about that question many times yesterday & today. Kinda hard to answer, at least for me , because I think every parent has regrets & wish they could had done better. I would hope that they would remember me has a Godly mother, caring , loving , funny, giving, didn't put up with any mess, a friend, always there for them, an example, teacher, good cook, respectful,& a good wife. How I wish that I would be lucky enough for them to think that of me but I know reality is that they probably don't think ALL of that or any. I think all parents go thru a time when they think they have failed in certain areas of their children's lives. I know I feel that way & wish I could have changed or maybe did somethings different. Can't turn back time & I can only hope that my children can learn from things, not hold grudges & my fear of them telling me in the future I'm the reason for something. I think I've done a fairly good job with my boys & I am my own worst critic & I do know my faults. I can only keeping praying for the wisdom & guidance I need to raise some Godly , respectable men. Being a Mother is the hardest job on earth, but I love my Boys more than anything on earth !

Encouragement

Today is cold , wet dreary day. Sitting in the house, wanting to crawl back in bed & not do nothing. I have got up to put dinner in the crock pot & now watching Cameron play the Wii. As I've sat here & looked on FB, a lot of times I just over look peoples post because they seem so needy or they post about every lil thing but this morning I sat & realized that there are many people who just hurt & that is their way of expressing themselves & they might not be able to vocalize it. Their are people who have lost their child, going thru a divorce, has had a death,some going thru a sickness & some not knowing yet what may be,friendships that are broken, some struggling with just everyday life. We are all different & express ourselves in different ways. Who am I to judge or feel like what one says is so small, when in fact I should send a word of encouragement. Isn't that what God expects of us , anyway ? So take time & reach out or even just a post to let that person know your thinking of them. You never know how it might impact someone!

Was busy yesterday ! I tried some new recipes. First I did the Brown Sugar cookies that I found on Pinterest. Let me just say , if you like butter you'll love them. They were good but more like a cake cookie. I left them in longer to see if they would firm up , but didn't really do anything. I couldn't eat many because they were heavy. I next made some Brocili Cornbread. Found this is the People Magazine Christmas edition. It was was Scotty McCrearys g'mas recipe. It was easy to make & yummy !

Nothing exciting today. Ty stayed home from school & we went to town together. We had a good time & I always enjoy our one on one time together. Doesn't happen much these days so I'll take it whenever he wants to go with with me.

Yay! Tyler is home after being gone for 4 days to Nashville. We were glad to see him walk in the door! 2 days is about all we can stand but this is our new life so I better get use to it ! I did miss him & so glad he's home !

House Cleaned !

Two full days of cleaning & I am Finally through !!! Every closet & cabinet straighten . Stuff packed to go to GoodWill. Nothing like a clean house . I have threaten the boys that they better not make one crumb anywhere . I would like to enjoy my labor for at least a day. They did help me out last night & I appreciate it or else it probably would had been another day at it. Now to take a bath & get in the bed on my clean sheets & watch American Idol.

Cleaning out Clutter !

Been busy since this morning on the front of the house. Finally got ALL the Christmas stuff put away. Whew, so glad Cameron & Tyler helped me. Every January I clean out all the closet & cabinets. I got the front of the house & laundry room done today. Tomrrow the back of the house & not looking forward to it !

Happy Birthday Olivia !

Today is Olivia's 2nd Birthday ! She is precious & she has her Uncle Tyler wrapped around her finger! We are so thankful & blessed for the joy she has given us. We love you Olivia & hope you had a Great Birthday ! Happy Birthday !!!

Dolphin Tale

Have y'all seen Dolphin Tale, yet ? We finally watched it tonight! Those that know me, know I am one with fish! We went to the Bahamas this past May & part of our trip we spent a day at an island & swam with the dolphins. I was in heaven! I was so happy & excited to be able to do it, it really was a dream come true! Tyler had a good time too. It really was FUN! I hope to bring our boys back to the same place in the near future. I have always said that having a job at a dolphin hospital or you know something like Sea World would be awesome! I love the line in the movie when the Lil girl says ... "My G'dad says we have salt water in our veins", I feel the same way. I am my happiest when I am on the water & having the sand beneath my feet! This movie had such a good message & at times tears rolling out because it touched my heart. If you have not rented it yet, go do it !

