SURPRISE

Well for those that don't already know....we are expecting baby #2!!!!!! We are really happy about it. It was a bit of a shock in the sense that our two children will be 16 months apart. We are either really brave or reeeeeaaaallly dumb :). Either way, We find out the sex of the baby Oct 19th and I'm gonna need all of you to think BLUE!!!!

I want a boy so bad. Yea yea I want a healthy baby but who doesn't? Anyone who says I don't care as long as it is healthy is lying. We all have a preference it's whether or not you choose to admit it to the public that separates us. I stand proud and say I want a son. There is no shame and I encourage all of you to join me in stating your preference with no sense of judgement. It doesn't mean that if God has decided to grant us with the other sex that does not mean we won't take care of them or stuff them back in (the later I can GUARANTEE you will never happen). As young girls we dreamt of the house, the pets, the man and our children. So sue me if I am holding on to the dream for a bit longer....errr well parts of the dream. HAHAHA.

On the other hand I totally feel like it is a girl when everyone else is thinking a boy so well see who is right. Bright side if it is another girl, I have most of the stuff ready to go!!!!

I will keep you updated on everything. Well almost everything :)

Is it all a BIG excuse???

(strawberry yogurt)



I for the most part have been blessed to not be hormonal, have severe cramps, or even random outbursts. I was a typical teenager and my twenties have been normal. So why oh why has having a baby decided to change all of this. Now don't you go and tell me that "Oh a baby changes everything". DUH ! I look in the mirror everyday!!! I'm talking about the fact that before and during my pregnancy I was fine. I maybe had 3 emotional occurrences while pregnant. Honestly ask my husband!!! Now I can't watch a sappy commercial without getting misty. Not to mention if my husband doesn't put his dishes in the dishwasher...BACK UP!!!

Now as long as I can remember and I'm sure long before that as well, men have used the joke "Must be your time of the month." I personally have never met a women who ONLY during those few days is emotional and on edge... So have we begun to play into this one week a month were allowed or should I say expected to be a leaky faucet and/or just an all out bitch?

I know for me there are times when I have said "I know that I am over reacting but I can't help it so GO WITH IT". So with that I know that there are in fact times when we lose it but really? Once a month? I think NOT ladies. SO let's put on our BIG girl panties and act like adults....

Well I'm gonna at least try it out ;)

Kids these days...

On facebook a few days ago I posted an update stating:

Just watched a 15 year old girl get off the bus in my neighborhood turn around and flash not only me but all the kids that got off with her as well.....on a side note Adelyn will be home schooled.....

Thank you and goodnight

I am still not over this for several reasons. For starters because it made me feel old cause I wanted to yell at her. But does she not have any respect for herself??? Or better yet has she not been taught to have better respect for herself. This girl obviously was well taken care of, was not looking for a quick buck on the street corner, and definitely was not ashamed of what she DID NOT have. I just don't understand. The thought to flash people never would have crossed my mind at 15 years old.

 

Now I know that the clothes that are worn these days has gotten a little....smaller, shorter, and definitely more revealing but that doesn't bother me as much as the sense of entitlement that seems to be happening. For example: Do you know that there is no dodgeball in school anymore? Why you ask...because we don't want to leave any kids out or allow them to be picked last. I totally understand this as I was never picked first but I also wasn't picked last. In community sports, many have now reverted to having no score in the games or better yet both teams are winners. Again I understand what the intention were but like I always say no one every thought about the LONG TERM repercussions. We now have kids coming out of high school thinking that they should get that six figure job because they went to school, got the degree, and now want to work, play, and be merry.

I never had to walk to school in the snow uphill barefoot for 10 miles. But I was taught that you work for what you want, don't take no for an answer and in the end it will all pay off. I was never asked to be something I wasn't. I truly believe this is why I knew who I was and what I wanted to be at a younger age then most. I had my set backs but always had my family to pick me back up, dust me off and wipe my tears.

I want nothing more than for my children to enjoy their childhood to the fullest. BUT life lessons are to be learned the not fun way, HARD sometimes. That includes things are not always fair, you don't get something just because you want it, and of course the ever popular, not everyone is a winner. I want my children to be successful but I want them to feel that they have accomplished something as well. It is a fine line I know but we as parents have a several jobs to do and one that I feel is so important is to teach our children to not shy away from hard work. This world, as we all know, has become a bit self absorbed or even just down right selfish. Let's make the next generation a little bit better by instilling the basic morals and values that our parents taught us. Just an idea....

why is this move so hard?

