MIA

It's been quiet around these parts for awhile now...I have wanted to write, but haven't had the energy.



You see, morning, afternoon, and evening sickness took over at the beginning of the year and my ability to get anything done kind of just diminished. And now, right when I feel like I am coming out of the first trimester fog, I am hit with possible kidney stones or gall stones...it just keeps gettin' better and better. Good thing it's worth it for a sweet new bundle of joy!!

We are all very excited! :)

four :: thirty days of thanks :: lazy fridays

Lazy Fridays are the best...laying around watching Tangled in our pjs...folding diapers...



wearing princess crowns...and lots and lots of snuggling. What a perfect morning!

two :: thirty days of thanks :: memories

I laughed as I perused my pins and came across a quote that accurately described what I was thankful for today.

Source: charmedlifeliving.tumblr.com via Amanda H. on Pinterest

On this day, instead of spending my time focused on tasks that need completed in my home (laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cleaning toilets), I am thankful for the opportunity to:

• go on long walks through the neighborhood
• snuggle on the porch swing
• shovel dirt into pails
• bounce balls across the yard
• laugh until it hurts
• create memories!!

one :: thirty days of thanks :: family

For me, November 1st marks the beginning. The beginning of beautiful colors of fall (in Texas), a change in weather, an extra hour to spend with my loved ones (don't forget to change your clocks this weekend), and the countdown to Thanksgiving! This year, I am marking it with something else; 30 Days of Thanks.

Everyday until November 30th, I will be posting one thing for which I am thankful. It could pertain to something specific that happened that day or it could be much broader and based on lessons I am  learning...who knows? Part of the fun is leaving it open and letting it unfold over the course of the month. I could use a good dose of thankfulness right now...how about you? If you'd like to join in, feel free to leave your thankful thoughts in the comments, too.



Well, I can't start a month of thanks without first expressing my gratefulness for my beautiful family. God knew what he was doing when He made my husband and He definitely knew he was the right match to balance me out. He is strong, caring, trustworthy...and he works tirelessly to provide for our family. I am thankful for what he brings in my life be it discipline or encouragement and how he pushes me towards better things. I love him beyond words and am thankful to that he is the head of our family.

If that wasn't enough, I have also been blessed with my sweet Ju-Ju. She is the bright sunshine of my day. She keeps me on my toes every minute. She stretches me in more ways than one with her strong will and her outgoing temperament. But I am thankful nonetheless. She makes me laugh, she makes me cry, she makes me strive to be a better person. She is a catalyst of change in my heart on several levels and I am thankful that God is allowing me to take care of her.

Wordless Wednesday: Coloring Fun!

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Weekend Project

We built a shed this weekend...it was hard work, but was fun. Here are some shots I snapped along the way. :)

This is my favorite...His, Hers, & Hers Drills!! :)

Friday Quick Takes

It's been a loooooooong week. So I decided to write out my thoughts like Just Me Right Now -- quick takes style.

1. Succulents are awesome! Just give them the right amount of light and water only when they dry out -- how much more low maintenance can you get? Just this week, I found two that like shade or part sun and that is exactly what I've got in my yard. So I have given both of them a new home and I hope to enjoy them for a very long time. :) You'd probably never know that the Kalanchoe plant pictured above is a succulent but for its rubbery leaves -- this version is called Flaming Katie. The flowers are so much fun! And of course, you can't go wrong with Hen & Chicks. What you see here is actually the "hen" and it will reproduce lots of little chicks, which you can transplant and make new plants.


2. Single parenting is hard work. I really don't know how single moms do it...I never realized how much even 30 minutes of daddy/baby time can refresh my sanity. Looking forward to the end of this.

3. This week I feel like I should have been crowned Queen of Procrastination. I am utterly behind on so many projects -- and of course my lack of progress creates lots of stress. It's a vicious cycle. I need to get better at the Six List I am supposed to be working on in the Cleaning Challenge. I'm pretty sure that will help me stay focused and on the right track. I'll tell you more about that later.

4. Also, this week a few things came to a head for me -- one of which revolves around friendships. I have never been one to have a lot of friends. I have always had one or two really close friends and then others that I hang out with on occasion. For the past couple of years, these numbers have dwindled to nothing for various reasons -- whether life change, moving in different directions, or just plain lack of interest in pursuing the friendships, I guess. It's hard. It's lonely. And while it is something that I wish I had, being burned by old friends makes you wary of making new ones. Pair this with the onset of motherhood -- stay at home mommyhood at that -- and I feel the isolation even more. I love my husband more than anything and while I consider him to be my absolute best friend, there is something different about girl friends, ya know?

I thought I was making progress with some girls, but it always takes me to draw them out which makes me feel like they really don't want to hang out at all. Then other girls have tried to take an interest in me, but unfortunately during times when other friendships were disintegrating into nothingness and I didn't have it in me to get hurt again so I blew them off. Geez, louise...that's the way to make new friends. I really don't know why I am saying this other than to say that adult friendships are hard...I wish I could say that I am praying about this but I'm not. Most days, it hurts to much so I don't want to admit it to myself let alone say it outloud to God. Maybe I should though...I might at least feel better about the whole situation. It's really just and ugh type of topic.

5. After writing about my shampoo bar, I happened to read this post which mentions Apple Valley Shampoo Bars. I think I might try one of these once my bar is gone. Some of the scents sound absolutely delicious! And since it is a shampoo and body bar, they are a little bit larger and not so bad of a price. If I try it, I'll share my thoughts.

6. I had the pleasure of trying out a new tea joint over in North Austin called The Tea Lounge. They specialize in bubble teas, which I LOVE! Sooooooo yummy! If you are in the area, you must go -- and take a friend or two during happy hour where it is buy 2 get one free. One of my favorite flavors is Thai Tea Bubble Tea. Delish!


7. Despite the hard week, I have also engaged in a lot of belly laughs, tickle fests, hug & kisses marathons, and more. I love my little girl so much and in between some of the battle of the wills, we have made lots of memories. :)

I Promise...

For my little one...

I promise to hug and kiss you in great abundance.
I promise to tell you I Love You often so that you never doubt it.
I promise to always pursue you -- no matter what.
I promise to love your daddy with all my heart until the day that I die.
I promise to be your greatest cheerleader in whatever you choose to do in life.
I promise to provide for you emotionally, spiritually, and financially (with Daddy's help of course!).
I promise to support and encourage as you develop and hone in on your gifts and talents.
I promise to snuggle with you as long as you want whenever you are sick.
I promise to show you grace when you make mistakes.
I promise to go first in asking for forgiveness.
I promise to always make you a priority.
I promise to try to live out what it means to be a Godly woman.
I promise to kiss your boo-boos when you fall down.
I promise to pray for you daily.
I promise to value time with you above time spent doing housework or hobbies.
I promise to read God's Word to you regularly and pray with you at bedtime.
I promise to be the best mom that I know how to be, looking to other woman for help when I don't.

With Love,
Mama