You Know You're a Mom When...

You have little or no regard to when, what, or from what position you eat

You find yourself reading "Cookie's Book of Numbers" for the 578th time at 5:45 in the morning

Taking a bath is always accompanied by a dwarf sized person clawing the side of the tub crying until you put them in with you

You cringe when an unexpected stretch of silence occurs
You spend your last few bucks to buy your child the 14th pair of shoes when you desperately need new undergarments

Your foot, leg, or arm is constantly creating a temporary barrier to prevent said child from climbing, grabbing, or yanking whatever project you are working on

When planning an outing, you need 30 minutes of prep to throw together the bag of assundry items that could possibly be needed during the process of the outing

your purse IS your diaper bag

You have quads of steel since you stoop up and down all day picking up something off the floor that a. is a choking hazard or b. you just stabbed your foot with

and finally...

You Know You're a Mom When...

your heart grows 10 sizes bigger each day to make room for the love you have for a pint-sized diaper-clad ball of pure delight.

Every Once in a While

It seems like songs these days all sound the same. But, every once in a while, you hear one that has a different rhythm, style, or melody line...and that's how the song "All of Creation" by MercyMe got stuck in my head when I heard it for the first time last week.

The lyrics are so powerful and I can't wait for it to be released so I can play it over and over again and not have to just wait for it to be played on XM.

Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all

Captivated but no longer bound by chains
left at an empty grave
the sinner and the sacred resolved

and all of creation sing with me now
lift up your voice and lay your burden down
and all of creation sing with me now
fill up the heavens let his glory resound

Time has faded and we see him face to face
every doubt erased forever we will worship the king

the reason we breathe is to sing of his glory
and for all he has done praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one

and every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one

Until then, I'll just have to continue listening to "Finally Home." Another unique gem...

Paper Bag Princess

Story Book Character Day - Galatas Elementary

I am a teacher.

More specifically, a reading teacher.

A reading teacher who went to graduate school so she could learn even more about reading.

Cause I can't get enough of the written word.

Syllables, phonemes, correct grammar and spelling, linguistics...

excite me.

I love, adore, and devour children's books.

I have a collection of over 1,500 and that excludes the 1,000 or so I've given away.

I especially love old out-of-print books that are hard to find.

One of the most wonderful smells on earth to me is an old book.

I just want to put my face in the pages and breathe in that library smell.

I want to hold that aroma inside my nose indefinitely.

I collect old Weekly Reader books from the 70's and 80's as these were the books

I cut my teeth on.

I also love to look for the deeper messages that can be found in children's books.

Today, I bring you a message from one of my most cherished books,

"The Paper Bag Princess."

This book came to my mind today, and I won't expound on why it came to my mind because I think you will figure it out.

"Ronald, your clothes are really pretty and your hair is very neat. You look like a real prince, but you are a bum."

Don't be deceived by appearances.

People can portray to be something that they are not. Don't buy into it until you see results.

The proof is in the pudding.

Picture Perfect Party

Wow. I am so blessed. Sydney's first birthday party was on Saturday and it was better than I ever expected it to be.

I was pretty concerned about the weather since I have a track record for planning big events during the worst possible weather imaginable.

Tropical Storm Allison hit the day of my wedding. Every motorcycle benefit ride I've ever participated in has either had pouring rain or freezing cold. I could go on...

But, I prayed for a perfect day, and the Lord delivered...

We had blue skies, cool breezes, and a high of 69. Unreal! We ate in the garage and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and fantastic company.

A few folks regrettably could not come, but sent their love and best wishes. We still had 27 people at the party which was a BUNCH for my little house! 

Sydney took 2 naps before the party (can we say MIRACLE?) with the help of Mawmaw and was in a cheerful mood.

Thank God for girlfriends!

It was worth all of the planning, money, and time. It was worth the headache of getting everything ordered and put together. It was worth it all to see my precious friends and family showering their love on my little girl just by being there!

After it was all over with, we put a very tired and happy little girl to bed and Chris and I sat on the couch and watched the DVD I made of her first year of life. I've seen it a hundred times since I edited it myself, but you won't be surprised that once again, tears dripped down my face as I remembered the most amazing year of my life.

Sydney and Aunt Trish

Sydney, we love you more than can be imagined. We can't wait to see what happens next!

