Sunday Social

Yay!  It's time for another Sunday Social!  I haven't done one in awhile, but I am happy to be linking up to do another one!!!  I hope everyone has a safe & happy New Year's!!  Here's to sticking to these "goals" for 2013!  Good Luck Guys!!  Link up & follow!

This Weeks Questions:

1. Favorite New Years eve you’ve had before:
Well, I have two that are my favorite.  #1 was when I first knew my husband was interested in being more than just friends.  While dating we chose New Year's Eve/Day to celebrate our anniversary, b/c that is when we "caught each one another's eye".  #2 was when we went to Houston for the New Year and went out with some of his friends.  We had a lot of fun, but actually spent New Year's Eve inside watching TV and spending time w/each other.

 


2. Are you doing anything for NYE this year and if so what?
We are not doing anything for NYE!  Well....maybe baby making practice, but who isn't doing that on NYE ;-)

3. Name a book we should all read come January?
I highly recommend you read the Bible if you haven't already.  If you have.....step it up with daily devotionals.


4. What are your new years resolutions?

1.  Make more time for my loving husband.
2.  Make more time for my Princess daughter.
3.  Clean the house weekly and do laundry weekly.
4.  Work out at least 5 days a week.
5.  I would love to lose weight, but I really just need to get healthier.
6.  Take more time to pamper myself!!!
7.  Be a better Blogger!
8.  Focus on my career goals.
9.  Shut the door on people who drain me & open the door to those who are uplifting!


 

Saturday Top Five Laughs

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Holiday and plan to have an even better New Year!  I hope you enjoy reading!  Just a little FYI....thees are some of the funnies I can remember from my two year old that is obviously going on 16.  We definitely have our hands full!  I love friendly comments and new followers!

5.  While throwing a tantrum for her father, Ladybug took a break to calmly shout, "You're making me crazy, Daddy".


4.  Ladybug's terrible twos are kicking into high gear.  She is still the most pleasant little girl, but when she starts acting "two" and trying to push the limits.......it's usually game on in this house.  Yesterday she was throwing a fit b/c she wanted to stay home and play in the freshly fallen snow.  She refused to get dressed and started stiffening her legs so I couldn't get her underwear on.  I'd had enough after about 5 minutes of her running around and not being cooperative, I made her go to timeout.  I asked her to put on her underwear before she went into timeout.  "No!" was the reply I received and she went into the corner completely naked.  That ladies and gentlemen is what I am dealing with!


3.  The weather is getting colder and Ladybug has had to start wearing her heavy coat.  It was quite a transition for her.  She is a little bit of a diva and enjoys wearing girlie things and the color pink.  One day the temperature had dropped quite a bit and she needed to wear her heavy coat.  It's brown and the cuffed sleeves are brown with hot pink polka dots.  She saw the coat and immediately said, "ummm No!  That's not mine.  That's like a brown or black.....I like something like a pink".   What??  I have officially lost control!  So...I tried to play up the pink polka dots....so far that has been working.

2.  She really got into Christmas this year and enjoyed reading her Bible and doing her Advent tree.  She really just amazes me with what she can retain and understand at this age.  She picked up her Bible and I asked her to read (pre-read) it to me.  She wanted to read the story of Noah, b/c that is her "favorite" story.  She "read" (from memory), "Noah builds a big boat.  Noah obeyed God.  It rained and rained and rained some more".

1.  Ladybug:  Mommy, am I going caroling?
Me: No
Ladybug:  Aw.....but, I like caroling!
Me:  Do you know any songs?
Ladybug:  Jingle Bells!!  I want to go caroling to daddy.
------and we did.  We caroled to daddy, in front of the bathroom door. :-)

It's Okay Thursday

It's been a very long time guys!  Enjoy!!!

It's Okay......

 

that I was relieved that the doctor gave my daughter a ear infection diagnosis.  It validated that I wasn't going crazy!

 

that I am perfectly okay with the fact that we were shut in for Christmas & had to enjoy each other's company!

