Are You Still There???

Wow! Has it really been a month since I blogged? Let me start by saying, "HOW DO YOU WORKING MAMAS DO IT?!" That's my first question?! I am only working a little more than part time, and I feel like my lists are never done! I used to say that as a SAHM too? Are the lists ever done? I think part of my problem is I am used to doing everything...my way! Now, I am having to let go of that control...and settle for not perfection. I have a friend that works full time, teaches church nursery, dresses her little girl so cute, house is organized, sews, and is up to date on her kid's scrapbook...plus, she has a life with friends! How? How? How?

I love my friend, and I stand back at awe...a lot...at her abilities. Do you have a friend like that? Are you the friend like that? I think it is all about priorities. I'm working on figuring all of that out! Until then, I'm going to keep looking at my friend in awe. She looks at me funny when I ask her what the secret is?!

The other part of going back to work? There is mommy guilt regardless of what you do?! I had mommy guilt when I stayed at home. I have mommy guilt while I'm working. I have come to the conclusion that no matter what we do as moms, we will still be consumed by that mommy guilt. I feel guilty because I love my job so much. I know...crazy, right? I love the challenge and the break that it allows me to be a person rather a mom all of the time. Plus, eventually, it will allow us to give our kids the opportunity to attend a great private, Christian school.

You know what? I have to sit back and watch my kids sometimes. I try to remove my personal emotions from the situation and observe with an unbiased perspective. They do not seem irrevocably scarred or emotionally damaged. Their childhood is still magical and preserved. Mommy gets to go to school with LaLa three days a week, which she thinks is so "cool". Little Bit gets some one on one attention from her grandma three days a week. I think they might just make it out of this okay. I just have to remind myself that when I have a hard time remembering it!

I have some catching up to do! I have lots of Elmo party stuff from Little Bit's birthday. I'll post it on the blog soon if anyone is having an Elmo party soon. I'll probably sell it for ten dollars like I did the pirate stuff. I'll try to catch our family and friends up on our crazy, mama drama world! My goal is to post at 2-3 times a week! I'll try!

Be back soon!

Tammy

A Leap of FAITH!

OK. Imagine putting a blindfold on. Do you see it completely dark? Now, follow my voice and continue taking large steps closer and closer. As you take each step, you desperately reach your hands out to feel in front of you to try to make your steps safer. You slowly point out your foot and consciously feel for strong footing before you put your weight down. You don't know where you are going. You don't know how far you have gone. You just continue to follow that voice.

Sometimes, that is exactly what we have to do in our lives. God just completely takes control. For a moment, we may not know where is taking us or why. It's really difficult to relinquish that control...and let Him guide us. We still may be cautious and put our hands out because we are hesitant, but we go step by step following Him where He is leading.

Well, that is what has been happening in my life. As most of you that know me or read the blog, you know that I have control issues. I know it. I can admit it. I like to do things my way. I like to plan. However, over the last few weeks, it has felt like I have been blindfolded and God is leading me step by step.

I have gone back and forth this summer about going back to work part time. Next year would probably work better because both of my girls would be in school, but God had other plans. As you know, we decided not to re-enroll LaLa in the private preschool she was at after K3. Our plan was for me to homeschool her. I had our "learning spot" set up in my office/craft room. I had ordered all of the K4 curriculum. I had the year mapped out with the themes and units. We actually started some of the curriculum over the summer because she loves doing "school work". We were ready and all set with our plan!

A few weeks ago (3 or 4...actually), I actually noticed that a wonderful, local private, Christian school was hiring a part time teacher. Here is the catch...it was a music position. I considered applying for it...because it was part time. I printed out the application, talked to a couple people, and never went any further because of several reasons. Well, I love kids and I love singing and such...but I am definitely not a music teacher. Also, several days later, the position changed to full time. See, I knew that wasn't for me is exactly what I told my husband. I forgot all about my thoughts on going back part time and engrossed myself in my summer projects and Little Bit's birthday party.

