Have We Lost Our Ever-Living Minds?

DaddyBoy is having a birthday on Friday. So, in his honor we have lost our minds. I'm sure it will be good blogging material but in the process I may go bonkers {or lose the wonderful relationship I have with my sister & her husband... who have NO children}. Just to give you a little hint here's what is coming up later this week (it involves the following)...

2 dogs
+
Chance & Morgan

+
Justin's mother's suburban

{no, this is not actually hers... hers doesn't have the pimped rims}

+
Justin & Raiger

+

4 week-old John Martin

+
me

{which Chance has already mentioned that he wishes JM was still in utero}

+

MommaSissy
{who will be making this face the whole 12 hour trip... can we get her some Xanax PLEASE?}

Oh and we're pulling one of these... {b/c DaddyBoy wants to borrow it... apparently you can't find trailers in Illinois?}
So, yes that makes 7 human beings, 2 dogs, 1 trailer, Suburban and a 600+ mile road trip for the WEEKEND! Should be interesting! I'm already praying that John Martin will sleep the whole way! And that once we get there Erika and Chance will still speak to us!

Thanks!

A very BIG THANK YOU for all your encouraging words & support for my new shop! It's been a fun experience and I hope to add more goodies soon! Some in the form of squirrels & lions by special request!

In other news, the baby is getting fat and there are few things I love more than a fat baby {ok, slight exaggeration, there are a lot of things I love more but you know what I mean}! This isn't a great picture but my picture taking abilities have been somewhat challenged lately. He turned 4 weeks on Monday and he's getting to be a hefty little guy. I could eat his chubby cheeks & furrowed brow to pieces!

The house is screaming "PLEASE COME CLEAN ME!"

The laundry is screaming "PLEASE COME PUT ME AWAY!"

Today I have broken my very own rule of doing housework before blogging... so I better post quickly and get back to the grindstone!

ps- I just want to let y'all know what an encouragement you are to me. From the emails to the comments I truly feel blessed by this blogging community... can we call it that? I had so much fun on my "pretend trip" last week that my wheels are turning about another interactive post!

Bandwagon

I did it.
I joined the BANDWAGON.

The bandwagon of stay-at-home mother's who need an outlet {or in this case to supplement the family income}.

It's called Happy Scraps.

I've been in my sweatshop every waking hour for the last 2 weeks putting these little things together.

I put a little "widget" over there too-------->

Just In Case...

any one tries to call... John Martin is napping. His sister { I'm not sure which} apparently was afraid he'd miss an important call during his nap. This is not the first time I've found the poor child adorned with random toys. I couldn't help but smile... life with kids is the best {today at least}!

Home Again, Home Again... Jiggity Jig!

Thanks to all you uber creative people who took me on one long, fun, wild ride yesterday! From crab eating in MD to wine tasting in Napa {and every place in between} I had a wonderful time on my vacation. I took a picture of myself smiling {which I did {smile-- not take pictures of myself} over and over again as I read the comments} in front of my computer to show y'all that I truly was enjoying my vacation. But after uploading the picture I couldn't get over how exhausted and old I looked... I guess birthing 3 kids and no sleep can wreak havoc on a girls face {& body}! It might be time to hit the patio {w/SPF of course} for a little sun.

I even printed off my excursion {all 11 pages of it} to read over and over again so that my daydream journey to play with all my friends can be relived again & again! If you didn't get a chance to look at where all I've been check out the comments. I had fun and I hope y'all did too! If I had a money tree {or a hybrid} I might even make my daydream come true! Thanks for playing, I love to see some creative juices flowing.

I hope y'all have a fun and safe weekend. I know a lot y'all probably read E's blog... but if you don't please keep a precious friend in your prayers this weekend. They're dealing with BIG STUFF and thankfully they trust that our God is BIGGER!

All the pictures above came from Flickr... from a very talented PixieGenne I may have a new hobby: decoupage! {Of course she BLOGS & ETSY's} Seriously, I've done some decoupage in my days and I do believe it's time to revisit it!

Can We Play Pretend, Please?

One year ago I was traveling north with my husband and 2 children to visit my parents farm and attend my cousin's wedding. I took the self-portrait above while swinging on the porch. Seeing as how we're not exactly in any state to be travelling {at least for a little while} I'd like to pretend. In my game of pretend I hope to not be the only player so please play with me {even the stalkers--- and you can be anonymous if you so choose so that no one will know who you are or where you live}. I'd like to pretend that I am getting ready to go on a vacation/road trip. I don't want to pay for anything but gas... so I'm going to come to your town and stay in your house {don't worry I won't stay more than a couple days, I promise. And don't worry if it is a mess... I'll feel right at home, trust me!}. What will we do when I get there? You can plan a little or you can plan a lot. Ok people, let's be creative!! You never know, you people may tickle my fancy so much that I really may come see you! If you live in my town or a town I previously have lived in {which I'd rather not broadcast... but some of you know} I'd still like to come stay with you too so please play along. And trust me there's no place I don't want to go... so please don't think your town/home is too boring for me!

