Have you ever wondered what your life would be life if…?

My goal lately has been to live in the moment. This lesson was a Bible study that I heard several weeks ago that has been on my mind. How often do you live in the moment? I mean fully live in this exact moment? When you are sitting in church listening to the sermon, are you making your to do list in your head rather than taking in that exact moment? (I am.) When you are driving in your car from place to place, are you living in that exact moment? (I am usually struggling to entertain my children, focus on driving, and talking on my cell phone.) When you are with your children, do you drink in every drop of that moment? (I don’t. I am usually saying, “I can only play for one more minute. Then, I have to get dinner started.”) Wow, are there really that many moments that I miss? Are there that many moments that I do not take full advantage of by living in it completely?

I had always thought that my multi-tasking ability was one of my best attributes. Now, I am not so sure. That attribute might be in part responsible for making my mind race and wonder when I should be living my fullest life in every moment. Do I sometimes make wrong decisions or wrong turns in life because I am not in the moment? Would I have the opportunity to enjoy life and my children more if I was in the moment? Would I hear and feel God more within those focused moments?

James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Regardless your religious preference…we most believe in one thing: life is short here on earth.

We know life is short. We know we are not promised tomorrow, yet I allow my moments to get stolen.

It is difficult to focus on living within each moment. My brain has been trained to multi-task, to rush through each activity to get to the next, to be productive, to make my decisions based on a quick response not giving myself time to consider what I think and feel or meditate on God’s desires. Try it. Try to be consumed with each and every moment today. IF you are talking to your preschooler, put your entire self into that conversation. My preschooler talks so much that it is really difficult. My eyes glaze over after a while. Do you know my biggest flaw? My most difficult thing I overcome every day? To focus on a task. My mind wanders while I write. It wanders while I fold clothes. My mind wanders and races so I venture into another task or thought. Would I actually be more productive if I lived within the moment? Would I actually (gasp) enjoy or actually complete putting away laundry?


What would my life be IF I lived within every moment? I wonder…

"Happy Mudders Day" & Thoughts About Being a Mommy

Mommy. Mama. Mother. Mamamamamama. Mom. These are the names that altered my life forever. That title of Mommy is the first time that I felt complete purpose for my life. It changed my perspectives. It changed my fears. It changed my goals. It changed my life.



Motherhood...a place that I never thought I would want to be. I assumed if I did ever become a mommy it would be a mom with a career, a nanny, a cleaning crew, and a nice, stylish wardrobe. I did not even plan on making a lot of money. I had dreams and plans of working or creating a non-profit organization to protect/support/advocate for children.



I know so many that dream and fight to have a baby of their own or through the gift of adoption. They have fought paperwork, time, money, infertility, tests, tears, miscarriages, and disappointment working toward experiencing the wonderful gift of motherhood. A gift that is easy to take for granted when you're tired and overwhelmed. My heart goes out to those that go through those trials and tribulations in their journey. There are so many sweet, innocent babies out there that need mothers. I pray and pray that they will find their way into their arms. I know a time after my miscarriage that I felt pain like no other. I felt like I lost a gift before I ever had the opportunity to treasure it.



When I became pregnant, I remember looking for a nanny to help when the baby came. I remember thinking (despite how wonderful and qualified the person was) that there was no way I wanted this individual raising my baby. You know what? I finally came to the conclusion that I was the only one that I wanted raising my baby. Then, I had to break it to my husband. I am finished with working. I will now be a stay at home mom...over night...decision made. One baby changed my mind...my life.



Time after time I feel frustration, confusion, overwhelmed, exhaustion, and just plain dumb as a mother. I heard a statement recently that explained it all. It's not that I have lost brain cells as a mommy. Rather, I just have so much more to do, think about, and worry about as a mommy. I do not have enough brain cells to go around!



However, more often than not, I feel admiration from my kids. My girls are two little people that tell me and think day after day that I am pretty as a princess....even with my glasses, ponytail, and sweatpants. I feel unconditional love when their sweet voices say "I love you, Mommy". I feel happy when my silly faces and "tickle tackles" make them giggle contagiously. I feel secure when they fall asleep beside me and reach out to snuggle in their sleepy state. I feel an overwhelmed need to protect when they cry or hurt, they run to me for comfort, a kiss, or a band-aide. I know for now...a short, very short time....I can make their hurts better.