 

that I plan on doing nothing for the New Year, besides sitting around the house w/my family.

 

that I still haven't finished Christmas shopping for out of town family.  Oops....I'll blame it on being sick!

 

that although I absolutely wanted to finish the Advent tree ornaments, I wasn't able to because I was sick.  :-(

 

that I didn't redo my daughter's ponytails this morning.....just brushed them back & added a bow.  Don't judge me....I'm still not 100%.

Celebrating Christmas....while sick

Our Christmas break did not start out as planned. I ended up getting sick the week before Christmas as was not able to go Christmas shopping for the extended family or clean the house from head to toe like I had planned. My husband decided that we wouldn't got out of town before the forecast had predicted snow for Christmas and we would have trouble getting back...plus...I wasn't feeling well. This ended up being a good idea b/c Ladybug got some viral stomach thing and got the entire house sick. I was able to get her to the doctor on Friday and get her prescription before everything was shut down. This also let me do a little shopping b/c by the time we were able to get in to see the doctor, she was acting like she hadn't been up all morning sick to her stomach. So, she was good for a couple of hours out on the town shopping with Mommy. Well, the entire house has let this virus pass through our system.....now she is just running a low grade fever b/c of her allergies. I'll take that over vomiting and diarrhea any day!! She is still a little weak. She took a three hour nap and is now in the kitchen w/her father getting Santa's plate ready. She didn't have enough energy to stay up and make cookies for him. That's cool with me b/c Mommy and Daddy are ready to hit the sack early. I just wanted to drop a few lines to let everyone know that I was still here and breathing!!! I left a couple of pictures documenting our eventful "sickly" Christmas! I hope to have the Christmas post up soon!

Pretending to be sick at the doctor.  I am always wondering what they must think when I bring in a little one that is allegedly sick, but is running around like she owns the place.

I love Haribo, so when I saw this during my sick shopping, I was in Heaven!  I didn't even know they had all these different choices!!!

Yes, she is eating pop-ice with her mittens on.  I knew I would find a purpose for these things!!!  This is the only way I could get her to wear them!

Another reason why I love Aldi!  Only $2!!  Better not eat it though!

Decorating her Giant Gingerbread Man Girl!

  

She left this out for Santa on her art table.  She was too tired to make cookies with Daddy.

Remember....it's Christmas!

We took our daughter to a Christmas Party they were having at a local library across town. I saw it being advertised when I took one of my clients to the library. I thought this would be a great idea and something fun for us to do as a family. Well, first....anything that is free.....should be accompanied by a CAUTION sign. All in all we had a fun time, but it wouldn't be worth posting if there was a little crazy mixed in with everything else! Well, we got to the library with plenty of time to spare. We waiting in line, talked ate snacks and then....Ladybug had to go to the restroom. My husband stayed in line while we rushed in and out of the restroom. Once we got out of the restroom the line had moved into the party room. We ran to catch up with my husband and there were these women that were determined to not let us by. I tried to explain to her that we were in the bathroom and my husband was waiting for us at the FRONT of the line. She told me, "You 'gon' have to wait like everyone else". Um....not today, boo. I let my daughter off my hip....called to my husband and sent her to the front of the line. Then...I politely said "excuse me" and walked by. I have no time for silliness! It's Christmas, guys!! Well, Ladybug got the gift she wanted, worked on a craft and ate a cupcake that she described as "yucky". Then we left the area and got in line to wait on Santa. There was a woman sitting in a chair in the lobby that appear very upset that she was not allowed to get a gift and eat with the rest of the children. Hmm....maybe she didn't get the memo that this was just for children. She was quite upset and quoted the Bible that if it wasn't for everyone...God certainly didn't approve. Oh, you got to love Christmas! Well, we made this trip across town to this particular library b/c each year they have a certain Ethnic Santa that I like. He wears an Afro-centric Santa Suit and has long wavy hair and a nice salt and pepper beard. Um...that is not who stepped out of the back room. :-/ Oh, well. Like I said....Ladybug had fun and that is all that matters. I told her the Santa we saw was Santa's helper. She didn't seem to care either way. After we left the library we headed home and got ice-cream. She really liked that!!!

