Blessed

Last Sunday, our pastor was preaching on The Beatitudes to conclude his series on the Road to Recovery.

Somehow, my mind wandered a bit and and I began thinking about how blessed I am. This is what I was reading:

1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

-The Message

Now my Bible I take to church with me is a parallel text (NIV & The Message). I like to have it with me because frankly, sometimes I just need to read it in different words.

Often I tend to notice the things that are going quite so perfectly in my life. The stupid dishes are dirty. I didn't fold the laundry and now all the clean clothes are too wrinkled to wear. We stay too busy during the week and never see each other. The organic food store is closed and I really don't want to drive all the way to Orlando just to buy food. My black car with black leather interior doesn't have rear air conditioning and my baby is slowly sweating to death.

Now I'm not being persecuted, I'm not being pushed to the end of my rope. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, my life is amazing. Why is it so difficult to constantly know that?

I mean, seriously.

I have dirty dishes because I had food to put on those dishes to dirty them. The laundry didn't get folded and put away immediately because we have plenty to wear and didn't need the others. We are involved in our community and church and have things to do at night. There are local stores that sell organic and/or natural foods, just not everything I seem to think I need. I have a nice car to drive, it isn't broken, it runs well, and has air conditioning--and I have a sweet little baby to sit in the back of the car.

I know I am the Queen of overlooking Thanksgiving to hurry and get to Christmas, but the truth is, I love the Thanksgiving holiday. We have the most AMAZING food, it is one of the few times a year I get to see my twin cousins (Matt & Jenne) and my Aunt and Uncle. It's a nice time with family.

While I may still continue to put up my Christmas decor a tad bit early, as Ansleigh grows up, I want her to know what Thanksgiving is about, and by that, I do not mean the Pilgrims and the Indians. I want her to know how blessed we are and how we should thank God for that. I want her to be thankful for all the amazing food she gets to eat. To be thankful she has a family (and extended family) that adores her. I want her to learn to give thanks, and the way she is going to learn that is from me, her mommy (yes, of course, and Anthony too).

Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Suggested Reading?

A fabulous friend of mine, Malerie, in responding to the "6 Random Things" blog on her own blog (does that make sense?) mentioned a book she's about to start teaching to her 9th graders:

I had never heard of such so, intrigued, I looked it up. This is what Amazon.com has to say about it:

Amazon.com Review
On any given day, one out of four Americans opts for a quick and cheap meal at a fast-food restaurant, without giving either its speed or its thriftiness a second thought. Fast food is so ubiquitous that it now seems as American, and harmless, as apple pie. But the industry's drive for consolidation, homogenization, and speed has radically transformed America's diet, landscape, economy, and workforce, often in insidiously destructive ways. Eric Schlosser, an award-winning journalist, opens his ambitious and ultimately devastating exposé with an introduction to the iconoclasts and high school dropouts, such as Harlan Sanders and the McDonald brothers, who first applied the principles of a factory assembly line to a commercial kitchen. Quickly, however, he moves behind the counter with the overworked and underpaid teenage workers, onto the factory farms where the potatoes and beef are grown, and into the slaughterhouses run by giant meatpacking corporations. Schlosser wants you to know why those French fries taste so good (with a visit to the world's largest flavor company) and "what really lurks between those sesame-seed buns." Eater beware: forget your concerns about cholesterol, there is--literally--feces in your meat. Schlosser's investigation reaches its frightening peak in the meatpacking plants as he reveals the almost complete lack of federal oversight of a seemingly lawless industry. His searing portrayal of the industry is disturbingly similar to Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, written in 1906: nightmare working conditions, union busting, and unsanitary practices that introduce E. coli and other pathogens into restaurants, public schools, and homes. Almost as disturbing is his description of how the industry "both feeds and feeds off the young," insinuating itself into all aspects of children's lives, even the pages of their school books, while leaving them prone to obesity and disease. Fortunately, Schlosser offers some eminently practical remedies. "Eating in the United States should no longer be a form of high-risk behavior," he writes. Where to begin? Ask yourself, is the true cost of having it "your way" really worth it? --Lesley Reed

So now I am interested. I am going to read this. I want to know this stuff.

As some of you know, I have been not dieting, but trying my best to be more healthy lately so that I can fit into my ski pants, so I can look more like myself, and frankly, just feel better.

I've stopped drinking sodas, specifically coke. I have replaced it with a less-sugar version of sweet tea and water. I don't even have a desire to drink a coke. [THANKS, GOD!]

