A sick toddler or a sick husband....what is worse?

For the past two weeks, my toddler (like many others I'm sure) has had a drippy nose.  Be it the 2 year molars that are still fighting their way through her poor sore gums or a cold....my little, cute-faced kid constantly has dry, crusted snot on her face.  :(  And yes....she picks at it (ooops...did I just write that.)  The worst part is when I pull her hand away from her nose, she then thinks its a game and shoves that little finger of hers even  FURTHER up her nose, giggling the whole time.  Oh....and watch out because if you are not paying attention....that cute little kid will hold her finger to you and say "boo-boo" and after you kiss it....she sticks it right back in her nose.  Yep...she just tricked you into eating her buggers.  GROSS!!!!  (yet I do laugh hysterically when she does it to her grandparents)

Having a sick toddler is tough.  It's very hard to judge how they are feeling and when they don't have a full range of speech yet...it's hard for them to tell you what's wrong.  I have to say...Isabella has been a trooper through this and has rarely complained, which I am very grateful for.  I've had to get up almost every night with her just because she wants to snuggle.  I'm at work everyday...but that's fine.  This is a stage and I'm going to enjoy the snuggling while it lasts.

Well....along with having a sick toddler, I have a sick husband.  My hubby spontaneously took me out to Bone Fish Grill on Tuesday night.  It was awesome.  We had a marvelous time just the two of us.  Well...that night the cold hit him.  The poor guy was asleep for maybe 30 minutes and then he just couldn't sleep.  He finally went downstairs at 2am and started watching movies.  At 4am, our daughter needed a little snuggling..so he came upstairs and took her from me since he was already up.  Poor guy ended up pulling an all nighter and still managed to go to work and work a full 10 hour day.

That following night...he slept fine.  Although the poor guy is so stuffed up..that he snored ALL. NIGHT. LONG!!!  You know what that means...yep..no sleep for me.  Ugh....then last night...again...he couldn't sleep.  I got up at 3am to answer Isabella's screams and again..he was gone and the downstairs light was on.

So...I don't know what's worse.  Feeling bad for my child or feeling bad for my husband.  My husband never complains and just carry's on like normal.  Poor guy.

Here's to hoping that the colds are gone before Christmas....and that I don't get it.

Christmas cards or Holiday cards....

Well....I'm a little behind on my Christmas cards this year.  No...I did not have a holiday photo shoot...but I did take an adorable picture of Isabella at Thanksgiving...so score!!!  Since I heard about the free christmas cards on Shutterfly, (which can be found here)...I figured that it would be a great time to get moving on them.

Last year was the first time that I used photo cards for my christmas cards.  It was so nice for everyone to see our growing family.  This year...just Isabella will be on the card, but for those people who don't get to see her everyday....it will be a wonderful surprise for them to see how much she has changed.  This is a tradition that was started and I don't think I want it to end.  I just can't decided....do I pick a "Merry Christmas" card or a "Happy Holidays" card.  My favorite cards are the ones that are simple.  The reason behind that being that since I get so many wonderful cards every year...I like to keep them on my fridge so that I can see all my friends beautiful faces throughout the entire year. 

So far...I have these three picked out.

One

Two

and Three

So....now I just have to make the decision.  Either way....I'm sure they will be perfect!

A morning of drama....all thanks to the iphone facebook app

My morning routine goes like this.......the alarm goes off, I grab my phone and check the weather and then check my emails (which are usually junk) and then check facebook. It’s my “get your rear up” routine. Then…since I am now fully awake…I read my bible and then get in the shower.

Well…this morning..I started said routine and when I got to Facebook…I read a note that a friend had posted about how she is in the hospital in need of a kidney transplant or she will die in 10-14 days. You can imagine the shock that I felt as I sat there, reading it several times over…looking for where she stated this was about someone else. I couldn’t find it and called Phil, crying hysterically.

When I got to mom’s….she knew nothing about it…but said to text message one of our pastors. So I did saying “Just read (insert name) facebook. Does she really need a kidney transplant?” No answer.