Trader Joes

Went to Garner yesterday & today. We always try to cram a Trader Joes trip in if we can. So off this morning with the boys & Dewey & Mary. Tyler & myself love going & not just for the cheap,good wine! I think Ty enjoyed going as well. He stuck with me & we were looking at all the different things they had. Overall left with two bags of stuff & I can't wait to cook the baby zucchini tomorrow. Could had done with out the Lil boy pitching a fit! I mean this kid was going crazy screaming, running the Lil cart into his Dad, throwing a bag of blueberries at him & then doing a Pete Rose dive on the floor ! All while the Dad didn't say a word, picking up the stuff he threw, taking away his Lil cart which Really pissed the Lil boy off ! It was ridiculous! I'm sorry but he needed his Lil ass whoop'd! Everybody in the store was looking like they wanted to whoop him too! Everybody was glad to see them leave! After Trader Joes, went to eat at Serediptiy. When I worked in Cary I used to eat there at least once a week. I haven't been there in over 15 years & it looked the same & I ordered the same thing I always ordered back then. It was good to me ! We left & went to Natalie's house. Glad we went by , because she had been doing some renovating to her house. She had added a screen in porch on the front of the house & as soon as we pulled up, I was loving it! You see me & Tyler have not been in agreement for over a year & half on how to screen in on our back deck, so we haven't done it! Well we have a plan & hope Natalie doesn't mind us stealing her porch but we BOTH loved it! Hopefully we will work on it within the next month or two. We had a good time spending time with Dewey & Mary. Manage to squeeze in a Lil nap before Olivia's birthday party. Olivia will be 2 next week & her party was today. She had such a cute party & had lots of Lil friends there. Hard to believe its already been two years. She is the family's Lil princess & my boys like to do things to her to aggravate her, like put her babies in her play oven. They tell her to say things & she repeats it. She is at such a fun age! She is precious! So home we went & of course our boys wanted to stay, but it's hard to get Tyler to stay more than a night! Have to admit I am loving laying in my own bed!

Friday the 13th !

You believe in superstitions ? I don't, not really. Well today is Friday the 13th, the first one of the new year. There is 3 Friday the 13th's this year. April & July are next.  It is thought to be the most unlucky day, dating back to the 1800's. There is a phobia for this ... Friggafriskaidekaphobia .... yeah? no idea how to pronounce , except the phobia ! Some people even avoid everyday routines & don't go to work because of Friday the 13th. Found some different superstitions & thought I would share ....

- 13 is consider to be an unlucky number & Friday to be an unlucky day

- Getting married on Friday the 13th means your marriage is doomed

- Fishermen are to avoid fishing on the day

- Farmers should avoid harvesting on the day

- You should avoid moving on this day

- This day has been associated with stock market crashes

- You should not be seated at a table with 13 for dinner, for death will be to one (Geez !)

-  The 13th guest at the Last Supper , Judas, betrayed Jesus

- There is no 13 gate at airports & no room # 13 in a hospital.

Makes ya think. We have had a Great Friday the 13th. We did sit down to eat with family to eat at Cracker Barrel tonight & I have to admit , I did count how many !

_

Today is my sister n law Ashley's Birthday ! Happy Birthday Ashley ! She has been a good friend to me as well & thankful to have her ! She has blessed us in 2 years , with 2 of the most precious gifts ! Glad there is still young ones around , so I can get my baby fix. Happy Birthday Ashley ! Save me some cake ! Love ya bunches !  

Happy Birthday to my sister Robin ! We celebrated tonight by going to eat at her favorite Mexican restaurant. I am so glad to have her as a sister. I cherish & love her dearly & so thankful to have her but most of all thankful for our friendship! She has been good to me. We always have a good time when we are together & get on peoples nerves with our silly mess that we carry on. We don't care ! Happy Birthday Robin ! I love you so much !!!