Well, several days later, a friend called me and said she had found the PERFECT job for me. I laughed and asked what in the world it was!?! She replied that it was a part time job for a Learning Lab Instructor. I was thinking, "what in the world is a learning lab?!" and "No schools have part time right now. Who in the world is posting a part time job?!" You'll never believe it. It was the SAME school that I had looked at the week before. Remember, the application I had printed off, and never finished? Consequently, I emailed a friend that worked at the school to see what the Learning Lab was exactly. It was described as a place that struggling students could go for extra academic support. Eventually, they hope that it will encompass enrichment for students that need enrichment as well.

I couldn't believe it. I have had the opportunity to work with students with special needs and gifted students. These two groups of students are each special and need unique support to meet their needs. Both of these groups are also often the children that fall through the cracks in a regular education classroom. This is where my passion is. This is where my dissertation focused. Once I heard more information about the program, I realized that not only was this job perfect. It was a dream job and a great opportunity.

Within a week from hearing about the job, I completed my application, interviewed, and began working. The environment is incredible! Everyone is so friendly, sincere, and Christ focused. We decided that since I would be at the school, we would go ahead and register LaLa for pre-k. She was very excited as she toured the school, and I feel like they will definitely give her a challenge and keep her focused, which were my goals in homeschooling her. I attended a couple days last week for new teacher orientation, and I have preplanning this week. Every day has been exciting. I L.O.V.E. what the school is trying to do for these struggling kids. I love the opportunities that this program can provide for kids! Plus, this dream opportunity still allows me to be mama. It is part time. Perfect, huh?

We went from no plan of me going back to work and homeschooling LaLa to me going back to work and enrolling LaLa into school within less than a week. We had to figure out childcare, pray about what to do, evaluate all the pros and cons, and so on...but amazingly, everything fell into place within 24 hours of the job being offered to me. Child care was offered to us (more on that later)! I even worried about a back up plan if our child care can't help one day! Within 24 hours, two different wonderful friends offered to be back ups. Let me point out that I didn't even ask...they offered. It gives me chills just thinking about how it has all worked out! Concern after concern was handled until we couldn't even make up a doubt. God had put this opportunity in front of us. Then, he takes any concerns we have and gives solutions. It has been a lot of changes...a lot of adjusting, but it has been amazing. Let me emphasize that again...it has been absolutely AMAZING what has happened over the last three weeks.

It has literally felt like I was blindfolded and took step by step without knowing if my next step was going to make me fall right off a cliff! God has really shown me that if you take that leap of faith and give up that control...that HE has great things ahead for you! I feel such peace about the way thing have worked out. Do you remember my "summer calendar and projects" that I have been working on all summer? I can even see how God knew that I'd be going back to work this fall...even though I didn't. Without even realizing it, I was getting our house and world in order so it wouldn't be hanging over my head or overwhelming me with projects undone! As we get settled, you'll have to forgive me for not blogging regularly, but I'll be back regularly when I get settled in a routine! I'll be sharing Little Bit's birthday pictures too!

Thanks for reading about our big changes and my leap of faith! I'll keep you posted!
Tammy

My Little Bit is TWO!

Happy Birthday, Little Bit!

You know, my goal as a mother from early on was to make sure that I treasured every single little moment. I did not want to look back one day with regrets. I didn't want to hear a little old lady tell me, "it's over in a blink of an eye" and worry that I was missing something. Although that was my goal, I still feel like these last two years FLEW by without me noticing. I was intentional with my moments where my children are concerned, yet despite my deepest efforts, here I am two years since Little Bit was born...shaking my head and wondering where the time went.

I think with your first born you are so excited to reach each and every milestone that you are looking ahead...not behind at phases that passed by you. I know that is the way I was with LaLa. Plus, as soon as LaLa passed this baby stage, I was so excited about what was just ahead...preschool, being able to be more independent, soccer, more talking, more active, etc.. I was pregnant when LaLa turned two. I think that helped too! I knew the "baby" world was still just around the corner. It is so odd to be excited over such a milestone, yet so sad when those milestones go by as well. Wow, what contradictory feelings!

Little Bit is so excited about her big party on Saturday. She is pointing at pictures of all her friends and family (hanging up on a board beside changing table) and asking, "they coming to my bertday?" She can also hold up two fingers when you ask her how old she is. However, she has to hold up one finger on each hand because she just hasn't grasped the concept of two fingers side by side on one hand! Regardless, it's cute!