When I got to work…I tried calling her sister to get some answers….but alas...she didn't answer her phone. At this point…I’m pretty frustrated and VERY upset…still trying to hold back the tears (which was not working well.)
Finally, I got on the actual computer to re-read the post again…thinking I HAD to miss something. Sure enough…the computer showed that she posted someone else’s note in hopes that she would be able to help another mother. My friend is NOT dying and is OK.

So…I had to text the pastor again…who wrote back (who I'm sure thinks I'm insane) "Glad you figured it out before I called her." I also called said friend and left her a message telling her what happened in case she gets similar reactions from other people. Apparently…the app on the phone doesn’t read the same way as the internet and BOY OH BOY did it cause an uproar with me!

So…I now HATE facebook (although will still be the sucker who continues to use it to see other people’s pictures) and am in desperate need of a nap because I’m getting everyone’s cold now and I’m just drained from crying.

The sad part is…there is a woman out there who is dying….who has two small children and a husband…and I just pray God gives her someone who can help her.  If I had her blood type...I would.


The end.

Just a sip.....but it's a start.

Four years ago...I entered into the area of youth ministry.  Children have always been a passion of mine and when I met my husband, we just knew that's where God was leading us.  My husband has an amazing gift with kids.  He just knows how to reach them on their level.  I on the other hand do not....but I have the organizational skills that he lacks, so between the two of us, we make a pretty decent team (although far from perfect.)

We started working with a team of two other couples, with Phil and I as the lead for the Junior High age.  I look back on those days and smile because God really used all of our gifts and talents in such an awesome way.  It was such a joy to work with the two other couples.  When we didn't know what to do with a situation, we always knew we could lean on each other.  There was a sense of security in numbers, and it was nice.

But...for various reasons, over the course of three years, the other couples resigned.  They did what was best for their families and I hold a high amount of respect for the decison that they made because I know it was hard to make.  Unfortunatley, when the last couple left about a year and half ago, it left Phil and I to not only lead the Junior High, but to take on the entire group.

We did so willingly because of the love we have for youth, never stopping to examine the effect it would have on our daughter, our marriage or our spiritual growth.  Honestly, since there was no one else, we really didn't feel like we had a choice.  We just went with it and thought we would figure it out along the way.

Over the past few weeks, I will openly say that I have not been happy.  I have been in a constant state of sadness and it took me until recently to figure out why.  I'm dry....I'm thirsty....and I'm not being filled.  I physcially have not sat in a church service for about a year and a half because I am always down teaching the kids.  I have poured out everything I have to give without having a source to replenish me.  My husband has done the same.

This week, a special speaker was at church, and I didn't want to miss her. So...since my husband and I were once again on for teaching, we cancelled the class and had the kids stay in the service.  And let me just say that I'm so glad we did.  The message was for us. I don't think we ever took our eyes off the speaker.  She didn't once loose us.  We soaked up all she had to give and afterwards, my husband took me by the hand and had her pray for us and she confirmed a lot of what we were feeling.

So this week, I've started new.  I have a drop of water in my well...and I'm not feeling so dry.  I rise early to spend time with God before my day starts.  I may not understand what I am reading all the time, but slowly through the day, God shows me different things.  Just in two days, I've become less bitter, less dependent on what others think of me and more dependent on God and his opinion of me.  I've learned that we can't change people...no matter how hard we try and we shouldn't just sit there and expect them to change because that will bring nothing but disappointment.  But God is the same, yesterday, today and forever! I've also learned that God created us to make each other happy, but we can't make each other happy if we are not making God happy.

Today...I sit here knowing I am loved by God.  He is holding me in the shadow of his wing, guiding me and protecting me.  His hand has been on my little family over the past few years even in the times when I thought He was gone.

Today...I won't just sit and wait.....but like Martha...I will run to meet with Him.  For I know the plans He has for me...plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. 

In Him...I find my rest.

Isabella's Birth Story....better late then never right?

My daughter, Isabella, turned 21 months this week.  Wow...I really don't think I had a full appreciation for time until I had my daughter.  It doesn't just go by fast....it FLIES!!!  Anyways....as I sit her with my terrible two year old, I'd like to take some time to reflect on her birth.  Mainly...because I know that eventually I will forget some details and don't really want to.