Ladybug is talking with her daddy and trying to decide what toy she wants for Christmas!

This was in the bathroom and was so hilarious!!!

Working hard on her Gingerbread craft.

This is the game that she picked out for herself.  I had no idea that they would be giving gifts to the children!  That was so sweet of them!!!

The finished Gingerbread man!  She is so talented.

Once we left Santa, we went to get ice-cream from Sonic, b/c it was happy hour by then.  I think the ice cream made up for all the craziness!  But, she loved every minute of it!

Ladybug and her bootlegged Santa!  LOL!  I think he couldn't find his wig....not sure what this is on his head.  He is like a Moses Santa.  But, Ladybug looks cute and happy and that's all that matters!

Let's Get Praisy!!!

This is a really fun and challenging link up from thenatos.com. This is my first one to do! The short version of what to do is to link a verse from a modern song to a biblical verse. You can check out the long version and link up at the website listed above. So if you like it, be sure to stop by her site and vote for me!!! I am #70!!!!



Turn up the lights in here, baby
Extra bright, I want y'all to see this
Turn up the lights in here, baby
You know what I need, want you to see everything, want you to see all of the lights.

Kanye West or Luke 11:33-35????

Luke11:33-35
33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy,[b] your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

On the way to Granny & Granddaddy's house for Thanksgiving Day!!! We left Wednesday after work and ran into traffic on the way down. These are a few pictures that I took of Ladybug on the way down! Enjoy the pictures! Leave me a message and let me know if you are a new follower!!!

This is what happens after being in traffice for an hour.  You take off your socks and shoes, put your shoes on your hands and sing if you're happy and you know it.

Ladybug watching Veggie Tales.  I am thankful for portable DVD players.

We enjoyed a trip to the Zoo to see the beautiful Koi fish before leaving for our trip.

Messy Motherhood Link up!

Be Encouraged!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:11
 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.


What’s the best way you have been encouraged as a mom? 

I have had a great support system while being a new mother.  I was new to the area and besides my husband, I only knew my sister, her family & some coworkers.  What helped me the most was surrounding myself with mothers...good mothers....mothers that could be a support to me.  I needed to be nourished and connected with mothers that had a fire in them to love God and be good mothers!  I was fortunate to have mothers and non-mothers that would love on me and my daughter.  Knowing that I "could do this", even if they weren't everyone's way of doing it, was comforting to me.  No, I didn't have all the answers and yes I did ask questions, but at the end of the day I made the choice that I thought was best.  Guess what??  It worked out!!  The first couple of months....well, I'll be honest, the first year, Google was my best friend!  Hearing struggles from other mother's and listening to advice....even the advice not taken, was a great source of encouragement to me.  I just felt the love when I would get a call, a comment on a Facebook post or just people sending their love anyway they knew how.  I liked hearing people tell me that I was doing a good job.  That meant a lot to me and still does!

How can someone encourage a mom that’s been through the ringer.

Sometimes mothers like to know that they are not alone and that they are not the only person that has screwed something up!  Especially when you thought you had almost gotten it together.  I am not afraid to admit that sometimes I'm still not organized enough in the morning and my little one is 2!!!  Call that mother and offer to help her!  You  may even have to insist that she let you help.  It can be as simple as helping her with a chore, letting her take a two hour nap, offering to give her a homemade mani!  Having a playdate with the kids.  Let her know that she and her children are loved and you appreciate her!  Talk with her, pray with her and mostly let her know that she has someone to call or text or whatever.....whenever she needs to!  

You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are. –Max Lucado

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-for-encouragement-20-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2CkGKo1Qc

You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done, but simply because you are. –Max Lucado

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-for-encouragement-20-great-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2CkGKo1Qc

Encouragement starts at home. How do you & your husband encourage one another??