LaLa has been a great big sister to Little Bit today. She woke her up by singing happy birthday! We spent the day as a family at Chuck-e-cheese, and the girls had a great deal of fun. I think they should hand prozac out to the parents when you leave. Needless to say, the grown ups are quite exhausted!

Can you guess what kind of party Little Bit is having!?:)

My Sweet Ballerina

These are from LaLa's ballet recital...my sweet girl is growing up. I am having a difficult time realizing this for both of my girls. I love watching them grow and mature each and every day, but at the same time, I want to scream against Father Time because I feel cheated that my time with them "little" is so short. It's hard to explain. I think my baby, Little Bit, turning two is the source of all of this crazy emotions. Today is actually the LAST day that she will be one. The LAST day in my head of her being a "baby".

Getting Dressed.

Tap...love those hats as props!

Ballet...LaLa's little dance class was so sweet this year. She made some great friends (and the moms were great too!)

You mean I get a trophy?! You should have seen her face! Her class is on the far left.

How do you keep a busy toddler still during a recital? A "sugar" pacifier...aka...a ring pop!:)

LaLa's grandparents brought her a bouquet of flowers. She kept smelling them on stage.

One kid looking at that trophy (her favorite part of the night) and one kid that would not quit goofing off with that hat!

My sweet big girl!

LaLa with Robert's parents, "Nana" and "Daddy Gene". They drove all the way from Dalton, Ga to come to her recital for a couple hours! That's grandparent devotion!

My mom and dad with LaLa. (Gumpy and Mimi)

These are some embroidery pictures from the summer. I have been embroidering and sewing alot on my project list. I have been sewing curtains for several rooms. Rooms that I bought curtain fabric for when we first moved in our house (6 years ago!). I have also been working on a lot of projects for Little Bit's birthday that I will share next week!

Beach Towels...I think I have monogrammed a few dozen beach towels since the beginning of summer! They are great for gifts, and they last forever! I still have mine that was a highschool graduation gift!

My poor girls are usually the last ones to get things monogrammed, but I did monogram their bathing suits and really liked it! It makes these Target bathing suits look extra cute!

Are all of my pictures driving you crazy yet? Just a couple more days!:) We are still getting ready for Little Bit's big party day on Saturday!

4th of July

I have a ton of pictures to post. So, I am going to take the next couple of days and catch up! I know family will appreciate getting caught up with pictures, but it might be quite boring for some of you! My blog is usually the only "scrapbook" that I am always up to date on consistently. That is the best part of having a blog!! When it hits my one year mark of having the blog, I plan to make it into a book so my girls can have an entire year worth of a journal/scrapbook of sorts from mommy! Don't you just want to go start a blog RIGHT this second! Hence my guilt and need to catch up on posting pictures!

I am not doctoring these pictures at all! You will see dates, background, and completely unedited pictures!:) It's part laziness. It's part that dang project calendar keeping me busy. It's part distraction because of family coming in town. And the BEST part? It's my Little Bit's birthday week! She will be two on Thursday! We love birthdays here and celebrate big...meaning I have to do lists on top of to do lists!

Here are pictures from the fourth of July. That is my second favorite holiday...just love it! We had so much fun, especially since it was on Sunday. We had the opportunity to celebrate at my parents' house all weekend...lots of swimming, lake time, movies, playing, and enjoying the days! My parents live on the same lake we do...just on the other side. It makes visiting great because we are close enough to run home when we need to rest or get something. Plus, they have all the fun "big toys" that we get to enjoy like the pool and the boat!:) My mom is one of five girls in her family. When she cooks, she cooks for an army despite how many people will actually be eating. She and my dad shopped and had SO much food for the weekend! I think I ate and snacked all day...and probably gained a gabillion pounds! It was fun though!

Robert carrying our stuff in for the day! Kids are so little, but they NEED SO much stuff! It feels like we are moving no matter where we go because we pack so much stuff!