I'll start packing now...

Eye Candy {x2}...

well at least to me...

These rather "vintage" patterns {along with about 12 others} were hand-delivered to me today {along with some very special words of encouragement} from the mother of a friend and I can't wait to use them... especially that "Simplicity: JIFFY" on the left!

Hope you all are having wonderful Wednesdays!

They're gone... so I'm off!

Wow, y'all have once again encouraged me by letting me know that I'm not the only one on the planet that occasionally can't stand disagrees with her husband! I have a feeling by the overwhelming response in the comments section that a lot of you stay at home mom's would like to trade roles w/ your hubby for a couple days! {Not that our husbands don't appreciate us... I'm certain if we attempted their jobs we'd gain much appreciation of them too!} I often wish I had a "typepad" blog because I'd like to respond to each of your comments individually... unfortunately blogger doesn't have such a feature so I don't know how to find 1/2 of you! Maybe I'll move... I've thought about it numerous times... especially since our name is plastered across our blog for any creep to come find us... it's not like we're the Smith's or something. Ok, now I'm just thinking out loud.

The girls are at Mother's Morning Out this morning and thankfully were taken there by their GiGi {aka Justin's mother} so I'm going to attempt to take John Martin on a few errands. It seems like it's been ages {really did I just say that.... it's not even been a year and half} since I had to haul around a baby car seat carrier... perhaps I'll put that new sling to good use!! I've had minimal sleep, a Diet Coke and a sleeve of Fig Newtons... I think I'm good to go! I want Erika to come visit me and bring her camera... I really thought my pictures were good... until I've seen hers. Erika, I will post no more pictures of the children until you come and see them in person {and take some pictures with your new mac-daddy camera}!

Hydracodone + Blogging=...

I rationed out my pain killers and had one little pill left for a time such as this! And now that the painkiller is in my system I'm feeling up to a little blog post! I took a trip to Walmart by myself this afternoon... bought enough groceries for a small army and by the time I got home with my very large stash I was certain I would pass out from the pain. But rather than get in bed like I should have... I decided I'd stand in a hot kitchen and brown the 5 lbs of ground beef that I purchased and put it in the freezer for another day... by the time the browning was done... I was done. So, now in a drug-induced state I'll post about our weekend.

People always like to blog about how sweet and loving their husbands are. How come I've never read a post about fighting with your husband? Well, this may be a first! Honestly we had a rough start to the weekend and several harsh words were exchanged... nothing explicative in nature {although that has happened too, I've even thrown pizza on the floor} but words that aren't nice and hurtful. Even though no one ever blogs about fights with their husbands, I imagine most of y'all have them. If not, I think you might not be telling the truth. So, our weekend didn't start off too good. Thankfully we've reconciled and are on the same page now... praise the Lord! I really feel like there's not much a lower feeling than to be at odds with your husband. We seem to always argue over things that I imagine most of y'all argue over... time & money {or the lack thereof for both}. I think eventually we'll come to the realization that we are both doing the best we can and hopefully we are working towards recognizing each other's needs. I often feel like Paul when he says in Romans 7 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Thankfully we both realize the depth of our depravity {and if we don't recognize it we have each other to remind us of it... which my husband is extremely skilled in confessing other people's sin} which continually points us to our need of Savior. If you need help seeing your sin... just get married and ask your spouse; I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help you see your need for a Savior!

Saturday was pretty low key. Justin had to do some work stuff in the morning and again in the afternoon how dare him work on a Saturday, what is he thinking! Does he not love us and want to be here with us! Does he not think about me, I'm here everyday with these children, what about ME, ME, ME?! to provide for his newly expanded family. The girls played Play-doh {that a genius mother of 4 brought when she brought dinner last week!!} It's always so fun to see them be creative and then be so proud of the work that they have done.

Today we didn't make it to church but rather took it easy around the house this morning. A couple other families joined us for lunch & swimming and by the time all of this was said and done we had 3 children who were completely pooped out. The girls hit the sack and I hit Walmart. And well here I am now, in a hydracodone stupor blogging from my bed with John Martin who has just done a massive poopy explosion. This situation seems fairly familiar. I believe in his 2 short weeks on this planet I've been blogging with him in bed and it's all come to an end with a poopy explosion... off for diaper duty! By the way... this whole "outdoor plumbing" thing that boys have going on... is taking some MAJOR getting used to!! Good night!!

You People...

are SO nice & I want to be JUST LIKE YOU!

I just want to let y'all know how much I appreciate your emails, comments and ummm, yes, your gifts! I wrote "Benefits of Blogging: Take 1" with the premonition that a blog like this might follow.