So...without further adue...her story.

Five months into our marriage, my husband and I decided it was time to start our family.  Most couples get a dog at this point...but we decided to go for the baby.  My husband and I both enjoy children and in fact, it's the one passion that we both share.  So..for us..it made sense.

It didn't take long to conceive our daughter...I think it was about 3 months.  During that time, my husband would pray over us and one night I distinctly remember him praying "Lord...please let us have a baby.  And can it be a girl?"  That month we conceived...and were completely overjoyed. 

My pregnancy was really easy.  I had the usual aches and pains, but overall, the morning sickness wasn't too bad (or I just got used to it) and my doctors were very happy.  We found out at 20 weeks that we were indeed having a girl.  I couldn't be happier and remember thanking God for honoring our prayers.

My due date came and went and by that point, like most other pregnant women, I was miserable.  I could no longer fit behind the steering wheel of my car, therefore I was stuck in my house.  I was no longer able to go to work to pass the time.  I wasn't able to get out by myself...so my wonderful dad would pick me up and take me out places so I could just walk and not be alone.

On February 6, 2009 I was at my sisters and was having some pretty good contractions.  So..my brother-in-law made me go to the hospital just to see how things were going.  Now...to give you a little background, I had a brother that was born on February 6, 1982, however due to some health issues, he didn't make it and passed away on February 8, 1982. So..on my drive to the hospital, with my sister and husband...I just didn't know if I could have the baby on his birthday.  It was just too hard.  Turns out...I was sent home.  Phew!!!  I was however, in the beginning stages of labor.

The next day...my mom and I walked...and walked...and walked some more.  We shopped at Kohls and as I leaned over the counter with contractions, the cashier said "are you ok" and I said "yes..I'm ready for this baby to come out!"  She smiled and said good luck.

That night, I remember having contractions and I would sleep in between them, but then at 4am on February 8, 2009 I had a contraction that I just couldn't sleep through and when I sat up to wake my husband up, my water broke.  I literally hit my husband and said "GET UP! I"M IN LABOR" as I grabbed a towel (conveniently next to my bed) in order to avoid getting the carpet wet.  This was it!! She was coming!!!

We started on our way to the hospital and on the way I realized the date.  It was February 8, 2009...the 27th anniversary of my brother's death.  I remember crying talking with God in the car saying "Lord...I can't do this...not on this day.  It's just too hard" as I had contraction after contraction about 1 minute apart.  But ever so faithfully, clear as day I heard "I'm turning this day into a happy day.  It will no longer be a day of sadness."  And that was all I needed to hear.

Five hours later I got my epidural.  I can honestly say I don't remember what the contractions felt like, but I know they hurt.  I remember leaning on my husbands shoulder trying to breath through them.  In addition, I was just too tired from being up so early.  So, about 1 minute after getting my epidural...I was asleep and slept for hours off and on.  At 10:00 pm, I felt pressure and it turns out I was ready to push.  This was it!  After 18 hours...I was ready to bring this little baby into the world.  I think it was about 10 good pushes and at 10:25pm Isabella Grace Moses was born.  7lbs 20 1/4 inches long.  She looked JUST like her mommy.  My little girl was here and she was perfect.

Then.....the day we brought her home.

To this day...I still look at my daugher and cry.  It amazes me that God trusts me to raise this wonderful child.  She is my life, my everything.  And yes...we have our challenges (like crawling out of cribs) but challenge is good, because its the challenges that make us grow.  It's the challenges that make us trust and lean on God.

Now....such a big girl.

So thank you Lord for the daughter that you have given me.  May I become the mother that you intended to give to this child.  Help me guide her in your ways.  May she never turn from you, even for one minute.

3 Years and Counting....

Three years ago today was one of the happiest days of my life because not only was I getting married, but I was marrying my best friend. 