My husband and I really try hard to encourage one another and use a soft tongue when we speak to one another.  We have learned our love languages and learned to respect them and fill each other's cup.  Now....it gets difficult sometimes and we get careless, but we give our all to each to make sure we are both appreciated.  I give him "Man Time" and he gives me "Lady Time".  We enjoy verbal affirmation with each other.  He helps around the house and I say "thank you".  He gets our daughter ready in the morning and does her hair and I say, "THANK YOU!!!!"  We try to build each other up by respecting each other and loving each other.  It's not always easy, but it is definitely always worth it.

Wow!!!!  This was a wonderful link up and I hope it was encouraging to someone!  I know that I am interested in reading the posts from everyone else!  I love encouraging comments and new followers!

Sunday Social

I am so glad to be able to share with everyone what I am Thankful for in my life!!! These are in no special order.  Making this list of thankfulness really made me look at all that God has given me.  I really didn't make a dent in this, but I need to take a  nap!  I wanted to find a picture of my grandmother, but I can't get it off the computer.  But I am very thankful for her and all of her 94 years that she has been here on Earth!  Have fun reading and don't forget follow me when you're done. I love comments and following new followers!

So thankful for my first born nephew and my middle sister.  This was taken at his play, Sherlock Holmes.  Yes, he did steal the show.....as if you couldn't tell!

So, thankful for my little Ladybug that is a delight and doesn't mind posing for all the photos that I have taken of her.

I love the fact that there are materials to help me teach my daughter about Christ and how He loves her!

I have been pleased with a child that is in good health and loves doing "activities" with her Mommy.

I am thankful for a niece and nephew around Ladybug's age that she can share fun and laughter with!

I am thankful for a loving husband that lets our daughter jump on his back!

I have a wonderful oldest sister and she has raised a wonderful family!

Two wonderful parents that are in good health and that have raised a wonderful family and are very supportive of their 3 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 3 son-in-laws!

Sunday phone dump!!!

Looking like an Alien, getting my hair done!

Playing in her Princess Tower with her hair roaming free!

Reading her Bible.....on the table!

Evidently Mommy is a funny driver.

Lunch!!!

Smooches!!

Yay!!! Daddy's home! Love this picture!

Um....Could you take any longer w/my food, Taco Cabana?

I love new followers and following new blogs!!!! Let me hear from you!!!

Saturday Top Five Laughs

I'm so glad to see the weekend!!!  Mainly because I get to work on some Holiday/Winter projects, but also because I get to share my funnies for the week!  Enjoy my 2 year old's humor!!  Please read and follow!  I love new followers & I love comments!  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

1.  My husband is on a journey to get in shape and get healthy.  We were all in the living room watching him workout.  Ladybug likes to do the Insanity Workout w/him.  I like to watch.  She is so encouraging to him as she runs around.  "You're almost there, Daddy"!

2.  We are praying together nightly.  Her prayer tonight, "Dear God, thank you for breakfast, play dates & hopscotch".  Um....she has never had a play date that was not family & she doesn't know how to play hopscotch.  Where does she get this stuff from?

3.  My husband left to play golf yesterday morning and didn't say goodbye to me because I was in the shower.  She came into the bathroom when I got out of the shower, with her arms folded and pouting.  When I asked her what was wrong, "Daddy didn't say bye to you before he left!  He didn't even come into the bathroom!"

4.  Teaching your child her anatomy and yours can be dangerous.  She walked into the kitchen with her shirt off, pointed to her nipple and said, "Mommy, this is my breast.  Where is your breast?"  :-/  Maybe she can get a bra for Christmas!

5.  Today we had an argument in the toy store.  She wanted an umbrella that she saw.  It looked like a tug of war.  I was trying to keep my voice down and ask her to please let it go.  She was screaming, "I had it first, it's mine, you need to share!"  OH.....night night didn't come fast enough tonight!

It's Okay Thursday!

