A Novel Idea...

As ususal I can't sleep.   I just piddle around my house trying to find something important enough to keep me up at this hour.  Tonight, I claimed laundry as the culprit.  I don't know why I don't sleep at night.  I really have no idea.  It is one of the things I plan to work on.    I uploaded pictures to my Facebook account.  Success...something I have been meaning to do! Yes!  Then as I am sitting at my desk....piddling again. I read this: " Look around and consider your blessings.  Read this morning's newspaper, and be grateful for what Didn't happen to you.  Think about what you do have in a new light" ~ Lucy Swindoll.  

Wow.

What a novel idea.  Consider what could befall you as a blessing because it didn't.  I mean really.  Think about this.  Wouldn't that change the outlook we start with everyday?  Mornings around here suck!  I mean really, really suck.  In a, just pray we make it through till midday kinda way... What a great idea, to be Thankful for the Blessings we have and More thankful for the things we were not Challenged with...and move on through the day.  I think I am going to try that.

I am very Thankful I was able to take this pretty picture on a girls weekend in Utah.................

Crafty Moments

     

Don't you just love these?  I made 9 of these Beautiful glittery ornaments last night. 

There was a large range of colors...I didn't manage to take pictures of the variety.

This particular ball was for my UT Alumni friends next door. 

Easy, somewhat inexpensive and Amazing looking.

Thanks to Kelli for the idea!

4am ramblings

I am so very Blessed. Shall I count the ways? I have a husband that loves me and works so hard...his working hard gives me the ability to work part time....which gives me the ability not to put my children in daycare...which allows me to be a much larger part of their life...which makes me happy. I have a job that is supportive and ladies to work with that are my dearest friends. I have life long friends that know all of my stories...both good and bad...yet love me completely anyway. I have three amazing children that bring me joy, some tears, and some frustration....that I love to the moon and back. I have a family...both immediate and extended and God given...that lifts me up when I am down, loves me, and believes in me. I have a beautiful home that is comfortable and safe. My husband has a job that provides for us well. I am loved and saved by my Lord and a daughter of the King....


Yes, I am Blessed. I AM BLESSED beyond measure. So, why is it that I forget? Do you ever do that? Just forget. I get so caught up in the schedule, the stress, and frustration of everyday life...I mean WHY is it that my children can remember every single lyric to any Taylor Swift song...but CAN NOT remember to flush the potty or pick up after themselves. UGHHhhhh Why is it that my hubby can not seem to anticipate what I need? Some days just a pair of ears to listen to my problems....no need to fix them. Just listen and say...Babe, your right....that sucks. Is it too much to ask that when I come home its a little bit better than when I left? Do you ever get that way...the little stupid things pile up and then your all mad and really it is for no reason. For me, then I have a hard time shaking it.

Well, I decided today...after a "proud" moment...You know one of those moments when you say...ya, I just blew it as a mom/ wife/ friend....fill in the blank. I had one. I had a rough preschool party day. Not a bad day... a rough day. There was an unplanned fire drill...meaning the fire department showed up because the alarm actually went off. Well, 13 four year olds in socked feet and no coats...down the stairs, out the door and to the football field we went. They were awesome. I love those kids. Ya, that completely threw off my morning. When I got home...I was tired and the kids were whiny, the TV was loud. I had all these gifts from my sweet kids. I wanted to open them...it didn't happen at school because of the aforementioned fire alarm issue. The baby was in this, the The Diva was messing with that, The Drama Queen was arguing because of something, and the hubby didn't react fast enough. So, I blew up ( so proud) and sent myself to bed. God love that man...he let me sleep for over three hours. Refreshed! Renewed...realization....I was a total...um Witch. They didn't deserved that because I had a rough day.

Common sense idea #1

Treat the family with the same consideration as I do EVERYONE else I come into contact with.

Common sense idea #2

They are kids. Remember....?

Common sense idea #3

I am overstretched and this leaves me irritable and less tolerant of my own family....(for the LOVE???)

So, starting now. I am going to do better, communicate my needs better, and be a better me....

Time Really Flies

Is seems like only yesterday it was summer.  We were enjoying hot weather, the beach, and of course Disney.  Then suddenly school started.  Life got busy and schedules became less than calm.  And, now it is freaking Christmas time.  Where did the time go? How did it become December already?!!!  Today the girls and I began our Christmas Break.  Wasn't it just, literly, Summer?  Wow. I vow to rest and relax....ok who am I kidding.  I have projects I want done.  We'll see...

A long overdue Update.....beginning with Vacation

As you may know we had a fabulous vacation this year. A road trip with the family and Brent's Dad, Karen, our niece Morgan, and her friend Savannah...to Florida! Disney World and several beaches. It was wonderful and we had a great time! There were many firsts and a lot of fun. Our trip started a 3:30 am on July 4th. We were packed in and ready to go. The girls were so excited. Our trip started with a detour. Brent had a schedule to keep ; ) I had detours to make : ) Our first detour was to Vivian, La. My beloved Mamaw and Papaw passed away several years ago. Mamaw passed away Sept 13, 2004. I have not been to visit her grave since her funeral. Many reasons...but mainly, it just makes it too real. I loved her sooo much. Well, we were driving thru Sheveport and that is really close to Vivian. So, I demanded that we go. Brent decided to find a "new" way to get there. hehe. It was a longer, scenic view...we eventually made it and I am glad that I went. I found that her date of death had never been inscribed on her tombstone...WHAT!!!! Apparently, the funeral home did not record her payment...my cousin is going to make it right. Thank You Ashley! So, a brief trip to Vivian was followed by...well...nothing. The next excitement was arriving at the Mississippi River....

We stopped at the Vistor's Bureau...Miss Mississippi was there greeting travelers...really? So...we got out and walked around. There is this hill that you can walk over to and there is a Civil War Cannon perched at the top of the hill. Uh...yes, I made everyone walk over there and check it out. As you can see the girls were not that excited and Braeden totally thought it was awesome! Meghan thought the river was really cool and also that the tug boat was cool too! I had to explain that the paddle boat wasn't something that we could to to...Casino's are not on my short list of places to take Meghan at 8. Yes, I spent the same summer in a Casino...but that was a different time and my story...not the story for my girls! So, saw the Mississippi River and a cannon for the first time! AWESOME...a little history thrown in there!

From the Mississippi River to Florida there wasn't anything cool to report. Brent just doesn't like to stop anywhere! If it is not on the schedule...he doesn't want to do it! Our final destination on this day was Pensacola Florida...which we made it to by late afternoon...

To be continued....

Beauty in the commmon things: sand in my car from the beach

Listening in: the girls watching Zach and Cody while Baby Boy fusses....

Dinner Plans: Anything but McDonalds...Anything!

View from the window: Beautiful hotel golf course and pools


Today is the last day we will be spending in orlando. It has been so much fun. Our hotel is beautiful and HUGE. We love the pool and grounds! So far on our vacation we have: visited the Mississippi river, Pensacola Beach, The Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, Universal Studios, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, and lots of time in our hotel pool! There is going to be a shuttle launch tomorrow and we had hoped to see it on the launch pad. But, either it was in the hanger or it was too misty where we were! Either way it was a bummer not to see it. Right now Brent is golfing and we are hanging in the hotel room relaxing. Or rather they are and I am having some time on the computer. It has rained and rained and rained here! But, the weather was great anyway! I will post pictures soon!