Valentines Day

It's that time of year again. Cards, flowers, balloons and sparkly things are everywhere. And for some this day is filled with sadness and longing.

I get it. I use to be a Grinch on Valentines day. I never got special cards or flowers or candy unless the teacher made it mandatory. I always felt like there was a huge "Lonely, Single and Sad" sign posted above my head for the world to see. But after high school I decided to look at this day differently...

Although this may be a Hallmark-made holiday I enjoy celebrating it now. Not only do I have the most amazing husband and the most adorable son, but I have so many around that I love dearly and who love me. I am a believer in telling the ones you love how much you love them every day...but why not have a day to celebrate love?

It was for love that the Father sent the Son to earth. It was for love that the Son suffered and died on the cross. It was for love that He rose again 3 days later. And it was for love that He intercedes on our behalf. Now that is a reason to celebrate!

Living Intentionally

That is our family motto this year.

Living intentionally


Philippians 3:12-14 says
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."


We want to be intentional about our lives...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. We have kept ourselves at arm's length from everything for so long...scared of being hurt. But no longer. 


We have finally found a church that we are excited to be a part of. We knew from the moment we walked in and sat down that this was where we were suppose to be. We hadn't darkened the doorway of a church for almost 4 years because of past experiences, but we knew that we needed fellowship and needed to "get our hands dirty." And we want our son to grow up in a community of believers.


This has been a challenging motto for me this year (and it's only February!) but I am committed to mending broken relationships, creating and sustaining new ones, loving my boys better, getting involved in a outreach ministry, pursuing my King and living each day intentionally...with a purpose

Organize!!!

I l.o.v.e pintrest.com!

It is the most amazing site ever! I must say "thank you, thank you, THANK YOU" to Whitney Miller for sharing this with me.


This site is full of ideas and inspiration. It allows you to "pin" your favorite items/ideas and view them later. You can also see what your friends are "pinning"

So today is the day I actually put this site to good use. Today...8/5/2011...I am organizing my kitchen!  I have spent a few hours this morning collecting ideas and making a shopping list. Granted it is not a large kitchen, and we won't be here for much longer, but I need this.

I had a melt down a few days ago....that lasted a few days! We have been house hunting and the stress of it all just punched my emotions' lights out. :) So Eddie and I are working from home today, Raye is coming down to spend time with us, and I am organizing my kitchen! :)

I'll let you know how it goes... :)

Wish me luck!

Oh and here is just a cute picture of Eddie

Dancing Baby!

This wonderful, crazy, adorable child is mine :) And I am so grateful that he is...

30 Things I Have Learned

I sometimes wonder why I keep a blog :) I am awful at maintaining it.

Eddie is almost 8 months now. Sunday marks the big 8 month birthday. So I have compiled a list of 30 things that I have learned along this 8 month journey. Granted, I am not a supermom...yet ;)....some of the list items may appall you...some will make you laugh (either with me or at me)...and some may bring back fond memories of your babies (grab a tissue ladies!).

So grab yourself something chocolate...I won't tell...and maybe a cup of coffee. Here we go:

1. Little boys can pee on you even when you are standing 15 feet away
2. Boogers...they won't kill the kid. If he pops one in his month just sigh and move on
3. Once the little man starts crawling, he will find any and EVERYTHING...even after you have vacuumed and picked up and mopped.
4. My house is no longer my house. It is Eddie's play ground/optical course
5. I can't help but smile when I tell Eddie "no" and he gives me that killer smile. I don't know how I will ever discipline if he keeps that up!
6. When babies learn to pull themselves up, anything will be used...hair, shirts, beds, coffee tables, lamps, legs, walls, pillows, chairs, cats, dogs, trash cans, clothes hampers, diaper bags...you name it!
7. Eddie still loves to cuddle...But only in the morning and right before bed
8. The cat's food must be placed in another room or on higher ground
9. I never get to finish a cup of coffee
10. I don't mind not finishing my cup of coffee
11. Grandparents ROCK.
12. Photo albums should be bought in bulk
13. The new baby smell is still there...sometime hidden...but still there
14. I don't like it when strangers touch my baby
15. Even when your child sleeps through the night, there are some nights when he is wide awake at 2 in the morning.
16. Solid food are awesome...especially the faces that goes along with each new taste
17. I still check on him during the night...and sometimes I just watch him sleep. I love listening to the sweet sounds he makes at night while he is dreaming.
18. When he is hungry...he is HUNGRY! He doesn't even give fare warning! I now always keep something close by to distract him until I can get his food ready
19. My love for him grows and grows and grows and grows and grows and grows....
20. You learn to read his mind...kinda. This helps to prevent some things from happening (putting the cats tail, pulling the bookcase over, getting his fingers caught)
21. I will not buy anymore toys. Everyone else can give him toys but he only plays with the boxes and with my tupperware...even a diaper has amused him for a good 30 mins.
22. Those fingernails are SUPER sharp sometimes. I have many scratches to prove it!
23. I love the way he studies my face
24. When you child says ANYTHING resembling "mama", your heart almost explodes!
25. I don't know if I will ever get use to the smell of a dirty diaper
26. I never liked being by myself...but now I now cherish the moments I have to myself. (going to a movie, eating my breakfast, playing on the computer...even just going potty without having to hurry!) :)
27. Patience is the key. I'll be honest...sometimes I get so stressed that I want to punch a wall...but life goes on, situations are momentary and lessons are always learned.
28. I am grateful for my husband more and more every day. I don't know how I would anything without him. He is my rock, my provider, my love, my partner...I could go on and on...but enough of that mushy stuff.
29. You can baby-proof all you want...they will still find something to get into
30. Finally...watching your husband play with, teach, kiss, cuddle, kiss and sleep with your son = the most beautiful thing you will ever witness.

Eddie riding the rockin' worm!

Playing in the kitty's food

Eating big boy food in his big boy chair

Visiting Nannie (his great grandma)

These are just a few of the things I have learned over the past few months. I love motherhood...I love my son...I love my husband...I love my life

Thank you to all who read and keep up with my blog.

Until all have heard,
Mel

"You're just too good to be true....

Can't take my eyes off of you..."

This has been the song in my head for a couple of weeks now.

Yes...Eddie has started to MOVE! :) He hasn't mastered moving his arms and legs in sync yet, but he has mastered the army crawl (video coming soon!). I seriously can't take my eyes off this child for a moment. He is so much more alert and active. His favorite toys right now are balls and my empty water bottles...he likes to chase them!

I LOVE this stage!

Six and a half months....can you believe it?

And boy have we been busy! As of June 3rd, Eddie  has learned to get up on all fours. He hasn't actually started crawling yet...but he rocks, sways and tumbles :) He has also learned that if he rolls and rolls again and rolls again he can move himself to where his toys are! The other day I put him on his play mat at one end of the living room, left the room for a second to get my phone and when I came back he was clear across the room gnawing on my dining room chair legs!

So he keeps us on our toes. But we are absolutely loving every second.

Eddie is a real lady's man too! He is constantly getting hugs and kisses and attention from all the ladies we come in contact with. No wonder....with those big beautiful blue eyes and that killer smile :) He gets that from his daddy...

In May we went to Aunt Raye Raye's high school gradutation

At the end of May we went to visit friends and family in Oklahoma. We met Kera (our niece) for the first time and instantly fell in love. Here she is giving Eddie some sweet loving:

Josh (Ed's brother) and Whitney renewed their vows...we caught up with friends....and Ed took me down his memory lane. 

We are so excited about the summer. Mom and Dad's pool should be ready soon and I cannot wait to take Eddie swimming for the first time. We also have a beach trip in July! So many crazy days ahead...