You know the drill......

* to buy several clearance holiday items and forget where you packed them or that you had them, and buy them all over again next year!

* to delete FB friends that just wont stop posting about that election.......

* to not be finished/or have started your Christmas shopping.  Hello....I do work...sort of

* to not have your Christmas Decorations up.....my daughter needs to understand that Thanksgiving comes after Halloween. :-)

* to have several borrowed workout videos from the library and not use a one!  But, I keep rechecking them out!  Someone help me!

* to have had this blog for almost a year and still not know how everything works. :-/

* to hope that some desks will be cleared out completely when you get to work in the morning.

* to enjoy Real Housewives of Atlanta...."Wig!!!"

Please follow me and comment!  I love them both!!!

Patience is a virtue

I just had to share a deal I found at the local Hobby Lobby! I have been wanting this decorative pumpkin with an area for initials. I finally went there determined to buy this $30 pumpkin and $2 decal! Well, to my surprise, the Fall items were no longer 50% off, they were 80% off. So, I got the pumpkin and the decal for $6.40!! I love a good deal!!!!  So head to Hobby Lobby and check out all their Fall items, while it's still Fall!

WW: Golf anyone?

She just had to check out her swing at the new Dick's!

Kris Kross?

I'm not sure if any of you are old enough to remember the group Kris Kross from the 90s. Well, this weekend my daughter gave me a blast from the past moment. It was after her nap and we were getting ready to go to the store. She wanted to get herself ready and I was more than happy to let her. When I saw her dressed with her boots on, I was so happy! I looked immediately to see if the boots were on the right feet and they were. Great job, Ladybug! Then, while putting on her jacket......I saw this......

That's right, she had them on backwards.  Gotta love this girl!!

She wanted everyone to see her sparkling boots!!  She just cracks me up!!!

Proverbs 22:6

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. 

I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you how difficult and rewarding raising a child can be. Along with the everyday challenges of teaching them right from wrong, is teaching them about having a relationship with Christ. I struggled with the best age appropriate way to teach her outside of Sunday school at church.

Well, we took a family outing to Mardel to look for something to aid us in this process. I found it to be a little bit of a challenge because a lot of the books were geared towards children that were older, even though it said they were for "toddlers" or "preschoolers". We were about to leave & then I saw the clearance shelf. I found this book and it appeared to be what we were looking for. The stories are short and they have questions and character building activities to do at the end of each story. Something that I wished it had was little prayers, but we usually incorporate something from the questions at the end of the chapter into our prayers.

This has been such a blessing because it has really been on my heart to help Ladybug build her knowledge and relationship with Christ. She absolutely loves the book and actually wanted to read it tonight for her bedtime story. That really made my heart smile!

She also shared the story of Adam and Eve with me. Her father read it to her this afternoon while I was getting groceries.

Me: What was this story about?
Ladybug: Don't eat the apple said the boy, don't eat the apple said the girl.
Me: Were they supposed to eat the apple?
Ladybug: No! They were not being good listeners.
Me: What do you know about God?
Ladybug: He made everything and he helps people. He is in the Bible and he is older. =)

She has to be the smartest 2 year old I know! I love this little lady!!!

Oh, below is the book that we ended up getting. I absolutely love it! Please leave a friendly comment! Follow and I always try to follow back! Have a wonderful Monday!!!

Saying her prayers.  Love this girl!

Saturday Top 5 Laughs!!

Hello all!  This has been a crazy week and I have not done jack with the blog!  Well, the life of a working mother!!!  Hopefully my quest to be on here more will kick into gear!  Well, as always, please enjoy my post, link up and follow me if you like what you see!

Saturday Top 5 Laughs!!

1.  Ladybug waited too long to take a break from playing to go to the bathroom.  Needless to say she was running, slid on the laundry & had an accident on her daddy's shirt.  =)  I just had to smile to myself on that one.

2.  Ladybug is currently watching Veggie Tales in the backseat.  I just love to hear her sing about loving and helping your neighbor.