I want to give my children so much. Most of all, I want them to be happy, healthy and strong. I want them to see God's love through my love. Yes, it is challenging at times. If I cannot show them Christ-like love, then who can I expect to show them the love of Christ.



I know that I would give anything, anything at all, for my children....my body, my time, my thoughts, my nights, my days, my life.



Yes, I would die for them...in a heartbeat...without a moment of hesitation. Could I let them die for me? Honestly, NO, I could not.



When I became a mother, I realized the sacrifice and love that God showed us when He gave us His Son to save us.



Wow...there are no further words to express that kind of sacrifice.



I love you my sweet girls. Thank you for making mother's day my favorite day of the year...the day that reminds me what a blessing being a mother truly is. LaLa and Little Bit, my mom used to tell me that you will never know a mother's love until you become one. It is so true....I will love you both....forever and always.

Love, Mommy



May all of you, Mommies or soon to be Mommies, have a very happy and special Mother’s Day.

Just so you know...

Just so you know...

FIRST, I have been married seven years today. Hubby and I decided that we definitely need a "do over" because we're all sick...yes, still. I can't believe it has been seven years. Isn't it crazy how time flies so fast the older you get?

SECOND, Hubby and I got to escape and have a date out on Saturday. Let me just tell you how that one worked! It is a great depiction of how our world works! We had snow...lots of wonderful snow on Friday. When we woke up Saturday, it was still absolutely beautiful outside. Robert and I decided that we would take advantage of my mom's offer to babysit even though we weren't feeling very well. Our thoughts were that we have been stuck inside all week and shuttling kids to the doctor's office so we would probably feel better if we got out and about. We went to eat at a restaurant called the Oakwood. As we drove up, we noticed there were no cars...they were closed due to the weather. We took it in stride. Now, that we were running a little behind schedule, we decided to just try Longhorns. We had to rush to make it in time for the movie, but we ate quickly and went on our way.

We drove up to the theatre to find a very empty parking lot...once again. Yep, you've got it. They were closed until two due to the weather. Robert looked over at me and asked what did I want to do now. We had a couple hours left. You'll never guess what I chose to do with my two hours of valentine/anniversary date?! I voted on going to the doctor. I figured that I had already had Robert's stomach bug that he blessed our family with and then ended up with LaLa's cold/sinus/chest congestion...so I mine as well go to the doctor. It was either that or end up taking both of my girls with me to the doctor this week.

I now have antibiotics and medicine. Hopefully, I will be better soon! LaLa is getting better everyday. Little Bit woke up stuffy with a runny nose this morning...hmmm...been down this road before!


NOW, for the fun part...Do you know today is President's Day?!

JUST SO YOU KNOW...on President's day, the post office is not open! I'll add it to my list of things that I know now!:)


     Here is Aidan's shirt for the winner of the giveaway, Cathie. I hope he enjoys it! I'll mail it tomorrow...assuming the post office will be open! It's not a holiday...is it?! I'm sending the doggy outlet cover too (from last week), but the "moo cow" will have to stay here!8) Congrats again! If you didn't win this time, try back next month for another giveaway!

Where Has The Drama Gone?

Oh, don't worry! This mama's drama is still here...just slacking on the blogging scene! It's drama filled and simply wonderful! That is the unexplainable thing about being a mama...the good, the bad, and the ugly is still fantastic because it's with your family!

I am simply blogging today to share updates from our crazy world!

1. We have decided...as of this moment (you know how my brain works) to homeschool the girls next year. I have made a list (actually multiple lists) of ideas and pros and cons. I'm very intimidated and excited. As I was making my lists, the pros and cons were usually the same items! I'll share my crazy, conjured fears and anxieties on another day!

2. We are beating the colds and runny noses going around in our house. I think everyone is feeling better! Let me just say that I am so tired of runny noses! I have figured out a couple of things...Butt Paste or A&D Ointment is perfect to put on sore noses. I also discovered that Highland's products are great. They are homeopathic and have no side effects. Also, cloth diapers are great to wipe noses...my children call them snotty rags, which makes me laugh. Baby wipes are not good to wipe noses. They burn.