LaLa and I made a yummy flag cake. She was great at decorating. I was throwing the blueberries on the top while she methodically placed each one! Little Bit was "fired" from helping by LaLa because she kept "accidentally" getting whip cream on her.

Fun playing in the back yard.

I was trying to pose the girls to get a few pictures in their "Dependents" Day dresses (their name for the 4th). You know how that goes...one looks while the other looks away!

Looks so sweet! She was looking at the geese across the cove.

Little Bit is such a mess! She would have jumped in the lake if we would have let her.

Hmm...almost a good picture!

Fishing at the dock. LaLa caught a fish off the dock last year on Easter...the only fish she has ever caught off the dock. However, she never forgets that one time and always thinks that fish will bite her hook again! My brother "caught" my ear when we were little while fishing with our grandfather. My ears get the "ibbyjibbies" every time someone casts a pole...even years later!

Popsicles and waiting for the fireworks. I make the girls, especially Little Bit, wear swimmies on the boats...just in case. I keep their life jackets on hand too, but they will wear their swimmies longer. Our neighborhoods do something really cool. Everyone pays in a certain amount to go toward fireworks for the community. On the fourth, everyone goes out in their boats to see the firework display they do over the lake. It's great...no crowds, kids are contained (for the most part), and it is really a great show! I have great memories of doing this as I was growing up on the fourth...so it made it extra special to get to do it with my girls! Good things of that night? It didn't rain. Little Bit didn't try to jump off the boat (I was worried.). You dock your boat...walk up to the house...and go to sleep!

My two little fireworks on the boat. They were so excited for the fireworks. LaLa thinks Tinkerbell has something to do with ALL fireworks. Little Bit covered her ears and fell asleep during the fireworks!

A great, great day!

Summer Projects: The Girls' Room: French poodles...almost finished!

Things Done...

1. Move out old stuff!
2. Move in new stuff from craigslist (includes the two paintings, the two duvet covers (Little Bit's not shown), pillows matching theme, boxspring, new twin bed for LaLa, etc.)
3. Purchase needed items (new twin sheets, use crib sheets from nursery from LaLa's decor, etc.)
4. Use what we had (crib (matched perfectly!), changing table/dresser, bookshelf, toy box, table and chairs, etc.)
5. Paint (opposing walls are different colors)
6. Hang pictures
7. paint eiffel tower (chalkboard paint)
8. paint ceiling (darker shade of sky blue)
9. paint clouds on the ceiling (if you look closely, some of the clouds take special shapes...a teddy bear, mickey mouse ears, the letter c, the letter s, a flower, etc.)
10. organize closet

Still to do...
1. Put sheets and bed ruffle on crib. Little Bit's nursery decor was brown/pink so it did not go with the new room. However, LaLa's nursery decor was pink and green...matched well! See, good thing that I save everything!
2. Make curtains with the fabric that came with all of the wonderful craigslist goodies! It's not enough to do both windows. Instead, I put up Pottery Barn curtains that I had bought for LaLa's old room. They work for now until I can make the new ones. My girls like it dark when they sleep. I plan on using that striped fabric that you see on the bed in one of the pictures with solid dark pink. I'm trying to think of something I could embroidery on the solid portion of the curtains...poodles? french saying?
3. Hang LaLa's collector's shelf beside her bed. (I'll have to tell you about that later! It is like the ones from pottery barn, but they are a fortune! I made it out of trash...basically!
4. Hang LaLa's "princess" valance above her bed. It's from the nursery that both of the girls had from newborns. I want it to follow them as they grow up.
5. Pull out all the 18 month clothes from the closet and drawers. When I started this project in April, Little Bit could still wear them! Now, I have to pull them out just about the same time I finally finished!
6. See that white tall floor lamp? We had this lamp post in our front yard...until the contractor (from our kitchen remodel) hit it with his monster truck. It is unfixable. I plan on sweet talking my dad into using the "shell" of the lamp post that I would not let Robert throw out to make that floor lamp look like a lamp post in their room. I'm not even sure if that's possible!

LaLa's New Bed...hasn't even fallen off...YET! I love the sleigh bed! I love that it matches the crib so well! I couldn't have planned it if I would have tried!