This Time Last Year

This time last year I was miserable beyond words.

I was almost 8 months pregnant and was puffed up to the size of a small hippopotamus...seriously...70 pounds of weight, baby, and fluid on top of my regular weight. Woah.

I was trying to sleep at night but could not due to the excruciating numbness in my arms and legs. I was forced to sleep sitting up in the overstuffed chair in the living room.

I was worrying and thinking about my doctor's appointment tomorrow (Feb 18th) and wondering if the baby was still doing okay even though I wasn't.

I was preparing for my 5th non-stress since I'd been put on bed rest back in January due to preeclampsia.

This time last year I was totally unprepared for what the next 24 hours was going to bring...

On this day last year I had no idea that in less than 24 hours, I was going to be told that I was toxic and my baby had to be delivered soon.

This time last year I was experiencing my last day of being pregnant. Sydney was on her way, whether she liked it or not.

What an amazing year this has been!

And as we prepare to celebrate an entire year with our God-given miracle, I reflect on how much we've learned, grown, and changed.

This time last year I was an entirely different person physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

6 pounds 4 ounces of absolute joy was preparing to come into our lives...

this time last year.

When God Really Doesn't Make Sense

I am borrowing the title of James Dobson's book as my blog subject today. I don't think he will mind. I highly recommend this book for ANYONE who has endured tragedy in their life... and if you haven't yet, you will.

Yesterday was filled with emotion. Everyone I talked to had bad news to share and I found myself offering what few words I could muster for encouragement. My words seemed empty and cliche', but there are just some situations where there are no words. What do you tell someone whose husband is sent home to die because the cancer is back and in his lungs? What do you say to someone whose young, healthy, and beautiful daughter has just been diagnosed with breast cancer? What do you say to the widow who is dealing with the 1 year anniversary of her husband's death as she sits alone in her house? What words of hope do you offer the lady who has watched her husband suffer from dementia the last 8 years and is by his side as he drifts in and out of consciousness, his body shutting down.

What do you say?

All of these situations are real. I spoke with all of these people yesterday and to say the least, I was emotionally spent.

Life is not fair. IT IS NOT FAIR! But whatever made us think that life was supposed to be fair? We think it should be fair and that everyone should play nice and that the good guys should always win and the bad guys should get it in the end. But, they don't. Sometimes the bad guys are victorious and disease, tragedy, heartache, disillusionment, fear, and confusion win.

The other day, I read a blog of someone who had prayed for a child for MANY years and was finally blessed with a baby only to lose that child a few days after he was born to a random illness. This person is now an atheist. When I read that sentence, my heart just sank to the floor.

What a tragedy. I can't imagine losing a child, especially since I have one of my own.

I don't have the answers for those unanswerable questions. I only have the Word of God to lean on. I lean on His Word not just in times of despair, but in all circumstances because it offers hope and comfort.

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

1 Peter 1:6-7

It doesn't matter who you are, but at some point in your life, it will feel like it is spinning out of control. You try to grab the wheel asking, "Why God why?" and we don't get a response. We can decide to center our focus on God and what his next step is for us, or we can become bitter and focus on "Why did He let this happen to me? Doesn't He love me?"

God's love for us is infinite and indescribable. Just because we are suffering doesn't mean His love for us is less. He holds His children through tragedy and trials. God loves us more than we could ever comprehend in our feeble brains, and because He loves us, He knows the people and things that are precious to us. There is not one thing we have endured that HE did not endure on the cross.

Do you remember old Job? He lost EVERYTHING and in spite of it all, grew closer to God. Job was blessed because of his faithfulness...a larger family and more wealth than he'd had before.

I pray that I can find the lessons that God is trying to teach me as I encounter tragedy and trials in my life. I want to grow in Him. I want to be BETTER and not BITTER.

I pray that my friends mentioned above will lay their head in the lap of Christ and let Him hold them as they walk through this valley.

Because if there is a valley, there is a mountain.

And there WILL BE shouting on the other side.