(special K...STUPID DIET)

As many of you know I recently (OK almost a year now) moved from Georgia to Florida. I have basically lived my entire life in Georgia. I consider my self to a belle and or a peach. For this I am truly proud. When my husband and I decided to move to Florida (contrary to rumor ha ha) it was because of the job opportunity he was offered could not be passed up. This job has not only helped rebuild our financial state but also allow me to be a stay at home mom for longer than ever thought possible. I thank my husband everyday for the chance to be with my daughter day in and day out. However... I miss everything about Georgia. I miss the crappy weather, the southern charm, the familiarity,  and most of all my friends and family (God love'm). I have been a social person my whole life. I really don't know that I have ever REALLY met a stranger. But when we moved to Florida I get asked where I am from like I am a foreigner, I'm guessing my accent. Which on a side note never really thought it was that thick, just saying. I worked up until having the baby and met a few people, all whom are great. I have something in common with all of them. But oddly no ones schedules match...this has never happen to me before. I can not seem to coordinate with one person but maybe once a month. IF THAT!!! I miss my girls, miss the guys, miss football parties, bonfires, Atlanta shopping, sporting events, concerts, miss having two bars in my neighborhood, heck I even miss everyone's petty drama....OK that last one I could do without but you get the point. I guess I am so tired of feeling isolated. My husband does the best he can but your girl friends are like no other (as previously mentioned in another blog). I know that we will be here for a minute and I need to suck it up and make the best of it... CHEERS TO ALL MY GIRLS!!!!!!! OK and my guys too!!!

A mother's worry

(apple....that's it)

As a mother we worry about our children and everything around them. This can be a positive or negative for both the mother and the child. Today I woke like any other day and fed my daughter and got ready for the day. I laid her on her stomach in the living room for "tummy time". As I sat and watched her I was reminded of an article that had been sent to me from a "friend" when I was pregnant. The article was basically about signs that this particular researcher believed to be present with babies. As I sat there reviewing the paper over and over again. I found myself staring at my daughter attempting to roll over back and forth. Was she doing it "correctly"? I turned to my husband who like so many fathers out there reverted to a shoulder shrug and a "don't worry she is fine." As much as I wanted this to comfort me sadly...it did not. I continued the article which mentioned everything from how they lay at 5 days old, to how they roll over, to sitting up and even walking. All the while naming signs and examples of babies that they had observed both with and without autism. Now I know that a diagnosis would not be made for another 2-3 years (if needed at all). However I feel that because I am a planner I am suppose to do something, ANYTHING. But what do you do to plan for a disorder? Or for that matter what am I gonna do for any other life changing event in her life. Where was this thought revelation in all those baby books? This is the stuff I need to know about not how to push, what this or that is gonna look like, or better yet how to change a darn diaper. OK is it too early to have a glass of wine??? I need my therapy.....

A friend indeed...

(Waffles, tons of syrup and milk...I don't understand why I am not losing all the baby weight hahaha)

Best friends are like diamonds, precious and rare

False friends are like leaves, found everywhere.

~ Unknown

There are so many things that you can go through your life and never experience. You don't have to have ever eaten brussel sprouts or traveled the world. But I do feel that as a women you should find a soul mate, laugh everyday and have girlfriends. My family is so important to me but I cant describe the bond that you can have with your girlfriends. If you want to know a secret, I don't trust girls who don't have any close girl friends. I feel that if you can not make a connection with another women than you have insecurities that will only hold you back.

As years have gone by I, like many other women I know have had friendships come and go. There are also those relationships that though you may not talk everyday or even every week you know that with one phone call they would be there in a second. No matter how many friendships come and go in your life, each hold a special place in our hearts always.

I can name quite a few life events that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I NEVER would have been able to get through without my friends. Although family is very important no one can take the place of a friend's shoulder. We decide the compatibility of a potential friend usually before we have memorized their name. To some this is called "judging"...oh come on...we all do it!!! But once they have made the cut these are the companions that will be by your side when you need them the most...whether that be a happy time, tragic time, or even when you have made a horrible decision.

Ladies, life is short and we only get one shot to live it to the fullest. Don't let drama, a bad day or even alcohol take away something as special as your girlfriend. Trust me...it's not worth it.