First,, do not look at the curtains...still have to do that. Now, look at the Eiffel Tower out of chalkboard paint. The girls love it, but I have this thing about chalk EVERYWHERE...so I have to hide the chalk! Little Bit draws on EVERYTHING if you don't watch her closely!

I love this table in their room! I might paint the top with chalkboard paint too. Why didn't I put a table in their room forever ago? We use it all the time!

Close up of her duvet covers...cute, huh? I can't wait until Little Bit can use hers on her bed, but then again...I'm not ready for her to be loose at night! That's the fabric that came with the bedding. I love all the colors that it pulls in!

I need a new changing pad cover, but I am hoping to potty train in early fall. This is the changing table/dresser from the girls' nursery. I spray painted that previously white shelf, and of course, LaLa had to put her new ballet trophy on display! (Oops! I still need to post pics of my little ballerina!) I had the girls silouettes done a few months ago. I plan to frame them and put them up here as well. And, yes, they have a television in their room. It keeps me sane...they use it for rest/nap time. It only plays dvds...no cable.

A new sign to welcome the girls into their new shared room!

LOVE the details on the bed! Did I mention it matches the crib?! Ahhh...wonderful luck! All of these wonderful pillows came with the beds, bedding and such! LaLa puts them in special spots every morning...she may be a little type A like her mommy!

That's the ceiling...clouds.

Toy box...found at as a "display item" of a boutique going out of business. It's the same cream color as the beds. It's where I hide the toys they leave all over the floor!

There is no more space in this room, but I desperately need a spot for the books, books and more books that the girls have. They inherited a lot from my teaching days. I don't have any floor space...hmmm...any ideas?

I'm so close to finishing...I just need to mark off those last things on that list!

If you ask LaLa, she loves her new room because it's not just for her sister and her to share...they're best friends too! I hope they stay best friends forever!

Summer Projects: My Girls' Room: Charlotte's Web & Growing Up Too Fast!

I'm writing this post for two reasons. First, I am posting to share all the work and ideas that we did in my girls' new room. Second, I am posting because one day when I print my blog out for my girls to remember our little things everyday, I want them to remember how  much they loved each other's company. Each of my little girls had their own room that I spent time working to make it special and individual. However, in November, LaLa began to insist that she had to sleep with her sister as you may remember here. Well, after a few weeks of sleeping on the floor, we moved our guest room bed in the nursery so LaLa would at least have a bed to sleep in at night. The nursery was quite small, and the girls were getting bigger every day. By March, we realized that this sleeping situation seemed to be sticking around our house. Now, both girls really enjoyed each other's company at night and during naps. They even began sleeping better!

We decided to change LaLa's unused room into the girls' new room they would share. It is the largest of the four bedrooms upstairs (excluding ours). It currently had a four poster queen size bed, a dresser, etc. Since two little girls were going to share, we had to look for furniture. We were right in the middle of the remodeling our kitchen...remember here, here, and herewhen we were in the chaos of our kitchen and everything else in the house started falling apart?! I began to peruse Craigslist in January, but I was looking for something very specific.

After looking and calling around for several months, I happened to come across cute bedding on Craigslist. It had poodles and a French theme. The perfect colors and idea for a "sister" shared room that varied in ages! Here was the bonus...the seller even listed McDonough as her location...very close to me! I contacted her and didn't hear anything for several days. It was actually someone that I knew. She has four kids of her own. She has been involved with all kinds of things (like owning and running a successful baby gym business!) and has completely amazed me with how she juggles it all so well! She mentioned that she had two twin beds for sale as well. Now, I had in mind something....like bunk beds (but were nervous about my girls' ages) or loft beds, or a carriage bed...but I knew I was really limited with my resources too!

I looked at the beds...and looked...and looked...and asked everyone else what they thought about them...I deep down already liked them...A LOT. However, a friend's husband could make the beds in my "head" for about the same price. I could get the beds, but then I would not have all the bedding that I fell in love with! Or, I could get the bedding and have to wait a few months to save up for new beds. I made an offer on everything...and didn't tell Robert. She totally worked with me...within very close of where I was trying to get...pricewise! Then, I had to tell Robert. After the initial shock, he was okay. I couldn't even go the day we planned to pick up the beds because our sitter canceled and one of the girls were sick! I was so excited!