Recently, I've been trying to find the definition of a friend.  As the dictonary defines, a friend is 1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.  2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.  3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.  4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement.  According to this definition, I could say that I have a lot of "friends."  For me a friend is there for you no matter what.  They tell you things that you don't necessarily want to hear, but know that it will benefit you.  A friend makes sure you are doing okay.  A friend lifts you up at all times.  A friend thinks of you before thinking of themself.  A friend can be trusted, and doesn't do anything to break that trust.  A friend cares...and shows it.

So, after three years I can honestly say that not only do I wake up to an amazing man every morning....but I wake up to the one person in my life that will love me for me.  That will stick things out through good times and bad.  The one person that will never just give up on me and let our relationship fade.  I wake up to the one person that  I know I can always count on.

Phil, words  will never be able to describe the way I feel about you.  I cherish every moment we have together.  You are my perfect match.  Thank you for protecting me, providing for me and praying for me.  But most importantly, thank you for loving me.  You had my heart from the moment we laid eyes on each other, and you will have my heart forever.  I love you!

Our Love Story....part three

If you didn't read the last two posts, you can find them here and here.

So...when Phil asked me out...I have to say that I freaked.  Remember...I just had that crazy screaming match at God in my car.  So...I did the only thing I could think of.  I called my friend Isaac.  You see....Phil thought it may be cool to ride my 4wheelers but I didn't want to be alone with him...so I called on Isaac.  Unfortunately, Isaac was not available...so guess what I did.  Yeppers....I turned Phil down.  I think he was a bit shocked...but I wasn't willing to sacrifice my beliefs again.

About a week later, I found out that Phil had given his life to the Lord the night before he asked me out.  All I could do was laugh because God had done what I asked...I just didn't know it.

So...as time went on, Phil persisted and we finally started dating.  He asked my dad's permission and through out entire relationship, he respected my parents authority over me.  Phil would have monthly meetings with my dad just to talk about where he was spiritually and what his intensions were with me.

About a year into our relationship, Phil and I went to Marsh Creek (a beautiful lake in our area) for lunch. This was something we would do often.  We went for a walk and while we were walking, I realized I didn't put any jewelry on.  I was bummed because we had a graduation party to go to and I felt completely naked (you girls know that feeling.)  Well...we stopped at an opening just to take in the scenary.  It was beautiful!!!  The sky was the perfect shade of blue and the sun was shining.  It literally was a perfect day in June.  Next thing I know...I hear Phil say "It's funny that you forgot to put your jewelry on today, because I happen to have something for you."  It was at that instant, I knew he was proposing.  I got so emotional and started crying because I couldn't believe it was happening.  I leaned on his shoulder and with his arms around me he said "Will you marry me?"  I of course said yes and he put the BEAUTIFUL ring on my finger. I couldn't believe it...I was finally engaged to the man that I have loved from day one.  The one that I know, without doubt, is my perfect match.

Our Love Story...part two.

In case you didn't get the first part, you can read it here.

I was very active in my church youth group when I was younger.  The friends that I bonded with during those times are still the same friends I have today.  Unfortunatley, some things that were said as "kids" get carried with you for the rest of your life.

It was the second week that Phil came to the bible study.  Again, I had dance class, but this time, I made sure I looked a little more put together when I came home.  (yes.....I made sure my makeup was fresh, I admit it.)  Phil had come to bible study from class so he was riding his motorcycle, which I found to be extremely attractive.  The only problem with this situation was that I knew Phil had not given his life to the Lord.  Because of this, I kept my distance and tried very hard to hide the fact that I was liking him more and more each week.

One weekend, we all got together.  We had a fun day barbequing at a friends house and we all decided to go see the Ice Age movie.  (I think it was the first one)  I remember driving in my car with two friends to the theatre and one of them said, "So, who do you think Phil likes?"  We all decided it was the girl who brought him to the study.  In my head I knew it was me, but seriously, who sits there and says "you are wrong...he's all about me!"  Um...can we say conceded?  Plus.....some hurtful things were said about me during those youth group days which killed my self-confidence even as an adult.   (and yes....I still battle things even today)  So....I went along with the prediction that was made and tried very hard not to think of things.

