Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
I'm still alive!
Tired, busy, crazy, but still alive.
Ours plans for moving are pretty much finalized, and the hubby will be flying in 2 weeks from today. So I'm sorting, packing, giving away, throwing away, attempting to sale. Plus cleaning, washing, Halloweeeeening, home with a sick little girl, suppose to be helping my mother plan my graduation party, dealing with family issues. And I've sort of lost track of my Internet life. Truthfully, now that I'm finished with school, I'm just enjoying not having to be on the computer every day!
I'm sure I'll be a little touch and go around here for the next 3 weeks or so, between the getting ready to move, driving across the country, and getting settled over there. I will be back though! :)
As for the packing, it's not all bad. I came across my journal a few days ago, one that I I start and stop regularly. [I love to write, but life gets in the way often!] But, flipping through said journal was a nice experience. The post weren't always positive, it's seen some rough patches, but one post was all it took to remind me why all of this craziness and sacrificing over the last year have been worth it.
In November of 2008 I wrote:
"Every piece of ME is attached to HIM. Every thought I have can be linked to HIM. HE owns my heart, my soul, me world. I could never go a day without HIM by my side. I could never survive that type of life. I tell HIM everything. I stare at HIM, thankful that HE's mine. And so life goes."
I love him. And he's my best friend. And we've been through hell and back. And we're still in love. Therefore, it will all be worth it.
Ours plans for moving are pretty much finalized, and the hubby will be flying in 2 weeks from today. So I'm sorting, packing, giving away, throwing away, attempting to sale. Plus cleaning, washing, Halloweeeeening, home with a sick little girl, suppose to be helping my mother plan my graduation party, dealing with family issues. And I've sort of lost track of my Internet life. Truthfully, now that I'm finished with school, I'm just enjoying not having to be on the computer every day!
I'm sure I'll be a little touch and go around here for the next 3 weeks or so, between the getting ready to move, driving across the country, and getting settled over there. I will be back though! :)
As for the packing, it's not all bad. I came across my journal a few days ago, one that I I start and stop regularly. [I love to write, but life gets in the way often!] But, flipping through said journal was a nice experience. The post weren't always positive, it's seen some rough patches, but one post was all it took to remind me why all of this craziness and sacrificing over the last year have been worth it.
In November of 2008 I wrote:
"Every piece of ME is attached to HIM. Every thought I have can be linked to HIM. HE owns my heart, my soul, me world. I could never go a day without HIM by my side. I could never survive that type of life. I tell HIM everything. I stare at HIM, thankful that HE's mine. And so life goes."
I love him. And he's my best friend. And we've been through hell and back. And we're still in love. Therefore, it will all be worth it.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Good things come to those who wait. Right?
I wasn't really sure what I should title this post. But then I'm not really sure what I'll end up saying either... though I do hope to keep it on the nice side...
You see, approximately 6 and a half years ago I told my family that I was engaged. I was thrilled. They were not. No one said a word, just stood by while they waited for what I'm sure they all expected to be a failure on my part. At the time, I was 17, about to turn 18. I was about to graduate from one of the top ten schools in the nation. I had been accepted to every university I had applied to and was already talking of moving a few hours away to school. I was the good girl, the "smart one", the one with the big future.
You see, approximately 6 and a half years ago I told my family that I was engaged. I was thrilled. They were not. No one said a word, just stood by while they waited for what I'm sure they all expected to be a failure on my part. At the time, I was 17, about to turn 18. I was about to graduate from one of the top ten schools in the nation. I had been accepted to every university I had applied to and was already talking of moving a few hours away to school. I was the good girl, the "smart one", the one with the big future.
But I did this crazy thing. I fell in love. Like, head over heels, without a doubt, this is it kind of crazy in love. And I never even questioned giving it all up for him. I knew I would still go to school eventually, and I knew I would still have big dreams. But for me, he was a part of those big dreams, and I couldn't walk away from that.
We were married a month after I graduated and turned 18. We moved to South Carolina with the Navy and I spent the next year being a step-mom and a wife, and loving it. Our little girl was born two months after I turned 20. I started school before she was even a month old. I found myself in school, with a newborn, and working as a retail manager... and still madly in love and loving my life. And still, (almost) everyone doubted me.
Through five moves, two babies, days of complete chaos and others of simplicity, I've never lost site of my own goals. And I am proud to say that today was my last day of my last class before completing my credit hours for my bachelors degree.
And so, to every person who looked down on me, questioned me, belittled me. To every family member who told me I would do nothing with my life, or looked at me with sadness in their eyes. To every in-law (not that I'm calling anyone out here) who told me I was using my husband and would never amount to anything on my own. To every person out there that doubted me, I have only one thing to say.
And so, to every person who looked down on me, questioned me, belittled me. To every family member who told me I would do nothing with my life, or looked at me with sadness in their eyes. To every in-law (not that I'm calling anyone out here) who told me I was using my husband and would never amount to anything on my own. To every person out there that doubted me, I have only one thing to say.
Bite. Me.
No, I didn't graduate from college when some of my high school friends did. No, I didn't do things in the order that you expected. But I wouldn't change that for the world.
No, I didn't graduate from college when some of my high school friends did. No, I didn't do things in the order that you expected. But I wouldn't change that for the world.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Family Thankful Tree
I may be skipping ahead a little here... but Fall also brings us Thanksgiving, and the responsibility of teaching out little ones what being thankful is all about. We started a tradition last year called The Thankful Tree.
This tree is approxiametly the height of Gator, who is four now, and I plan to make it grow with her as the years go on. We collected leaves, pressed them between clear contact paper, and used black Sharpie markers to finish the sentence "I am thankful for...". Each leaf also has the name of the thankful person and the year.
