I'm Back!

Did ya miss me?? We have been in vacation mode for 10 straight days!! Eight of them were spent down in the mountains of Tennessee with my in laws. And the last two were here at home. We had a great time in Tennessee. It is a looong drive (11 1/2 hours one way) for us and with our two girlies I was def dreading it. BUT on the way down we stopped in Virginia at spent the night at Peters Aunts house. That was so nice to break up the drive.

This big girl is now sitting up and both her and mama are luving it! Yay! And shes 7 months old!!!!!!



We had a wonderful relaxing time. My in laws own a cabin rental business (check out thier website HERE)so we got to tag along with them while they did thier duties, we took a few hikes, played in thier creek, hung out on thier beautiful back deck, went in the hot tub many times (that was Noni's favorite thing to do), played games and had a campfire. Peter and I got to go on 2 dates while we were there and Noni and Evey got lots of Nee-Nee and Poppy time! (Thnx again Nee-Nee) There is no cell phone service there and very slow internet so we were "unplugged" for the week which was sooo nice. I really enjoyed not having to think about much and I could just be. I read almost a whole book which is a big deal for me. It always is so nice to be able to visit L and c. :) Oh and the absolute best part was I didn't have to think about or make any dinners. She took care of it all and Peter cooked one meal. It truly was a vacation for me. *smile* (U ladies know what Im talking about)

The amazing, fun, wonderful, sweet, generous, and beautiful NEE-NEE!

Buggie time!- another one of Nonis favorite things to do!

family hike!

Hot tub fun! It was raining in this pic.

Campfire and smores right by the creek! What more could you want?!?!

Noni would go off with Nee-Nee and Poppy as much as she could. She had so much fun "helping" them with things!

In honor of thier Grandkids they have named each of the cabins after each one and made a sign for them. Isnt that so sweet? I think it is so cute and adds such character to the cabins. I wanted a pic of the girls by thier sign but guess who wouldn't cooperate.

CHEESE! When I want to take her pic she says no way but if she wants me to take it she is all smiles!!!!




The ride home was a little tough. We left at 1 a.m. thinking they would sleep most of the time. I was tired and cranky and Nonah whined off and on, did not sleep real great in her carseat and then had a melt down at about 2 hours to go. She just cried and screamed a little and didn't want to get out of the car at the gas station and was just miserable. Evey slept most of the time but also was really cranky the last two hours. But we survived and slept when we got home and did nothin the next day and are now all caught up on sleep. Now its back to reality!!!

One Blessed Mama!

Thats me!!! I am so blessed. I had a busy day. A challenging day. But a blessed day! A wonderful day! I got a beautiful homemade card that daddy helped put both girls hand prints on. ~So Sweet~

We went to church and they gave out free body butter, and Cherry Italian Soda for $1. ~nice~

Then we went to the local flower shop and I got to pick out something for the patio. I picked a beautiful teal glazed bird bath. I have wanted one for a while now. I guess Im kind of picky so Peter doesn't like picking things out for me unless he is sure I like it. So he decided to let me pick, which is fine with me. ~luv it~

Then I went shopping with my mama for a little bit. Thats our favorite thing to do together. We both found a few things. ~fun~

Then the rest of the day was home with my hubby and my girlies!! This was the challenging part. :) Evey was quite cranky and although had a short nap, she needed another one and kept fighting it. She is at the point where she wants to do so much but can't so she gets really frustrated. Noni was especially challenging all evening. She is in the "terrific twos" and is fully embracing all that comes with this stage. Enough said.
BUT I am blessed!! Peter is an amazing cook if I haven't already told you that and instead of going out to a busy restraunt he made me an amazing dinner. Shrimp Scampi/Alfredo with Sauteed Zucc/cabbage/mushrooms!! Served with a glass of Merlot. It was absolutly delicous!! He even cleaned up the dishes and ran the dishwasher! (if he cooks he usually doesn't clean up.) ~yum~

I am One Blessed MAMA!!

The Second time around~

Busy busy busy. Life with two kids is busy. And a little cRaZy. With my second babe I am much more relaxed about things which I have heard many people say happens. The more kids you have the easier it gets. I do not have the same worries and concerns the second time around as I did the first time. Nursing is a piece of cake, we already know we aren’t doing vaccines, well meaning family and friends comments don’t get to me any more. For some reason people don’t ask as many questions the second time around. And no the baby will not be in our bed til shes 10 years old. This time around I have different worries and concerns. I wouldn’t call my self a worrier where things are always on my mind and I can’t stop thinking about it but my heart gets heavy. I like to have things figured out and to be sure of things. To be sure of my decisions. But there are some things that are not that clear.

This time around I wonder if I am doing enough for my girls. Giving them enough. Enough love, attention, encouragement, time? Am I teaching them enough about what this thing called LIFE is all about. Am I too short and impatient. Am I am I am I???? If two is this hard how could I possibly handle any more kids. The list is endless. The doubts and concerns are endless. In order to ease my concerns I turn to God, to books, to friends and family who understand or have experienced the same things. Praying, talking and reading are what get me through.

Right now I am reading the book “The Mission of Motherhood” by Sally Clarkson. (I will be reading and discussing with 2 of my friends, cant wait) So far it is really good. A christian mama who has raised I think 3 kids and is giving some advice, encouragement, and support while sharing her story. What a perfect book for this season of my life.
Here is a little bit from the book that spoke to me.

“Chronic exhaustion, a house that seemed perpetually messy, the inevitable stress, and days of “quality time” with little ones who were fussy and demanding caused me to doubt my sanity. I began to realize that my mothering honeymoon was over and my confusion was back.”
I love that, my mothering honeymoon was over. Exactly. When I was pregnant with my first it was all wonderful blissed out expectations of what was to come. But life with a 2 and a ½ year old and a babe the reality of what mothering is a little less bliss and a little more crazy. No more honeymoon.

“What had I gotten myself into? A challenging career suddenly seemed more productive to me because I could measure the results of my work. These precious little one had endless needs. They were busy little sinful creatures who demanded all of my body, time, life, emotions, and attention. As much as I loved my children, I often felt like a failure. Surely someone else could do a better job with these precious ones than I. And what exactly was I supposed to be accomplishing anyway? Was I wasting my time? What had this husband who professed to love me, done to me?”
I have felt/thought these exact things at times. I feel so defeated sometimes.

“How thankful I am that God showed me his path so that I can relax in each stage of childhood and find joy in my moments with my sweet ones, knowing that in my acceptance of his call, my children can rest in the peace and security of my commitment to them.”
This is a challenge for me. To find joy in every moment with my girls. I pray for joy regularly. And for God to show me my purpose.

Looking forward to the rest of this book and to all that motherhood entails. I both hate and love the challenges of motherhood. It is all part of the process. The struggles are what are helping me to become a better me. I honestly wouldn’t want to be doing anything else right now then being a MOTHER!