3. Crayons and markers should be put up and out of little hands reach. The dogs and children in my life are determined to put the markers in their mouth, write on non-paper items, and/or eat them. Yes, I buy only non toxic everything for this reason. Previously, I thought it would hamper their creativity to put such things out of their reach. Now, I may throw them out the windows...so I opted on just trying to put them out of their reach for now!

4. My husband and I have fun, exciting news that is very rare in our world. First, we are going out on a date...like a real date where you leave your house and without children...this weekend. I am leaving my children with my husband and going to a friend's house to scrapbook this weekend. My scrapbooks have been neglected for several years so I am thrilled...and I hope my house and children survive without me here! The best is still coming. You will never, ever believe it. You will be so jealous. You might hunt me down just to bop me on the head. We are going on a cruise. We are validating it by saying it's for my 30th birthday, his birthday, our Valentines day, and our anniversary present. (I'm thinking maybe he'll forget about it by my birthday and still get me something wonderful! ha-ha) My mom will be watching our girls, and we are going away. My husband is eagerly researching excursions and events on the cruise. I plan to sleep, eat, read, and write...in that order! I will even be able to go potty and shower without little heads peeking in to ask what I am doing! You can only understand the great appreciation of that if you have small children!

5. Last but not least, I have made it a goal of mine to work more consistently on writing. A friend of mine is a great writer. She writes primarily about marriage, couples, and love, which we all need guidance in! She has become a great source of information and encouragement in my quest to be a writer. I have several submissions that I will be working on over the next few months. I am hoping just one gets accepted! I think a lot of times we never try things because we just don't want to fail. However, if we don't try, we will never know! I'm trying to throw out the excuses and FOCUS (oooh...there's my word for 2010 again!). Feel free to keep me accountable! Just drive me crazy until I can finally say that I have done it!

Now, after all of those updates and ramblings, you can probably understand why our mama drama is in high intensity! Since I did not leave you with much inspiration, I will share this link. Click on the different links on the bottom of the post. Be prepared to waste lots of time, make lists of projects you want to try, and be inspired! Good luck!

A New Mama Plan: Time, Money, Children

Our New Year's Sign hanging from our breakfast room chandelier welcoming in 2010. I cut these letters out using my Sizzex machine (one of my favorite "toys") LaLa enjoyed glueing them on and trying to 'find' the letter as I made its sound for to put together each word...teachable moment that she didn't even notice! Our sign added a nice, child-friendly addition to our dinner on New Years Eve!

Hello, 2010! Can you believe it is 2010 already? I can't. The New Year always gets me thinking and analyzing everything. I step back and revaluate...maybe a bit too much! We started off the New Year in the mountains of north Georgia in a beautiful cabin nestled between moutains and a small creek. It was relaxing and beautiful...plenty of time for my mind to continue its New Year evaluations. My favorite part of the trip? Well, gettting away to enjoy family, of course, but let me just tell you...the HUGE amazing tub that even heated while you were in it was a close second!

I'm excited about lots of new ideas and plans for my mama drama blog this upcoming year! I figured that we have 365 days ahead of us this year. There are so many opportunities to improve ourselves and make our homes and families happier! The three things (whether we want to admit or not) that we, mamas, worry the most about are usually time, money, and our children. That is what I am going to focus on in my mama world and in my blog because honestly....that is what we all need extra help in especially with the economy and being pulled in multiple directions!

I hope as I experiment, learn, and share new ideas to save money and time as a mama (and as a woman) that it will help you, as well as me, become happier and more able to enjoy my children! I will still share our drama in our house...just for fun...because I know it always makes me feel less crazy and a little more sure of my own mama drama when I can laugh and shake my head at someone elses! Hopefully, our drama will do the same for you!

Mama Plan for 2010...Saving Time and Money...and Enjoying my Children!

This week: Need to get your children to eat? I have cheap, creative, and sneaky ideas! Shhh..don't tell my children...or my husband!