I'm trying to be MUCH more careful about what I'm putting into my body and I'm exercising. Walking/Jogging/Trying to Run.

Now, I want to read this book.

Thanks, Mal!

Awarded...

Vanessa gave me this award after she received it, but there are strings attached in order for me to accept the honor. I have to tell you, the readers, six random facts about myself and then tag six unsuspecting fellow bloggers.

Here I go...

1. Vanessa says she hates the number six but I love it! It is my favorite number! I was number six every year I played softball (6th grade-12th). I would have been number six in basketball if you could have been. I get excited when I see it. Ansleigh's new nursery number at church is six. :o)
2. I adore Peyton Manning...but not why you might think. I am not attracted to him in the least bit. He's just a good ol' southern boy who is REALLY good at what he does. He is a respectful person. He has proven himself to have an upstanding character and...he played for Tennessee.
   
3. I LOVE Rocky Top (the song). No, seriously. I do. I get so excited every time I hear it. I even have it on my ipod.
   
4. I am secretly a tree hugger (THANKS, RACHEL). I buy organic food whenever possible. I love organic clothing (although I can't afford most of it). It is so soft! I am very careful about the household cleaners I use. If Ansleigh can reach it, I'm not spraying harmful chemicals on it. I love going to Natural Foods stores and just looking at everything. I watch tv shows about going green (Sarah Snow is my fav!!!!). I study things about being eco-friendly, even if I don't always act on it. We've even started recycling! The other night, I found myself excitedly explaining how a compost bin works and that I learned about it on tv. I think it took Anthony a few minutes to realize that I was serious. Enough about that.
   
5. I find myself scouring ebay trying to find Ansleigh all the Gymboree outfits that the girls wear on Jon & Kate: Plus 8. Ridiculous, I know.
6. I don't cook that often. I really do enjoy it and I actually do know how to do it (most of it anyway). Specifically I like to bake. It's the cleaning up after the cooking that I'm not a fan of. Also, the mess. I HATE having a mess in my kitchen. I'd much rather it just be all nice and clean with everything put away in its place.
   

Now for the tagging...

1. Christina St. John--(my sister) Surprise me and see if you can tell me something random I don't already know!
2. Rachel because she's awesome.
3. Lacey because I haven't heard from her in so long!
   
4. Winn because I too like to engage in peer pressure.
5. Malerie because I can't wait to see the randomness that comes from there... :o)
6. Last but not least, Shealy, because I adore her

Those of you who have been tagged, you won't hurt my feelings if you don't do this. I had fun doing it though!

Thanks, Nessa!

Sweeter Than Chocolate

Earlier this week, I came across some blogs that strictly blog about children's clothes. Boutique-ish children's clothes. My obsession. Now I'm not going to start a new blog about clothes (YET) but I will share my newest lurve.

Gymobree has a new line out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweeter Than Chocolate
Clearly, I am a fan of the polka dots. They have several pieces with little bon bons on them. Some stripes and other cute stuff. I just didn't want to save all the pictures of every piece of the line. These are just my favs. The last two pictures are from the kid girl sizes. Bummer. I would buy them for Ansleigh.

You can find it at www.gymboree.com (click on baby girl or kid girl--depending on the sizes you are looking for).

Job Opportunities???

So I'm going back to work next year.

I am proud that I will have spent Ansleigh's first year on earth at home with her, even if I do have to hide from her sometimes. :o)

I have not missed one single milestone. Her first smile, her first laugh, first roll-over, first sit, first stand, first words "mama"....I've been there for all of it. This is important to me. It will be important to me when we we reproduce again.

God has another purpose for me, other than being mommy. God planned for and prepared me to work with preteens and teens. Also, my college education did that.

I want things. I want a bigger house (only before we have more kids, not now). I want to replace Anthony's car. I want to buy stuff and not feel guilty about it. I want to not be in debt (student loans & mortgage). All this requires money.

Therefore, I am going back to work.

Through the grapevine, I've been informed of some job opportunities for next year:

1. Melbourne High School
2. Bayside High School
3. The new high school

Let's look at these more closely:

MEL HIGH--They are (so I've been told) looking for a new cheer coach (probably JV). There is an English teacher retiring and also, they need another English teacher anyway. I would be working with kids and parents I know. Plus, I've talked to some people who teach at Mel High and they love it! The faculty and the administration are great and helpful (again, so I've been told). I'd be a bulldog. Green, black, and white. The downside, it is all the way across town and would take a good 30 minutes to get there and get home everyday.