The girls helped choose the colors and shared ideas. It has been a slow process getting it all done, finding mattresses, moving everything out, and moving stuff back in the room. Now, the closet has both of the girls' clothes. We have another twin bed that is at my parents' house waiting until Little Bit needs a big girl bed, along with the mattresses (who knew mattresses were so expensive?!), and her new matching bedding.

Before we could start in the new room, we had to paint over the "charlotte's web" mural that I painted in her room when she was little (sigh, wipe a tear). A friend and I painted grass around the room and the ceiling light blue. Both of my girls loved running up to the animals and saying their names and sounds. I had to leave the room when Robert painted (three coats!) primer over it! First, before we picked up the new beds or anything, I had to snap a picture. Oh, sweet LaLa, if you only knew the time and love I put into your "big girl" room! I'll miss seeing you and your little animals, but I am so excited about your new room that you and your little sister will make many, many fun memories!

I'll post more tomorrow.
I have to go hug my girls...
feels like I painted this just yesterday...
time is going by way too fast!!!

Enjoying the Backyard...Refurbishing our Swing

Our backyard has this gradual slant to it. We never use this back corner in our yard that is shaded by large trees in our neighbors yard. In order to take advantage of space, Robert moved the swing in this back corner. (after trying it several other places...I'm visual!) It looked kind of lonely back there. We added jasmine plants on both sides of the swing. Hopefully, they will start vining around the swing eventually. Plus, they smell so good!

Covered in rust...this swing needed some TLC. It was a gift Robert and I got my grandmother. Since it was hers, I couldn't just get rid of it and get another. It has lots of memories of swinging and talking with her.

Magic Wands...

After just the first coat, it made a great difference. We put brick pavers around the jasmine plants and planted various plants that had color to make small flower beds. This has turned out to be one of my favorite spots in my backyard. Now, the girls and I can make our own memories swinging and talking in a part of our yard that we never used. If I could just figure out how to make new cushions, I would be set!:)

Any Complaints?

My first thought on complaints...I don't complain. I just listen to complaints. Ummm...then again, that's not quite true. I just went upstairs where my husband had bathed the kids (don't give him too much credit yet...I was cleaning up dinner and making his lunch for tomorrow). I "tagged" him out as he brought them into their room to get their jammies on and teeth brushed so he could go play work in the yard with some new yard tools. After prayers were said, books read, multiple requests granted and denied, covers tucked and so on, I finally left the girls. I entered their bathroom to replace their toothbrushes from the counter, and I discovered clothes on the floor, the tub still filled, toys littering the floor and the tub, shampoo open in abandoned in the tub of water.

Did I complain? Yep...marched my five foot feisty self outside and tried to yell my complaints over the weed eater only to find that he still couldn't hear me between his singing and the IPod turned up to unbelievable decibels. Then, I complained that he is too old to be listening to music that loud. (My husband suffers from the delusion that he is a teenager at times rather than a man in his thirties...most of the time~emphasis on most~ I love that about him.) However, after discovering the bathroom mess was not a moment where that love for his lust at youth was inspired!

Did it do any good? Nope...not at all. Did I exemplify a servant’s heart? Nope...not at all. Did I feel better? Nope...maybe for a minute. Actually, I probably could have cleaned it up faster than going out to complain about it. Then, I find myself wondering where my kids learn to complain...about it being too hot, or being bored, or some food they don't like. I guess tonight I answered my question. I also remembered a Bible verse that I haven't thought of in a long time.

Do everything without complaining or arguing (Ph. 2:14).


By the way, I went outside to snap a shot of him with my camera during his yard work and loud music escapade. He didn't even bat an eye. Without even inquiring as to why I was taking his picture, he stopped, looked at me, let me take the picture, and continued singing and weed eating.

What can I say? Thanks God for the lesson!:) Seems like I'm learning several this week...

A Mama's Blessings...focus on the Good Things

Blessings...