Have a happy day!!!

Give me FAITH

(more Special K...trying to get rid of that baby weight)

So my husband gets a daily devotional email from a celebrity Pastor who I feel is quite inspirational. And I kid you not the past few days he has been dead on with my thoughts or what is going on in our life. Now is this one of those, "oh my goodness my horoscope said that something inspirational will come my way and look I'm having a good hair day...." situations? I don't know but it has got me thinking about religion and how important I feel faith is in a family. I personally believe in any path that leads to God. Now whatever that may be for you is fine. Some go to an organized church, others maybe a gathering every once in awhile, and some its more personal. I feel that if you don't believe in anything you are missing out on some really beautiful things. If you can sit back and say that this world just happen and that we are all here cause well...its how we "evolved" (which DO NOT get my sister in law started on evolution, cause according to her..that's crap.PS she makes some great points) that's really sad. Why not believe in a world that we all have a purpose and we strive to all be a better us and full fill that purpose or as some call it destiny. That is a world I want to be apart of.  A world that I wake up let my feet hit the floor and people say...."SHE'S UP...GET READY FOR A GREAT DAY!!!!" and we will call it Tiffyville...Ok Ok..Ive gone too far, but you get my point   :)

Great Expectations

(Special K cereal....not my first pick)

Have you ever really thought about expectations that are set? I mean generally speaking the average person is given expectations to reach for on a daily basis. Of course many are so small that we don't think twice before accomplishing these goals all the while meeting an expectation that someone laid before us.

I am currently attempting to reach the expectations set for being a mother. And as I go along I am realizing that they are not equal to that of a father....WHY IS THAT? Now don't get me wrong fathers are important trust me I would know but a mother's role in her children's lives seems to take on a whole other form. My role (aka the expectations set) as a wife have stayed the same. I still cook, grocery shop, clean, and care for my husband and our home. When I became a mother diapers, baths, feedings, changings, more laundry, and general needs of our baby girl were added. NOTHING was taken to even out the score. This is not intended to be a cut at my husband or any other fathers out there as he works full time so that I have water to wash clothes, money to buy groceries, those clothes and diapers. But I have many friends who as mothers work full time and still have their wife and mother duties (aka expectations) all at the same time.

Now do we take on these roles as wives and mothers and then our husbands slowly come to expect them OR are they expected and we fall into our role? Chicken...egg...you get the idea. And if we do this to ourself...WHAT WERE WE THINKING????? Ok that's it I need that bottle of wine from yesterday :) 

Wine is Cheaper than Therapy

(waffles, syrup, and a tall glass of milk)

Like so many others I know from time to time I have had questions about my past and what my future may hold. I have recently started to uncover answers about my past (like it or not) and at the same time have grown to increasingly become more frustrated with my lack of forseen future. I continue to recieve many "words of wisdom" including but not limited to "Your still young", "It is what it is", and my favorite "If you really want it bad enough you'll figure it out". These deep individuals are all people who love and care about me and truely like myself have no idea what the solution really is.

Like I mentioned before I have begun to piece together a past for which has been a fog in my life . A huge part of this discovery was locating and contacting my father (whom I have not seen since I was two) and have not only reunited with him but an entire family I never knew I had. As you can imagine this alone has been a revelation that one does NOT encounter everyday and for that...I need a BOTTLE of wine. But I feel I have taken this in stride and day by day I am more and more thankful I mustered up the courage to do so.

The first few weeks were filled with questions leading to questions. I feel happy with the peace I have made with my paternal side. Unfortunately this has lead me to more questions on my maternal side. I am beginning to understand that "It is what it is" basically answers many of those questions. However I am happy to have a two sided  family as crazy as they all are. God love them

Now when attempting to look forward, let's just say I am having a bit of writers block. I know three simple things. I want to be happy with what I am doing, I want to be able to step back and smile at my personal success, and somehow be able to make money doing this. I know I know, I started that sentence off with three SIMPLE steps so it should be a no brainer. Well kids I have no ideas and in case any of y'all forgot this April is NOT my 21st birthday. We're reaching poo or get off the pot time. As previously mentioned I have gone to friends and family for advice and have received no actual ideas but more a list of inspirational speeches and pep talks. All appreciated but little help in my future endeavors. So this is it I sit here mid afternoon with an empty plate of waffles and a blank future as of yet...