By the end of the night, we were all saying good bye and it came time for me to say good bye to Phil.  He reached down and gave me a hug and I knew by the way he held me and by the way he looked at me that he wanted more than a friendship. 

I had to take a few friends home that night and after they got out of the car and I was driving home, I remember screaming at the top of my lungs at God.  (yes...crazy person I know....Thankfully it was 1am and there weren't too many people on the road to witness it)  I told God that I didn't even want Phil to think about asking me out on a date until he had given his life to the Lord.  I remember screaming "I won't go down that road again.  I won't get hurt like that again.  I'm happy just the way that I am.  Please don't let him ask me out until he has given his life to you!"  I remember crying because I didn't want my life to fall apart again.

The following day....he asked me out.

Our Love Story....part one

As my anniversary draws closer, I wanted to take some time and relfect on our story.  So many times we are asked how we met and we give a very simple answer, but neglect to give God the true glory of it all.  So...here is the start of it all.

I had given up.  I was tired of meeting the "bad" boys at college.  You know....the ones who just get you into trouble....who do not have the same beliefs as you.....who pretty much just drive you down.  So..I decided, enough was enough.  I wasn't going to date anyone unless we were equally yoked.  I had talked to my parents and asked if they would start praying for me to meet my future husband.  At the same time, I started praying.  Little did  I know, that we were all praying that my future husband would walk in the door to my house.

A few months went by and I had started a dance class with a friend.  It happened to be on the same night that my parents hosted a young adults bible study.  All of the friends I grew up with attended the bible study, so I would make sure I came home in time to see all of them.  Although I missed the study, I really enjoyed catching up with them afterwards.

One night, one of those dear friends decided to bring a guest.  So, when I walked in the door and turned the corner, there he was.  I knew instantly that it was him.  Here I was standing in front of Phil, my future husband, in my sweat pants with my hair tied back in a sweaty pony tail and my eyes black from the smudged mascara I had put on at 6am.  Wow....what an impression right?  He stared at me for a few moments and then said, "I know you from somewhere."

Years back...when I was about 16 or so, a bunch of friends and I got into rock climbing big time.  We were at the rock gym several times a week and Phil happened to run the gym at the time.  I remembered him from the gym so in response I said "Vertical Extreme."  He said "no...somewhere else" to which my friend chimed in and said "she went to Downingtown High School."  And that was it.  He remembered seeing me walking through the halls at school 4-5 years earlier.

He shook my hand saying "nice to meet you" thinking to himself...this is her.

to be continued......

Some watch football....others go fishing.

To some families, the start of fall means one thing........the start of football season.  The parties begin and through the cracked windows in many homes you can hear the E.A.G.L.E.S. EAGLES!!!! chant as you drive through the neighborhood.  But, does the start of fall mean football for my family?  NOPE!  Instead, fall strikes the start of fishing season.  Or should I say, the start of insanity?

My husband is a fisherman.  At times, I may even say that he is a bit obsessed.  He eats, sleeps and breathes fishing. At least one of our conversations per day, deals with fishing.  Yes....it's rather annoying to me, buuuttttt....it makes him happy.

So, this weekend, to prepare for the BEST Stripped Bass fishing season yet, my husband and I traveled to our much loved Brigintine, NJ to rent a house.  Yes, that's right...we have rented a house just so he can go fishing.  For the next month, I will rarely see my husband during weekends and will be tending to our adorable 20 month old daughter alone....but hey...again, it makes him happy right?

Oh...and I would just like to say that I'm an awesome wife because I went on this house hunt being very sick and with no voice what-so-ever! I would have rather been in bed.....but I knew how important this was to him.  I think he gets a sense of pride being able to bring home food for the freezer. :)

In addition, he has entered the Stripper Derby.  So...basically, everytime he gets a fish he has to take it to the bait shop and weigh it in.  After the Derby ends, they total up all of your fish and you get a total weight for the season.  If you have the highest number, you win like $2,000. 

So....here's to renting a house for a month in hopes that hubby will have a good season!

Thankful for the little things.....