3.  Ladybug's new saying, "Hey....what's the big idea"!

4.  Ladybug is working on a book of thankfulness @ school (daycare).  Each day she gets a page sent home to fill the book.  She made a tree yesterday and all the leaves on the tree were her stuffed animals.  But, she did have two leaves that said, Mommy and Daddy.  :-/

5.  Another Ladybug saying, "I can't do anything"!  This is her new thing to say when she is not allowed to do something that she wants to do.

Saturday's Top Five Laughs!

I missed last week, but that's okay!  I have been so busy with work and trying to get back into the swing of working out and managing a house, Blogger has taken another backseat.  But, I love this link up so much, that my current insomnia has me back at it again!!!  Happy reading!  Don't forget to link up and post your own Top 5 Laughs!  If you like what you read, follow me!  I love getting new followers!!!

Saturday's Top Five Laughs!

 1. Last week I was driving Ladybug home from school.  She was watching her tv in the backseat & having a snack.  Her show was over, so she started clapping.  She asked me to clap with her, but I told her I couldn't b/c I was driving and needed to keep my hands on the wheel.  Her response: 
Ladybug:  Mommy clap with me
Me:  I can't honey, I'm driving.
Ladybug:  Mommy!  Ugh!  You're being prejudice!  You're making me crazy!
Me:  ---GASP---slight swerve on the road---small smile--Clapping now.....
Ladybug:  Thank you!
So, I eventually ask her where she heard this word.  Well, her previous video selection for the car was Martha Speaks.  I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with those, but they often have new vocabulary words.  Well, "prejudice" was one of the words they learned.  Martha, who is a dog, was prejudice against a cat.  So....somehow my not wanting to clap at the end of the Berenstein Bears, made me prejudice.
And that ladies and gentlemen is why I have grey hair!!!!

2.  Very excited to attend Ladybug's Halloween Party, I get there and help get her dressed.  She joins her friends on the floor for story time while I start getting my camera ready.  Then....she looks and sees that I am still there.
Ladybug:  Mommy...leave and go to your house and I will stay here.
Well, I of course ignore her until she says it 2 more times and gets louder each time.
Ladybug:  Mommy...go home!
We will just say that she was concerned that she would have to go home and leave the Halloween festivities. :-/

3.  I try not to share too much about my job, but I work with children.  This was a conversation that took place.
Child:  Who are you voting for this year?
Adult: Well let's see.  Who is running this year?
Child:  Barack Obama and that other guy
Adult:  Do you know that Other Guy's name?
Child:  No.
Adult:  Mitt Romney
Child:  Rick Rozzi?
LOL!  So, I think I have my write in candidate now!  Rozzi 2012!  Um...did I mention this kid is only in the 3rd grade?  :-/

4.  I was making up the bed in my bedroom when Ladybug came in.  I questioned her about the popcorn pieces in bed and asked her if she knew where they came from.  She informed me that my husband had made the mess in the room and he wasn't being a good listener.  ;-)

5.  Ladybug loves The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  She makes everyone....EVERYONE...come into the living room with her to dance.  No matter what you are doing or wearing....you have to dance or she will not stop calling you.  So.....Monday....we were all partially dressed in the living room dancing!  ......the things you do for kids......

Freaky Friday w/Pinterest!!!

If you know anything about me, you know that I absolutely love Halloween, Pinterest & spending time with my Ladybug!!! So, it should be no surprise that last night we put all of those together! My little Ladybug made the cutest cookies for her class at school! She was really excited to bring something for Freaky Friday!

Thank you Pinterest for making the supplies minimal!  I used frosting instead b/c the tube icing they used was 2x as much as the icing!

Working very hard to unwrap the candy without dropping it on the floor or in her mouth.

She really enjoyed this project!  We were all smiles!

Her first Witch's Hat!  She did wonderfully! 

A little messy, but she had a great time!  I'm sure the kids at school will love this Freaky Friday treat!