Above my desk I have scribbled on a business card... "He died for me. This truth ALONE is reason enough to be grateful for the remainder of my days!" And while that truth not only sets me free but gives me great hope & joy I consider each of you a "cherry on top" to the fact that I have a Savior who died for me. Y'all are some super generous, caring, and compassionate people and if ever a blog could be used for His glory I hope this one is... because He certainly is using y'all to encourage me... through not only your thoughts {& words} but also your selfless actions!!!

Some of you thoughtful givers I know in real life... like my friend Katie in Tallahassee, who was in a couples Bible study with us! She's a friend that I've kept up with primarily through blogging and I love her heart. She and her hubs are devout Catholics and we went through a couple studies {one on the Gospel of John and a Covenant Study by Kay Arthur} together and I always valued their input from a perspective that I knew {and still know} little about. She sent me a package last week and in it was a little something for me... a pedicure at a local salon. Would y'all believe that I have never {in my LIFE} had a pedicure?! I've had a "polish change" but never a pedicure! I know I'm post-partum but it brought tears to my eyes! Talk about being excited! I can't wait. Not to mention she included lots of precious things for JM too!

And... then there's Shelli, who went to Auburn, but is a "couple" years ahead of me and I know we've met in real life but ask me when and where and I couldn't tell you either... probably sorority rush. Anyway, she's my email and blogging friend and I feel like I know her like I know my own sister {who in real life lives 5 mins from Shelli's sister}. She has 3 little ones and always sends me encouraging emails when I post. She also would be a great partner in crime at any discount store {ie. TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls, IKEA} too bad we both have 3 kids and shopping trips for fun are few and far between {and I can't exactly speak for her, but I know for me I'd have to clean out the loose change that is collecting in my car "ash tray" to pay for my loot!}. Anyway, she sent us a precious care package a couple days ago... and in it was a "Bla Bla" for John Martin. Do y'all know about these things? I didn't until my friend Katie posted on them today! It's precious and his little eyes try so hard to focus on it's bright colors. She also included goodies for the girls & me!

And then last night the doorbell rang {again} and the kind UPS man left a package on my front steps... from: Eloise & Henry in Decatur, AL. My wheels started turning and I thought it must be from Jennie-Marie. She's one of those thoughtful givers you may have heard about on E's blog. She was a pledge sister of mine at Auburn and has blessed my children with the most precious things over the last 3 & 1/2 years. Well in the box were 2 bags {of the highest quality you've seen} from "Eloise & Henry" and the box smelled like heaven... yes, it smelled SOO good I could eat it {there was a grape scented sachet in there and the girls and I were drooling before we could even look inside the bags}.

The first one was for John Martin from Emma Hensley {the daughter of Jennie-Marie} and the second one was from Stephanie Gantt... the owner of "Eloise & Henry", a blog stalker that I have never met! Emma Hensley has the best taste and picked out the most beautiful outfit for John Martin and Stephanie has great taste herself and picked out a beautiful {and elegant} gown for me! Yes, I can sleep and nurse {yes, it's nursing-friendly and BEAUTIFUL!} in comfort & style and I cannot wait. Finally, I have something in my wardrobe that is just as soft as what is in John Martin's wardrobe... it ought to be that way if he's going to lay on me, right!?

The picture doesn't do it justice, but trust me they're both beautiful. They are made by Pixie Lily and I don't know what planet I've been on, but this is a brand I didn't know of! Oh my, both are heavenly and I can't wait to put my baby in his and me in mine!

I went for a 2 week check up yesterday and my doctor asked me if I had any post-partum blues. I told her that I had my "weepy" moments but that my mom had just left, I was recovering from major surgery, and I had 3 very young children at home... I mean who wouldn't be a little "weepy", right!? She said all of this is perfectly normal and she thinks I'm doing great! All I could think about was how encouraging all of YOU are to me! From the comments to the emails, you really do my heart good. I feel blessed beyond measure not only from my "blogging friends" but also those in "real life". My friend Tami not only brought us dinner this week but has had Morgan all day at the pool and came fully equipped this morning with Mylicon {because the fact that I thought John Martin was a good sleeper was short lived}. Another friend, Lindsey, brought us dinner and has offered numerous times to keep the girls at a moments notice. Andi also brought us dinner and has encouraged me so much because she's "been there and done that" with 3 little ones. One of Justin's best friend's mother has been here with blueberries, outfits and called me the morning my mother left and said she would do anything at all I needed... even the laundry! You've seen my piles... now that's a generous offer! Thanks, Janine!

This blog may take time away from "household duties" but I find it a complete blessing and honor to share my life with y'all and to read that most of y'all are going through the same things we are! Thanks for reading about the daily grind, praying for us and for showering us with so many blessings.

I really do think y'all are GREAT!! I know there's some country song about passing on the kindness that others show you to others {y'all help me here?} and I honestly have been so encouraged to do for others what you all have done for me!