BAYSIDE HIGH--They too are looking for a new cheer coach....a VARSITY cheer coach. my dream come true. They are also looking to greatly improve school spirit. Not to toot my own horn, but seriously, who would be better at that? Also, it is literally 5 minutes from my house. My friend Stacey teaches there. It is always great to teach where you know someone. Downside: not so sure if they are hiring English teachers. That could be a problem. Seriously.

THE NEW SCHOOL--They are building a new high school pretty close to my house. With a new school comes teaching positions and an available cheer position. Someone who could build a program. Start fresh. Some of my Central kids are zoned to go there. LOVE my Central kids. Seriously.

I haven't been offered any jobs. I have in an application. As soon as I take the sub class I can substitute teach at Mel High and Bayside. This will let me get a feel for both schools. Hopefully something will come of this. I know I've always been a middle school advocate but lately I've REALLY had the itch for 9th grade. I don't even know if there will be 9th grade positions open. I'm a little scared to teach juniors or seniors but I think I could do it.

Be praying for me. Pray that God will be preparing a place for me--a place where I can make a difference and do what I love. Pray that God will prepare me to go into a high school and pick up teaching again. Pray that God will be preparing the heart of the person who will be keeping Ansleigh. Pray that God will prepare our family for such a big change.

This is a big step and a big change for us. I'm excited, scared, and nervous.

Teacher Thought/Idea

I was looking through facebook and noticed one of my old Auburn classmates has a blog link on her profile. I clicked it and was amazed!

It is for her students!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her blog posts are thought provoking ideas or questions and the kids have to respond by commenting. They get a weekly blog grade! Each blog post they have to write at least a paragraph answering the post. Sometimes, she even makes them use their vocabulalry words in their paragraphs!

What an amazing idea. Seriously.

Emily (said "old classmate") teaches at a Presbyterian school that I assume is a private school. Private school kids have home computers (mostly) b/c their parents have the money to pay for their improved education.

I wonder/would like to see if this would be feasible in a public school environment. Public school kids generally do not all have computer access unless it is provided at school. This would mean taking them to the computer lab once a week to do an assignment that I think would work much better on a homework type basis.

What an amazing way to incorporate technology into the classroom and what a freakin awesome way of putting a twist on the boring old everyday "journal." And...girl is a freakin genuis b/c she can check their homework and grade it from home, while watching tv. I used to love grading papers at home so I could share the hilarity of my kids' work with Anthony.

Teachers and Non-Teachers alike, I want to know what you think. Seriously. Yall know I'm planning on going back to teaching next year and I'd like to have a way to feasibly work this into my classroom. I need ideas of how to make this work or at least an alternative for the kids who do not have computer access.

Ideas please!?!?!

Upcoming Election...

My sister-in-law (one of my personal favorite people ever) re-posted this on facebook. Her friend posted it and Rachel felt compelled to pass it along. I do too.
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This is an excerpt from the email that is going around from Huntley Brown. I know this whole article talks about why he can't vote for Obama just because he's black. I am not concerned about his race. Racism aside, I have a strong feeling about Christians who are voting for Obama. I just can't understand why they feel they are making a God-led decision. I guess my brain is just too small to comprehend it, but I believe with all my heart that I'd be going against God's standards to vote for a man who the terrorist nations would be thrilled if he gets elected. I can't vote for a man who won't stand up as a Christian no matter where he is, but instead talks accordingly to whichever group he's in front of. I can't vote for a man who seems to have no moral standards or values when it comes to the sanctification of marriage, murdering unborn babies, nor can I vote for a man who was either not as involved in his church as he led us to believe, or commends the teachings that have come out of that church. Again, I just don't believe I would be following God's standards for what I as a Christian need to stand for. Hope this makes you think!


In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.

Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king.

First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 "Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." Then God says
1 Samuel 1:18 " When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."

Here is what we know for sure.

God is not schizophrenic.

He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God.

Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it.

For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four supreme court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy.

Polka Dot Skies

Let me tell you a story about how I ordered this ridiculously cute hairbow for Ansleigh on Etsy. It is brown & white gingham and has a little pumkin thing in the middle. SOOO CUTE. I had to ask the lady to make it with an alligator clip instead of a french clip. The bow was only $2!!!!!