This week has been kind of crazy...and it's only Wednesday.  A few weeks back, my parents loaned out their brand new (well..used but new to them) Honda Pilot.  My parents take EXTREMELY good car of the vehicles, however doesn't it figure that the person opened the rear, driver side door into a tree.  Yes, I said TREE!  So...off to the body shop then went to find out that it would cost $800 to fix it and on top of that, my mom would be out of a car for a week.  Now..if I were out of a car for a week...it would give me an excuse to clean things up around the house, but since my parents live  in an absolutely spotless house...my mother would loose her mind.  In addition, she watches my daughter and my niece while my sister and I work full time so being stuck in the house with two rammy toddlers would be a nightmare.  So...my hubby and I decided to loan my mom my car for the week.  I'm currently driving my husbands truck while he drives his motorcycle.  Unfortunatley, he is unable to help pick up our daughter after work (since she obviously can't go on the back of a motorcycle) so I've been left to do the running around.  Granted, I don't mind, but when I'm running late from work and I have to pick her up and then rush home to get dinner done by a decent time...it's stressful to say the least, especially after a long day at the office.

All of that being said...I have to say that my husband has been AMAZING this week!  On Monday I came home to find him cooking in the kitchen.  I tried to help but he said.."no, you just go relax and spend some time with Bella."  Whoa!!  That almost never happens.  I'm usually the one in the kitchen cooking dinner while he sits and unwinds from his day.  Then yesterday, I got caught at work for an extra 45 minutes and I came home to dinner just about on the table, the trash had been collected through the entire house and was already out to the curb, some old branches that came down during a storm were out at the curb as well.  Then he says to me "Why don't you get out of your work clothes and get comfortable."  Who is this wonderful man?  I mean....I know that my husband had this side to him, but sometimes we just get so carried away with the things around us that we forget to do nice things for each other.

So...since I was feeling so relaxed and stress-free, my husband and I quickly bathed our daughter together  and took a family outing to his soccer game.  You see, Phil loves when I bring her to the games, but most of the time, there is just too much stuff to do so I don't go.  But...since he was being so helpful, I was able to go to his game and watch him play. 

The point in this long story is to say that I am so thankful for a wonderful husband who, without asking, makes dinner for his family and gets the chores done quickly so we can have time together as a family.  I'm thankful for a husband who takes the time to put his family first and let us know how important we are to him.  I'm thankful for feeling loved and taken care of. 

I'm so thankful for the little things that make life so much better.

And so the sewing begins.......

A few months back, well about 4 to be exact, I decided to start sewing.  My mother has sewed for as long as I can remember, so growing up, I would make a little something here and a little something there.  I always admired her gift, but never thought I would take on the art itself.  Well, now that I have a child of my own, I'm realizing how much cheaper it is to make these things yourself then buy them in the store.  In addition, my wonderful sister is due to have her second child (a boy) in January, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to start sewing simple little things.

So....off to Joanne's I went.  I bought my very first sewing machine with the help of my mommy of course.

My first project was this little stuffed animal holder that attaches to a crib.  I didn't really like it, but considering it was the first project I did on my own...I didn't think I did such a bad job.

Then....I started sewing a new diaper bag for my sister (pictures will come when it's finished.)  It seems I like to work on several projects at once...so part way through the diaper bag project, I decided to make something for my daughter Isabella. About 15 years ago, my dad had bought me a little bunny that sat in a wicker chair.  It was just something special that he had hand made for me.  He even took the time to make sure the fabric used for the bunny's dress matched my bedroom.  Well...now that the bunny has been passed down to my daughter, it needed a new dress. 

So....I sewed this..

Front

Back

I have to say...I was pretty proud of myself with this one.  I didn't have a pattern and it was the first time I had to sew buttons.  Granted...is it the best sewing job in the world....no.  But...does my daughter love it and carry it around the house.  You bet!

So....here's to the start of a very relaxing hobby for me.

A Night with Friends

My husband and I had the wonderful opportunity to get together with some friends on Saturday night.  During the first year of college, I became friends with and amazing girl named Christie.  Our friendship was instant and it was as if we had been friends for years.  I know without a doubt that God sent her to me.  I was going through a hard time and she was always there to lift me up.