Sweetness

My husband Chris thinks Valentine's Day is a conspiracy conspired by all floral shops and confectioners to boost their first of the year profits. He scoffs at the idea of selecting one day to lavish gifts upon the one you love. He ranks it right up there with Halloween under the category of "Sugar Enriched Pagan Holidays." So, as you can imagine, we don't usually do much for Valentine's. This is a very interesting article about the history of Valentine's Day, if you're good and bored.

http://www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/history_of_valentine.htm

As a new bride, oh about 8 1/2 years ago, I didn't realize my husband's feelings towards the day of love. As Valentine's Day came and went,with no mention of anything "love related," I found myself shocked and appalled at the lack of V-Day observance.

I don't know what's happened to my dear old man since we've had a baby, but a tender side of him has begun to emerge. So that is why I nearly lost consciousness when I walked in Saturday afternoon and saw this...

These are some of the most beautiful roses I have ever seen.

Gorgeous...and in the Mikasa vase he bought  me a VERY long time ago.

Speechless. So sweet. Almost as sweet as these feet....

Party Prepping

Okay, so NEXT Saturday is the big birthday party for my soon to be 1 year old. I have been wise and worked gradually every day on little things getting ready so I won't be stressed out and overwhelmed...oh...and I created the invite in December and just realized that I put the wrong year on it. Geez! Too late now!

Today was spring cleaning. We started early on the house (after a quick jaunt to Belle-Jim for breakfast) and washed windows & mini-blinds, cleaned out the garage, put things in storage, and organized our junk.

It's amazing how inspired you get to give your house a thorough scrubbing when you have people coming over, huh?

I finished making the party favors...a jillion little ladybugs with a jillion little pieces that I prefer to never make again.

Sydney's birthday banner is hung with pride.

I've got my official "week before the party" list typed out and categorized into things to do, things to buy and grocery list. Didn't I mention I was Type-A?

All lollipops are made and ready to be displayed in their arrangement. The helium tank is reserved.

My husband is marinating the 3rd batch of fajitas in order to get the marinade recipe "just right." He is also making homemade pico de gallo.

I don't know about me, but I think Sydney's ready to party!

Thriftiness

I have always been a bargain hunter...ALWAYS. I can count on one hand the times I have paid full price for ANYTHING (not counting Wally World everyday purchases). I can't bring myself to pay retail. I know for a fact how much things are marked up. Wow.

When I go into a department store, I head straight for the clearance rack...every time. It's not that I am so destitute that I HAVE to buy things at a ridiculously cheap price, but there's just something about getting a deal that gives me a thrill. Seriously. It's like a drug.

Some of my happiest times have been with my mom after we come skipping out of a store with our unbelievable cheap treasures...it almost feels like you "stole it" cause you paid so little for it. Euphoric.

Well, I had a bit of that euphoric feeling this week when I left the G.W. (Goodwill). I was gallivanting out of the store clutching my fantastic bargain. Behold...

A brand new PRECIOUS green corduroy jumper with a dainty cream colored turtleneck (not pictured) and matching green diaper cover (not pictured).

Oh, I forgot to tell you, a GYMBOREE jumper. This jumper retails for around $20-25.

I don't know if you shop at GYMBOREE, but I can only walk in there when they're having a major sale, and then I walk out with one pair of socks. There stuff is beyond words adorable, but can be pricey...especially for clothes that will be worn once or twice and then passed on.

Well this jewel was mine for the low, low price of $2.99. I didn't stutter, sister.

The mouse on the pocket has it right... HIDE & SEEK!!

...and I was the lucky one to walk in a FIND this one hiding amongst the

stained onesies with the original price tag still attached.

Bubbly Tubbly Must Haves

Getting Sydney to take a bath is NEVER a struggle. She LOVES the water and has always has been a fan of cleanliness. She would take 3-4 baths a day if I would let her. Just yesterday, I jumped in the tub for a QUICK bath and then she walks in the bathroom, sees me in the tub, starts taking off her clothes and hiking her leg up on to the side of the tub trying to get in. After tears of frustration and a couple of mini-hissy fits, I plopped her in with me. Then, all was right with the world.

She has been in the "big kid tub" as my friend's son Caleb calls it, for a couple of months now. It is her own personal swimming pool that she takes great delight in. When I start running the water, she will come running to the bathroom squealing at the top of her lungs. She will continue her "Ode to the Tub" solo until I put her in. It's something you have to experience to appreciate. Last night Chris gave her the bath and while she was warbling, he says, "What is that about?"