I was just talking to a friend last night about some of the things that I posted yesterday. During our conversation, I realized that there is definitely drama in all of our lives. Whether it is mama drama or day to day drama or drama in our relationships...we all have drama.

Despite all of our drama, we all have blessings—Blessings that get pushed to the side and often forgotten because the drama and urgency of the day to day takes over. So, I am taking this day...this moment...to focus on the good things.

As I began writing this post, I remembered a blog that I genuinely enjoy will often do the same thing. The author, Erin, will periodically devote a post to the good things in her life...or her favorite things. Whatever they may be...when I have read her posts on good things, it has made me stop and focus on my good things as well.

I should really stop and do the same thing...talk about the good things...more often.

Good health...definitely at the top of my list.

These moments...with my girls.

My dishwasher...really love my new dishwasher. I do not even have to prewash my dishes...seriously! Also, it has several compartments...even a perfect compartment for sippy lids. A mom must have created this dishwasher. The dishwasher also has a sanitize option...now, I will never need that bottle sanitizer again! It is so, so, so very quiet too! Ah...sweet dishwasher.

My house...love my "right now" house. Of course, I'm always looking and wishing for what I want "one" day, but with the economy the way it is lately...I am blessed to have the security a home offers for me and my family. I love this picture of our house when it snowed.

My parent's (live a couple miles away) swimming pool...really enjoying it this summer!:)

Yep, I'm blessed.

Summer Sanity?! Random Ramblings...

I need ideas for keeping our summer fun and my sanity in check. We are, actually, having a super fun summer! We have been staying busy, playing, and enjoying each other. Schedule and routine has been the key for us so far! I should turn the television off a bit more, but I have to clean my house and make dinner sometime (right?!). I just cannot figure out how to do all the stuff I WANT to do with having the kids around ALL the time. When I say that out loud though, it sounds somewhat selfish. Not sure?

I miss blogging...desperately, miss blogging. My hubby misses me blogging. The way he has it figured out is the more I blog...the less I need to talk about EVERYTHING in my head to him!:) So, if your husband thinks you talk a lot and if he gets that glazed over look periodically, I highly suggest blogging. When I do have a few minutes to myself on the computer (now, kids are watching barney on tv!), I usually end up trying to get my blog fix on my blogs that I follow. I just HAVE to know what is going on in their worlds. Some blogs are my encouragement for the day...as a mom...as a woman...they send me these motivating ideas to keep my focus throughout the day. I think this is why blogs have gotten so popular for women...just my opinion.

What's even funnier? I could care less if anyone reads them. Honestly, I forget that whatever I write ends up on the Internet world. I love comments though...ahhh...so someone else is out there and doesn't think I'm kooky!:) Then, I will be at church or visiting some friends for a kid play date, and someone will mention something they saw on the blog. Ugh...my mind begins to randomly recheck past posts to see if I wrote anything in particular...something where I was ambitiously rambling. I have to be cautious that what's in my head doesn't immediately go onto this computer! Regardless, summer is definitely getting in the way of blogging. I guess that is understandable!

When I do something, I like to do it all the way. 100% devotion to the project. Thus, my frustration with not blogging consistently! I just tend to do too many things at one time. Then, I get crabby and stressed and overwhelmed in my home because I'm stretched too thin. I forgot a lot this past year that the REASON that I chose to be a stay at home mom is for the benefit of my kids. However, I would spend spare minutes devoted to all these other activities for church or preschool or people in general. (Not a bad thing...just in moderation!) I enjoyed it for the most part, but my family suffered. My energy and time was zapped. They only received the left overs.  I have been a crazy woman fighting for simplicity this summer...convincing myself that we do not have to be on the go all the time. Now, if that would just rub off onto my expectations for myself, I would be set!

I received a couple emails about my calendar for my house when I was out of town (Again, that wonderful moment when you know you are not the only crazy mommy out there.) I'll post my calendar soon! I don't know if it will help or make you laugh, but I will post it regardless!:)

It's nice to know that someone is curious about my craziness in order to help their own chaos! More mommies need to be more open about our struggles and chaos with others! I don't think we would be as hard on ourselves...if we REALLY, genuinely knew what other moms were going through each and every day.