30 Day Mom Challenge :  Picture myself at my children's age  & how I felt ? When I was 15, my parents were building a brand new home & I was excited to be moving on the other side of Garner. I was closer to my friends & was a freshman in high school. We lived across the street from the grocery store & I didn't have my license but my parents would let me drive to the store when they needed something. You can ask my parents & they would tell you I was a good child & didn't really push them. I did have a smart mouth every now & then , but my daddy could give me a look & I would shut up real fast. I was always open with my Dad & never really hid anything from him. I can remember two times when I got caught doing something I was not suppose to do. But he always understood & never really punished me for them.  This is something I try to tell my own 15 year old, but he has different ideas . Its a miracle my life turned out the way it did at such a hard age. I had a lot going on in my home life , that a lot of people had no idea . It was tough at times, but I guess faith got me thru & I knew that I would NEVER take that path in life. My 15 year old & my life as a 15 year old were totally different paths. I do stop myself sometimes & just say he is a 15 year old , let it be. But I swear I think this age is worse than 2 & 3's ! He is a Great kid & I say often if this is as bad as I get it , I'll take it ! I love him so much & tell him all the time, I would let a truck run me over , for him ! He rolls his eyes . I'm very proud of him & I tell him all the time that I know the Lord has Big plans for him ! And he does , you just wait & see !  

Feet Hitting The Pavement !

Today was my first day back to running. I really have slacked off for over a year now. I struggled so bad when I did that 5k back in December with Cameron. I have been really sick since the day after Christmas with bronchitis & other stuff, so this is why I'm starting on the 9th instead of the 1st. I found a beginners 4 week challenge , (yes on Pinterest) that builds your endurance up each day, so by the end of the 4 weeks you'll  be running 30 Min's. That's my goal for these next 4 weeks & today wasn't as hard as I was expecting it to be. When I came in the house & looked in the mirror my face was blood red. I don't know if that was good or bad ? I have found in the past, that when I run , the weight comes off faster. Do I like it ? No , but I do like the results it gives me . I am turning 39 (wink, wink) this year  & I have always said to myself I'm going be in the Best Shape by then. We'll see ??? If interested in the running challenge, let me know & I'll post.

30 Day Mom Challenge : Told the boys how many weekends till they graduate from school . Ty's was about 128 weekends. His response ... he raised one eyebrow. Cameron's is about 466 weekends . His response , " Whoa that's a long time !"

Impressed !!!

Looking on Facebook & my niece Cheryl ( Jeremy's wife ) had posted pics from Christmas & of her Food Saver adventure. Now I had heard about her getting a food saver & her venture to prepare the meals. I thought , oh that's good idea & she'll make her & Jeremy some meals to freeze, she so smart! (She really is & sweet too !) Boy was I wrong ! She did it & all I can say is I AM IMPRESSED !!!! This is what she posted under her first pic with just the groceries laid out ,
"I decided to cook meals so I wouldn't have to do much when I get home for work. I thought it would take me 1/2 a day for shopping and 1 day for cooking....it actually took me 3 days! I was exhausted. I did end up for 3 months worth of frozen meals. It has been worth it."
Now take a look at what she did !



Impressive right !? & that wasn't all the pictures! I was just blown away ! Cheryl what weekend you want to come help me ? Hahaha ! I'll need to buy a freezer first. Like I said before she is a sweet , smart girl & we are lucky to have her part of the family. Jeremy did good !  One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was from Cheryl. She made everyone homemade vanilla.( Did you know all vanilla is , is vanilla beans & Vodka !)  I loved it & have used it twice. That was such a Great idea! Thanks Cheryl & thanks for giving me something to blog about ! Love ya !