Let me take a moment and tell you about something I have just discovered...It is California Baby's line of bubble bath for kids, infants, and sensitive adults. I can't believe I actually paid $14.00 for a bottle of bubble bath (an impulse I guess) but I AM SO GLAD I DID!

There is magic in this bottle, people. I kid you not. Totally an all natural aromatherapy experience like no other. Glad it is all-natural 'cause Sydney thinks bubbles taste divine. It truly does change your attitude from cranky to sweet. I have used it myself and it makes you feel so relaxed and your skin so soft and muscles tension free. I highly recommend it. The bubbles last A LONG time and the aroma is wonderful. The reason I was looking for an all-natural bubble bath is due to Sydney's sensitive skin. She is like her mama and breaks out when I use regular soap. Thank goodness for California Baby! It even comes with a bubble wand for fun in the tub.

I also cannot live without the Tub Rug. It has a heat sensor so you know the water is not too hot and since Sydney enjoys performing gymnastic stunts in the bath, it also helps her keep her balance. I hang it up on a pants hanger between baths and it never mildews. By the way, this retails for around $10 - $12 and I picked it up for $3 (brand new) at a "Just Between Friends" sale. Whoop! Makes up for my horribly expensive bubble bath.

The Doorkeeper

Well, hello folks and thanks for tuning in to the latest edition of...

"What's Sydney Up To These Days?"

She has discovered the one, the only, full-sized DOOR!

Everytime I watch "Ever After", you know the Cinderella movie with Drew Barrymore, I laugh hysterically EVERY time DaVinci says,

"Yes, I shall go down in history as The Man Who Opened a Door!"

Sydney is making history with her door opening and slamming. The other day, after I fussed at her for trying to destroy the miniblinds, she made not a sound and toddled to her room and promptly slammed the door. I thought that was a teenage thing..

She is selective about who can come in after she has forcefully shut a door. Simmy always makes the cut as they have become fast friends.

And...she is perfectly content to play in her room, all by herself, with the door closed. Hmmm...how long will THIS last?

Candy Queen

Isn't she lovely?

Don't they look so happy congregating together on my blue kitchen counter?

Picture them in a gorgeous galvanized tin with black spots....got that?

After words of advice, patience, more candy wafers, and a rainy morning with nothing else to do, I have CONQUERED the Ladybug lollipops I am making for Sydney's 1st Birthday Bash.

Tedious does not begin to describe painting all of those details with very dark chocolate.
Painstaking does not do justice to the breath-holding required to get these JUST right.

I am a perfectionist, and I'm woman enough to admit it. If you can't do it right, it's just not worth doing. I saw these lollipops online for an astronomical price and decided right then and there that my child would have these lollies and I would make them for a fraction of the cost.

Yep, that was before I bought candy paint brushes, molds, wafers, more wafers, special dye for chocolate (can't use regular food coloring) and I forgot, more wafers.

But for now, I am basking in the glory of my 12 ladybug lovelies and thinking about tomorrow and the next day when I'll be making at least 24 more...Ahhh...

Nesha

Come Ride With Me

November 2007 - Queen Wilhelmina Lodge

In November 2007 B.B. (Before Baby) Chris and I took a trip to the Ozark Mountains on the bike. It was a COLD ride up there and we stayed at the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge which is a little piece of heaven.

For some reason today, I woke up thinking about that trip. No plans, no schedules, no pressing deadlines, just riding. If you've never ridden a motorcycle before, I suggest you do it at least once in your life. It is an exhilarating experience. I don't know if it is the open air, the speed, the scenery, but there is something about a bike that makes you feel free. One of my favorite things to do is close my eyes and let my feet dangle off the plates. It feels like you are flying.

I wasn't a big motorcycle fan before I met Chris. But, when you fall in love with someone, you participate in the hobbies they love, and SOMETIMES, you start to like it, too. Notice I said the word like, not LOVE.

Chris+Me=LOVE

Me+Bike=LIKE

There is a difference. Here is a video I took from the back of the bike. Take a ride with me and imagine the wind in your hair. Oh, and the reason I haven't blogged in a week is due to an extremely mobile child...If she's not sleeping she's running.

Nesha