My real life as a mommy

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Things that make me smile....

1. Watching my sweet 2 year-old singing and dancing to praise songs.

2. A cup of hot chocolate and little bit of coffee mixed together.

3. A delicious bottle of sweet wine.

4. A love note from my husband.

5. A great page turning novel.

6. Rocking my babies to sleep.

7. Praying with my husband.

8. Laughing really hard with good friends.

9. Looking at my wedding pictures.

10. Getting a good bargain.

11. Shopping at Publix on Capital Circle.

12. When I get dinner cleaned up and I get to spend an hour with my kids before they go to bed.

13. Rain pattering on the roof, as I sleep in.

14. Cuddling under the covers when it is really cold outside.

15. A movie that is absolutely hilarious, I just have to be in a good mood after it.

16. A good quote.

17. Writing, journaling,

18. A change in season

19. Going on a date with my husband and eating AMAZING food...Bonefish

20. A hot sweet potato, because it taste good and it has lots of fiber

21. TCBY

I just wanted to reflect on the little things that I love so much in life. I want to learn to treasure each day. This is my new year plan. I never make a "NEW YEAR" plan. However, this is more like a life plan. A mind set change. I want to understand that if the laundry doesn't get done that it is okay...that my family and relationships are more important when the day is done. So that is my prayer everyday to see God in all of the small things. The small little kisses on earth that I receive from Him daily.

Friday, January 2, 2009

a night away

Michael's dad took him on a night trip camping. It was weird being without him. It made me appreciate him more and know how much I really do love him and need him. But I did get to spend some girl time with my sister in-laws and that was extremely fun and a blessing to get to know them more. Even a short absence can make the heart grow fonder.

all our children

Elyse has 9 baby dolls now. She has a name for each one of them. She puts diapers on them and feeds them. She is an amazing mom. She has a system just like her mommy. It is so cute to watch her do this. She keeps track of them all very well. These are all of the children.
SuLu, McKenzie, Ariel, Danielle, Jackie, Clintonia, Ebony, Sarah, and Ashley Anne

high of 75 on a beautiful december day

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

life after the ball

Through our marriage counseling we were taught to think beyond the wedding day. The wedding took so much planning but the life that is led after it is so much more important. We had an amazing one week honeymoon in North Carolina. It was the weirdest thing: no children,
no agenda, no mess to clean up, no alarm clock or children to wake us up. However, the week feels so short in retrospect. We came home to a week of work and two children that are needy, dependent, yet trying to be independent, and want your attention at all times. Every night I had my routine to do: laundry,cook, clean up, make lunches, give baths, read a book, pray and go to bed. In the middle of all that I tried to fit in some time to sit with the children and play. I feel so overwhelmed by the tasks of everyday life that I feel like I don't spend time with my family. I was so burdened by that. I always have been. By the time the children were in bed, I finally looked at Michael and thought, wow! I haven't even talked to you all day. Then we would get ready for bed and do anything that needed to be done and by that time I am ready for bed. So as newly weds we are experiencing the life that others might experience 2 or even 5 years down the road. I am envious of young couples that I see without children that get to date....just even go out to dinner whenever they want. I am so sad that I didn't get that experience. But I have to trust that God is going to work it out and that He will bless our life together. That He will allow Michael and I the time we need to get to know each other better and to be intentional about making that time. So this is my life. It is messy, it is unpredictable, and tiresome. I don't know that I even sit down anymore just to relax. It is not the fairy tale that my wedding day was. On most days I don't feel like Cinderella at the ball but the Cinderella that worked, and worked hard. I clean floors, I get told what to do by two year olds, i need this, i need that. But as I reflect on the childhood story, the Cinderella at the ball and in the fairy tale is just a dream...the fantasy always ends, the clock always strikes midnight. It did for Cinderella and it does for us. Life is really lived and lived best in reality, in the rags and the hard work. For that is where our true character is found. That is where our faith is tested. That is where God meets us and changes our broken heart. This where I find GRACE. If I was still seeking and living in my fairy tale...I would of never learned about God's goodness and about my need for Him. So as a whole picture....I love my life. I love my husband and I love my children. And everyday I am learning how to live in the rags and enjoy life after the ball.

Monday, December 29, 2008

gingerbread houses, santa, and christmas sweet lovin'

It does get cold in Florida sometimes...

brother and sister

wow, we actually got a picture of all of us

Lele (Hunter made this name up) and her new baby McKenzie

Hunter and his new truck

Leasey loves her Naw-Naw

Yummy, the smell of gingerbread cookies

our family gingerbread house

I was so excited about Christmas this year. It was the weirdest feeling of being the adult though. I felt like I was living out my life as a child again. I loved Christmas as a child. I couldn't really sleep the night before. This Christmas was the same. I couldn't wait for Elyse and Hunter to get up and see all of their presents from Santa and mommy and daddy. I dreamed about the excitement all night. We had a great week that week. We spent time with my mom, michael's parents, and then my dad and lori's on Christmas day. I am sad the break it almost over.

burgundy, brown, gold, and leopard... It is all in the details!

I loved all of the small details of the wedding. I wanted to give props to all of the lovely people who helped us have such a glorious day. The pictures helped me to go back and see the things I didn't get to see on that day due to the overwhelming pace of the day. It was gorgeous in my opinion.

Our Wedding Party and sweet friends....
Thank you for all of your dedication and love to us.
We are so glad you could all celebrate in our special day.

Thanks Ed for counseling us and sticking with us for so long. You truly earned the right to marry us. You have helped us sort out so much. You have helped us to learn the meaning of really loving each other and forgiving each other as Christ has forgiven us. Thank you for all you have done.

Our parents. Thank you for standing beside us through it ALL. You are why we made it to this day and will continue to make it. WE love you and are so glad you helped make the day possible.

The yummy food. We enjoyed our wedding snacks even after the wedding....the chicken salad was amazing!!!! Carita did a wonderful job and has an amazing heart.

This picture was taken by Meagan Van Ost and I think it is so precious. The congregation stretched their hands to us on the last prayer for a blessing. I am so thankful for all of the people that came to support us and encourage us. I am so thankful for the people in the ceremony and for our families that put so much time, money, and energy into making this day fairy tale perfect.

My gown that matched the southern flare of Bradley's Pond

The music was amazing and the musicians are so talented. It totally added to the greatness of the day.

The sparklers at the end were a picture perfect way to leave the reception

We had a stunning photographer. His company is called Lewis Johnson Photography. I highly recommend him. He caught all of the important moments on camera. He went above and beyond our expectations. He was worth every penny.

Check him out at lejphotography.com