Blessed

I've been reading other peoples blogs tonight. Some people don't even know I read their blogs. They are friends of friends of mine. I read one tonight from a lady from our community, who just lost her lil boy before Christmas. I wept for this lady & prayed for her & her family, whom I do not know at all. I can't imagine ! Fathom ! What her grief is !  It just broke my heart reading her blog & her saying how she would go sit in his room to smell him on his things & how her heart aches & longs to hold & kiss his sweet lips.My heart hurts for her. Back in May another family from our community lost their lil boy. I am friends with this lady on Facebook, but we have never met. Some days her status are missing her son or posting a picture of her cradling her sweet sick boy in the bed at the hospital & how she says night time is always the worst. (Shew crying now ! ) Losing a child is the worst possible thing that could happen to a parent. I don't know how one could even function? Both of these ladies have been an inspirations to me & so many people & they have no idea. Their faithfulness, strength, & yes encouragement to others is beyond amazing ! These are some Strong Godly women. So as I sit here blogging & my two boys are carrying on & getting on my nerves ... I am thankful they are able to get on my nerves & I'll just get up & shut the door quietly. Hug your children & tell them you love them. Never take for granted what you have because you never know what tomorrow holds. Please keep these families in your prayers.

30 Day Mom Challenge: Asked them both what can I cook that you like to eat ? Ty - got no response. Cameron - He said"Ummm Mom , thats gonna be kinda hard, because everything you cook is so good!" Made my heart smile ! Lil sweet thing ! I love my boys & feel very blessed to be their Mother.   

Warmer Weather

Beautiful day today ! I hate, despise, hate,hate,hate COLD weather ! Anything under 68 degrees & I am miserable ! If I had my choice it would be warm year round . It was so nice today , cleaned the porch & we ended up grilling pizzas with Jeffery & Erin & the kids ! I even asked Tyler if we could ride on the boat tomorrow. Looking forward to another warm day tomorrow , who knows, Cameron & myself might end up at the beach !

30 Day Mom Challenge :  I kissed my boys while they slept. Cameron didn't budge, but it startled Ty & he yelled out " What you doing?" I didn't answer & just went out & shut the door but had to laugh to myself because he was half asleep & wondering what was going on.  

My Sweet Daddy

Whew ! Been a stressful past 2 days ! Happy to say that my Daddy is on his way home from the hospital & all the test ran on him were clear. Reason why ? Seems to be stress related. Those who know the situation , know what the stress is ! Today as I waited by myself in his room for him to come back from the stress test, it made me a little sad. My parents are 75 years old & there is no handbook on how to prepare you for your elderly parents. I'm a Daddy's Girl, so it really bothers me when things go on with him. Some things are just beyond my control & I've learned to distance myself from them, but it breaks my heart that my Dad is stuck to deal with it. I wish things were different for him, but Today I'm gonna Praise the Lord from the depths of my soul that he is still here ! Please continue to keep him in your prayers as he goes home.

30 Day Mom Challenge : It's not bed time yet , but it will be done .

Easy Dinner

Another Pinterest find ..... Tater Tot Casserole. It is So GOOD & EASY! My family tears it up every time I make it ! It says its a weight watchers meal & 8 points for servings of six. That made it even better for me . We are trying to cut back on carbs , so I didn't eat as many tater tots as I would had liked too . I steamed some Broccoli & Cameron made some fruit parfaits to go with our meal. Nothing was left ! Here's my version of the recipe:

Brown & S/P 1 1/2lb of lean hamburger meat with

a 1/4 of cup of diced onion. Drain the meat & wipe

the pan out with a paper towel. In the same pan

put 1 can of cream of mushroom reduce

fat soup & add a half a can of water. Heat the

soup up until melted together. Stir in the meat.

Pour the meat mixture in a casserole pan, you

can put a layer of 2% cheddar cheese on the top

of meat, but I leave it off.   Then top the top with tater tots.

Bake at 375 for 25 mins until bubbling

& then broil on high for about 2 mins.

Cameron's Parfaits

30 Day Mom Challenge : This was an EASY one ... I had them hugs knocked out before they went out the door to school & will give them more when they get home !

Sickness , Ugh !!!!