When I got the bow in the mail, I had a surprise! She'd sent me an extra bow for being her first purchase on Etsy. Her shop is called Polka Dot Skies and you should totally go there and buy hairbows. Seriously.

Look how cute the bug is in this free bow!

The bow is nothing fancy, pink & white gingham with a lime green center but so precious!

This week's favs...

I noticed I had some interest in my post last time of my favorite things so I decided to do another one. :o) You're excited, I'm sure. Probably peeing in your pants...haha. Well maybe not but anyway, here we go!!!

1. Little Baby Snow Shoes!!!! Specifically Baby Uggs and these adorable Pedipeds!!! This year we are going on the Friday Family Ski trip, therefore, I am currently obsessed with all things that keep my little one warm including snow suits, fleece jammies, mittens, etc.

2. Munchkin Sippy Cups

These sweet little things are CHEAP ($2), BPA free, you can buy them at Target, they REALLY don't leak, and are currently the only sippy buggy-boo will drink out of (pretty girl colors, of course).

3. My current read, Brisinger, is the third book in the trilogy. Anthony started reading the first one (Eragon) when we got married. I asked him to read it and tell me if middle school boys would like it. He loved it and then I read it and loved it. Then, another one came out, Eldest, and it was amazing too. We just got the third one when it released the other day and even though we are only 14 pages into it, I'm already in lurve....



4. An oldie but a goodie (at least to me...)
www.diapeesand wipees.com
These things are freakin amazing! They are like little fabric envelopes--ok they aren't "like" them, that's what they are--that hold your diapers and wipes to keep them together and from being torn apart while in the diaper bag. They come in tons of different fabrics and the best part is that they are only $14.99!!! Totally worth the money. Seriously. Like I said, UH-MAZING!!!!

5. Michael Miller's Carnival Bloom Fabric


Clearly, I have a problem. Ok, maybe not so clearly to anyone except my mom, Anthony, and Winn. Ansleigh's diapees and wipees is in the fabric (see above), her new bag tag for her new diaper bag, she has an outfit in it, and recently, I acquired a headband and a key chain from Winn!!! I'm kind of wanting to have everything I own in it. Well....maybe not everything but at least some more stuff. I don't just love it, I <3 heart <3 it!!!


That's all for now, come back next week (or whenever I am bored again) for some more favorites of mine. Also, I have a feeling that there is a post coming soon about stupid Alabama (the university, not the state). Ugh. I'm currently throwing up my mouth...stupid Georgia. Ugh.

Currently in LURRVE with...

In my fantasy world, I'm kind of like a celebrity of the mommy-blogger world (key word being fantasy) and you all are so enamored with me that you just HAVE to know what my latest obsessions are...lol.

Well in real world all this may not be true, but I've decided that for today, I will share a few of my latest current obsessions. :o) Enjoy!

1. Parents Magazine--I've been getting this magazine since before I was pregnant (I justified it by saying it would make me a better teacher...HA). I just got the most recent issue in the mail the other day and everytime I get a new one, I fall in love all over again! It has the BEST articles for those mommies who are idiots, like me. Need to know what kind of tummy-ache it is? Parents has the answer. Need to know when you should call the doctor? Parents has the answer. Need to know the best minivans, suvs, and cars for familys? Parents has the answer! Yes, I am in love.
2. Chez-Ami clothing--ok so yes, it is boutique stuff. Shocker, I know. Most of it is way too expensive, but just look how beautiful it is!!!!
3. Jon and Kate: Plus 8--Have you watched this??? It is hilarious and awesome and I am hooked.
4. 2008 Chevy Tahoe--go look at this thing. It is wicked awesome. That's right, I said it, wicked awesome.

Well that's all I'm going to share for now. Enjoy!!!

In LOVE

For quite some time I have been in love with these bumpy name labels!

They are amazing!!!!!!!!

Seriously.

You can put them on bottles, then sippy cups, water bottles, whatever! It keeps you from having to use sharpies on all your kids cups and then it wears off and...pain. Also, when several kids have the same bottles or sippy cups, your child's is easily found. Also, they are dishwasher safe and fit on pretty much anything. Amazing.

I'm a big fan, obviously. Everytime someone has a kid, I buy them these things.

Well, now I am an even bigger fan or at least I feel justified in my obsession because the sextuplets on Jon & Kate Plus 8 all have them!!!!!!