Okay...that's my random ramblings for the day! Thanks for listening!

Little Bit...a FULL moon...

Little Bit has this issue with removing her clothes at any and all opportunities. She will remove her clothes and diaper and hide them somewhere. My only solution that works is to put pull ups on her. They tend to take a bit longer for her to figure out how to remove it. Once she figures that out, I'm out of ideas?! Let me know if anyone else has ideas! This is how I discovered Little Bit an hour or so after I had put her to bed. Her pants and diaper had been tossed out of her crib. She was sound asleep. I guess from a mama's perspective I can say...at least she was asleep...that's more important than being half naked!

Since I am sharing Little Bit memories and thoughts, I am sad to say that she is no longer calling her big sister LaLa. I know sad, right? She can now actually say her name, Charlotte. It was so sweet as she tried to say it and came out with LaLa. She is still known as Little Bit to most around here, and that name just fits her perfectly. She is such a bundle of everything in this little body! Amazingly, after months and months of trying to get her to say her name, she finally said it a couple weeks ago. She says it pretty quickly, and it is still hard to understand unless you are listening for it. It is still quite cute though! She is really growing up! I think this (her being able to say the real names and not her "baby" names she created) has really made me realize how much she has grown up. Where has my baby gone? It is exciting and sad at the same time. Hard to explain...

When did you realize or what made you realize your little one grew up without your realizing it?

Two Mommies and Three Little Ladies Going to the BEACH!

I'm packed. I'm ready. I ask myself everytime I get to this point..."why did I wait until the last minute?!" Actually, I had everything in my head that I needed to pack. I bought food, snacks, and beach things days ago. I had some stuff put out here and there. I made a list. I printed out the directions. I printed out the weather for the next week. I closed up any house and family details. I have a restaurant bag for the kids. I have snack boxes for each kid. I have a bookbag with car toys for each kid. I have bag and bag and bag ready...YET...here it is 12:35 in the morning and I just finished packing except for a few last minute things to throw in the bag in the morning. Oh yeah, it is morning already. Did I mention my friend and her little girl that we are going to the beach with plans on being here at 5? FIVE. IN. THE. MORNING. 

Between finishing preschool, working on my summer cleaning list, LaLa's dance practices and recital, and entertaining my girls...I genuinely figured the packing would all just come together! Maybe my friend will not notice if I just sleep ALL the way to Florida! I'm sure she can handle three little girls and driving...right? Well, she might not even be my friend anymore if I go that route! I'll post pictures of LaLa's sweet recital pictures soon and lots of fun and adventures from our trip!

Hopefully, the beautiful beach will not be ruined with oil...ugh...that's an entirely different rant for a different day!

Enjoy your weekend!
Tammy

Lightning Bug Adventures

A priority this summer was to hunt and capture some of those magical lightning bugs that have started to grace our backyard. It's not truly summer until you have your lightning bugs lighting up your room on a hot summer evening. The way these little bugs light up as they fly around is magical and such a testimony to God's creation. I love that He wanted us to enjoy and be mesmorized over His handiwork of creation.

When I was a child, we simply used mason jars with holes punched in the lid. Obviously, times have changed. LaLa has this little "bug house" that is meant to retain her bug creatures. Fancy, huh? Honestly, I think the mason jars worked better! We had to really pep talk those little bugs into agreeing to enter the bug house.

She and Little Bit enjoyed the little bugs lighting up their room until they fell asleep. I think they were upset for a while and refused to light up for quite a bit...the bugs not the kids! Robert let them go shortly after so the bugs could continue their adventures. While LaLa was looking for lightning bugs (or "lighty" bugs as they called them), Robert and I took turns pushing Little Bit in the swing in the backyard. It is basically a baby swing on a huge tree. The swing is usually the first thing friends want to do when they visit.  They are able to swing super high and still be secured with straps. Of course, Little Bit had been playing in the sandbox and is filthy! If there is sand or dirt around, she can find it!

Now for the best question of the night...how do "lighty" bugs light up?

Hmmm...good question...go ask your daddy!

Now, I guess I have to go google the answer!;)