Through the years, Christie and I have enjoyed some life changing experiences together.  For spring break one year, I took her on her first plane trip to Florida.  (yes...we went to Disney World and loved every second of it.) Then, after graduation, we headed off to the beautiful country of Ireland.  We sat on a bus with a bunch of old people tour group and traveled around the whole country. It was beautiful!!!

Since then, we've cried at each other's weddings and rejoiced in the birth of each other's children.  (we decided to have an arranged marriage with her son, Matthew and my daughter, Isabella)  Everytime we get together, we realize that our husbands are clones of each other.  We have the type of friendship that no matter where we are...we will always be there for one another. 

Well (now that you have some background on our friendship) Saturday was the first time Christie, Meng and Matthew were able to come to our house.  I became a cleaning freak of nature!!  Suddenly, my house just wasn't good enough.  My husband had to clean off our patio...then I made him clean off our counters.  Sadly, I did not treat him with the respect he deserves as my husband.  (He graciously proclaimed me as temporarily insane and forgave me)  I made him take things up to the attic....and contimplated asking him to clean the attic.  HELLO CRAZY WOMAN! (I blame this cleaning insanity on my dad...)

Anyways, with the house a mess cleaner, my friends came over and we had a lovely night.  Christie and I talked babies...while Meng and Phil talked hobbies.  (I think they secretly made plans to go shooting)

So...although there are some friends that I am much closer to, I cherish my time with Christie and her family.  It's a friendship that I am grateful for and know will last a lifetime.

I'm back!

Let me start this off by saying that I'm sorry I haven't been a very good blogger.  In fact...you could say that I haven't been a blogger at all and that's a very fair statement.  Truthfully...I always had a hard time figuring out what to write about so eventually, I just stopped.  Never the less, I'm going to give it a second go around.

So...what better way to enter the blogging world (again) but to tell you a little about me.  You know...all those things that make me...well me.

1.  I am a very punctual person.  I can not STAND being late for anything.  In all seriousness, when I think I'm going to be late for something, my heart starts pounding and I literally start panicing.  I just hate it.

2.  I love being a mommy!  I think it's the hardest yet most satisfying job in the world.  My daughter, has truly completed who I am as a person.

3. I am horrible....I mean HORRIBLE at fashion.  I mean seriously...I have contimplated paying a friend to do my shopping and dress me.  It's just bad.

4.  I am compassionate.  So much so that I think I have to fix everyone's problems and carry the weight of the world on my shoulder.  My mom always says "don't pick it up" because that's what I do.  I take other people's problems and make them my own to try to fix things.  The hardest part is knowing that I can't.

5.  I'm an open book.  I have no secrets.  I don't think any question is too personal because frankly, I have nothing to hide.  I have no regrets in life.

6.  I love working with the youth at church.  Yes...its very tiring and trying at times, but truth is...those kids heal every wound in my heart with just one look.  The love they  pour out on me and my little family is just amazing.

7.  I love my job.  Yes...there are times when I wish I was a stay at home mom and wish that I could get together with girlfriends all day long or go to mommy and me classes (which I do miss but I'll write on that later.)  But truth is...my job allows us to have a good house and pretty much anything that we want (within reason of course) and for that, I will always be grateful.

8.  I am a strong woman.  I didn't have the easiest childhood, but everything I went through made me a very strong and determined person.  I'll never forget someone telling my husband when we started dating..."who ever marrys that girl better be a strong man, because she is one strong woman."  But...my strength is always found in Christ and with him I know I'll get through anything.

9.  My husband is my life.  I can't even think about life without him.  He supports me in all things and trys his hardest to protect me from getting hurt.  I have never doubted for one minute that we were made for each other.

10.  I love writing!  I used to write short stories and maybe one day, I'll start again.  But for now...we'll stick with blogging.

Well...there you have it.  Just a little peek at who I am (didn't want to make this blog too boring.)  I hope you enjoyed and I'm looking forward to sharing some more.

Until next time........

Valentine Swap!!!

My lovely Valentine from Tammy!

Thanks so much! I am enjoying it!!