Today was back to school ... Yay ... ready to move on to my routine. As I mentioned before, all of us has been sick ! Cameron & I are still not over it , but I think Cameron has had the roughest time with it. Don't you just feel so bad for your children when their sick ? He came to me , Monday & told me to look at his gum in his mouth. When I saw it , I was like that's not right , so off to the dentist we went. He has a baby tooth that will soon be lost & it has a cavity on it.  Didn't do anything about it back in December because it is a baby tooth & the permanent one is starting to push it out. Well with him being sick & on a Zpack , that antibiotic made the tooth issue flare up because it knew there was infection but not the right antibiotic for  infected mouth. So now he is on Amoxicillin, 4 times a day ! The tooth will be pulled next Wednesday. Now I'm worried he has had too much antibiotics &  has wiped him out . Lots of yogurt & pedialyte is being drank & ate ! Please keep my lil one in your prayers, that this will be it & nothing else after the tooth is pulled. He is ready to start feeling better & so am I !



30 Day Mom Challenge : As of right now , I've done good ! No yelling so far ! None of them are at home, so I guess that helps ! :)

30 Day Mom Challenge

Found this on Pinterest .... have I mentioned I love Pinterest ;) ! So I set out this morning to start off with # 1. I started with Ty. I asked him , " Whats something we can do fun together this month ?" Response .... Shrug of the shoulders, " I dunno know . " Me ," you can't think of anything?" Him, "Not really." Now what the jimmy jack am I suppose to do with that ? I think this lady should had put an * for responses from teenager.  I just let it go, as we rode down the road with him driving & me so tensed up, having anxiety & using my imaginary brake , because he scares the crap out of me! Ready for Day 2, sad to say but that might be an issue! I will try ! I'll let you know....my tongue might be bleeding by the end of the day .  Who's gonna join me ???

Happy New Year !!!

Happy New Year !!! Welcome to my Blog. Bare with me , I have not completely figured this all out ! Can't believe 2012 is here , Wow ! We have alot of exciting things that will be taking place in our lives this year, you'll just have to check back to see what they are. I'm not real sure about what direction I will take with this blog as well. Who knows what might be posted??? But here goes my first post ........

We survived Christmas & New Years. I love decorating the house, but I hate taking it down & putting it away. I've got 4 trees put away , but my Big one is still up. I will try to work on it during the week getting the stuff off but I have to have help taking it down & packing it up. I do Love that tree though. We enjoyed our time with our families at Christmas. Ate 5 tacos & enjoyed every bite ! Was home early enough this year for Santa to come early & get in bed at a descent time. I'm thinking it may be our last year & I enjoyed taking Cameron to see Santa & yes paying $15 for the 4x6 picture , because it may very well be the last. I would like to think our boys had a good Christmas. Ty is 15 & don't get very excited over much these days but I see him laying his bed every night watching his own TV with his own box. So I guess he's happy. Our time in Garner was very enjoyable. I have to say the highlight of Christmas this year , was watching our niece Olivia get her Bitty Baby. She was so excited! I started to tear up at one point , because the look on her face was just pure enjoyment for Tyler & myself ! I loved it & it was one of those moments that made my heart smile ! Loaded up & back home we went only to start feeling bad & by Tuesday, everyone in the house was sick. Dr visits, ear infections, sinus infections & bronchitis! Ty wouldn't go to the Dr , but the rest of us are on antiboctics. So ringing in the New Year has not been as enjoyable. I did, however, get up & cook a trational meal.  Second year in a row I've done it & I think I do fairly well. Tyler says its good ! I also made a Texas sheet cake that I got off of Pinterest. (I am addicted to Pinterest , so I'm sure there will be plenty to share on the blog.) It was sooooo GOOD ! Yum Yum Yummy ! If you like chocolate, you must try ! Last minute , Dwayne, Robin, Rachel & Sarah came up to eat & they had no complaints, so I guess I did OK . Tyler will have to take rest of cake to work, because like millions of others in this world, I will start back to my fitness routine that I have fell off of since summer ! Maybe blogging about it will give me motivation. We'll see. Anyway, I will close for now & hopefully I will figure out how to post some pics ....