You can't read the leaves here, because of the glare, but we have some wonderful answers, and Gator loves when we sit and read each leaf. Last year we included are little family, Grandma, Papa, and a few aunts and uncles. This year our tree will grow as each person is asked to add a new leaf. I love that even family members that live far away can participate by sending their leaves or simply telling you what to write over the phone.
I love that this tree of ours is teaching our little ones that life is full of little things that we should be thankful for every day. And it reminds us each year just how much our little ones have changed. Last year, Gator requested two leaves. On one she wanted "Cars and Bugs". On the other she asked me to "just write Mommy". Papa was grateful for "Natalie", Grandma was grateful for "having her family close to her", and I was grateful for "having the oppurtunity to stay home with my babies". I can't wait to add leaves to our tree this year, in our new home, which of course, I will be thankful for.
Linking to:
Home and Family Friday,
This tree is approxiametly the height of Gator, who is four now, and I plan to make it grow with her as the years go on. We collected leaves, pressed them between clear contact paper, and used black Sharpie markers to finish the sentence "I am thankful for...". Each leaf also has the name of the thankful person and the year.
You can't read the leaves here, because of the glare, but we have some wonderful answers, and Gator loves when we sit and read each leaf. Last year we included are little family, Grandma, Papa, and a few aunts and uncles. This year our tree will grow as each person is asked to add a new leaf. I love that even family members that live far away can participate by sending their leaves or simply telling you what to write over the phone.
I love that this tree of ours is teaching our little ones that life is full of little things that we should be thankful for every day. And it reminds us each year just how much our little ones have changed. Last year, Gator requested two leaves. On one she wanted "Cars and Bugs". On the other she asked me to "just write Mommy". Papa was grateful for "Natalie", Grandma was grateful for "having her family close to her", and I was grateful for "having the oppurtunity to stay home with my babies". I can't wait to add leaves to our tree this year, in our new home, which of course, I will be thankful for.
Linking to:
Home and Family Friday,
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Hoo Are you #19 Link Party
1.What was your favorite meal growing up?
My mom's Chili. Growing up in Florida, there was really only a few cold months out of the year where we get to enjoy cold weather food, and I always waited for that first cold night when my mom would have a big pot of Chili cooking on the stove. My favorite nights were the ones that we would spend bundled up in the back yard around a fire, with big bowls of Chili warming our hands.
2. What's your favorite month?
Oh... that's a hard one! I think I'm going to have to go with October. The beginning of the holiday season, tights, sweaters, and Halloween! :)
3. What store is most represented in your wardrobe?
Probably American Eagle... pretty much all of my pants are from there... just because they actually fit me!!
4. How many times do you go to the movie theater each month/year?
Almost never. I went last... err... June? Before that I hadn't been since I was pregnant with Gator... who is four now, by the way. ;.I use to go to the movies pretty regularly... and then I had babies. Maybe one day...
5. Fill in the blank- I've never been able to ___________________
Whistle! Weird, I know, but I really can't.
My mom's Chili. Growing up in Florida, there was really only a few cold months out of the year where we get to enjoy cold weather food, and I always waited for that first cold night when my mom would have a big pot of Chili cooking on the stove. My favorite nights were the ones that we would spend bundled up in the back yard around a fire, with big bowls of Chili warming our hands.
2. What's your favorite month?
Oh... that's a hard one! I think I'm going to have to go with October. The beginning of the holiday season, tights, sweaters, and Halloween! :)
3. What store is most represented in your wardrobe?
Probably American Eagle... pretty much all of my pants are from there... just because they actually fit me!!
4. How many times do you go to the movie theater each month/year?
Almost never. I went last... err... June? Before that I hadn't been since I was pregnant with Gator... who is four now, by the way. ;.I use to go to the movies pretty regularly... and then I had babies. Maybe one day...
5. Fill in the blank- I've never been able to ___________________
Whistle! Weird, I know, but I really can't.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Hand Print Magnets
Well, if you've looked at my blog AT ALL before now, you may have noticed that I'm... well... shall we say... OBSESSED with my little ones tiny hands?! And feet. I am, I know, it's an odd addiction. But they are growing so quickly, and I just love having so many little reminders of those tiny fingers and toes! So here is another hand print project!
Gator is always making something wonderful for us to display on our refrigerator door, so I felt that she needed her own special magnets!
These took maybe 30 minutes to make, including drying time for the paint. Super simple, which is important for me lately, because we've been crazy busy!
Gator is always making something wonderful for us to display on our refrigerator door, so I felt that she needed her own special magnets!
These took maybe 30 minutes to make, including drying time for the paint. Super simple, which is important for me lately, because we've been crazy busy!
We painted Gators hands with white craft paint, and stamped them both on to blue card stock paper. After the paint dried, I wrote on her name on the left hand and "work" on the right with black Sharpie marker.
I then cut out each hand print, and glued a square of magnet on the back of each hand.
Gator loves having her own special magnets. They are always in use at our house, and a set is always being used at Grandma and Papa's as well!
Looking for a cheap and easy (but meaningful) gift for grandparents living far away?? Why not send them a set of hand print magnets with a cute letter telling them that these hands will be used to hold the items they receive in their "Art of the Month" club!! Each month, have your little one(s) draw, color, glue, etc something special just for them, and send it off! They will love having something so special each month, and you will love how easy it is to stay connected and let them know they are thought of! Include a monthly picture for added smiles!
Linking up to:Whatever Goes Wednesday, Hoo's Got Talent, It's So Stinkin Cute Thursday, Home and Family Friday
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