I've been watching that show a lot lately...ok, more than a lot, but that is beside the point. All the "little kids" as they refer to them, have those labels on their sippy cups! Yay!!!

I <3 them!

Best Idea EVER!!!

Or at least I think so...

Last night I was lying in bed thinking and came up with this idea:

Grocery stores, such as Publix, should utilize their websites. People should be able to go onto their websites, add things to their "list" or cart and then submit when ready. Once submitted, they should be able to go to the store and pick up their items...maybe even drive-through style.

Also, as you run out of things, you should be able to just go add it to a list and then when you are ready, you can submit you list and then go get your stuff.

What do you think???

I think it is AWESOME but will never happen.

Let the good times begin...

In an (attempted) effort to stop online shopping so much, specifically on Ebay, I have decided to start blogging more.

That means lots more complete total randomness from the rambling mind that belongs to me.

I think the reason why I browse (I'm not so bad about buying things) is pure boredom. I'm bored. In fact, most of the time I am bored. I hear other stay-at-home-moms talk about how busy they stay and how being home with a child or children is a full time job. I think I missed something. Maybe it is just because these days, Ansleigh is so easy. Everyone keeps telling me that once she is mobile it won't be the same. Well, she is mobile...somewhat. I'm still bored.

This is what a typical "fascinating" day for me looks like:

• Get up, give Ansleigh a bottle, lay on the couch until she's ready to get out of her bed
• Play with her while watching Playhouse Disney until around 10ish
• Fix her a bottle and lay her down for a nap immediately followed by laying mommy down for a nap :o)
• Get up when Ansleigh wakes up (12:30ish), get her dressed, feed her lunch, play for an hour or so
• Fix her a bottle and lay her down for her nap (2 ish)
• Get her up (4:30ish) and then she has "independent" play time while mommy watches tv
• Feed her dinner (5:30ish)
• Hang out and eat dinner with Anthony
• Fix Ansleigh a bottle, put on her pj's, put her down for the night (8:30ish) followed by entirely too much ebay and tv

All the times that she's asleep are filled with with ebay, tv, and a few brief things that need to be done around the house.

Oh gosh...I think I just bored myself to sleep just re-reading what my life looks like.

BOOOOO!

What do these other moms do???? Can someone send me the memo, please?

Pre-Melbourne/Pre-Baby I was a busy, busy bee. My days were filled with classes, kids, athletic activities (coaching them...not participating), bible studies, hanging out with friends, roaming around town just looking at stuff.

Most of that doesn't even exist in my life anymore but I can't blame it all on Ansleigh. I blame it on me. I'm not working, thus, no classes and kids. My bible studies used to be once a week, now it is twice a month...and sometimes not that often. I'm making more of an effort to "hang out" with friends but let's face it, it is a lot more difficult to do so with a kid who naps 2-3 times a day and will only sleep in a crib. If I want to roam around town with her, I basically need to pack up half the house and very carefully plan it around her nap times. Thus, I've fallen victim to the internet.

Anthony, bless him, can busy himself for hours and hours and hours reading stuff on the internet. Me? Not so much...

This is what my web routine looks like:

• check email
• check "watched" items on ebay
• facebook
• myspace
• friends & family blogs (IF any new ones have been posted)
• ebay...for hours of browsing
• etsy (ya know...for that moment that I realize that I've looked at ALL the baby girl clothes sizes 6-24 months on ebay AND everything Auburn)
• people.com to keep up with my celebrity gossip

After I have exhausted those websites, I generally feel like there is NOTHING else to look at on the entire internet. Stupid, I know, but still true.

Other than that, I fill my time with Law & Order reruns and preschool cartoons. Nice. You're jealous, I know. :o)

Anybody have suggestions for what I can do with my time? You can suggest exercise, but just know that you can suggest it all you want but it still is not real likely to happen.

HELP ME!?!?! Or you are going to see me on the evening news one night, headline as follows: 25-year-old mother dies today of boredom. Officials are still investigating but say that it seems to be due to the fact that she just didn't have a life.

Rantings and Ravings...

Stupid, stupid, stupid Alabama.

Let me note that not all Alabama fans are idiots. I can name MAYBE three that aren't, but most are. This blog is based on a stereotype.

Yes, I said it. Before I go there (completely), let me explain something....

Only once in my life have I been that annoying fan and it came back to bite me in the butt. That is why I hate Alabama so much. 99% of their fans are "that annoying fan." Another thing I would like to note is that aside from that one time in my life, I have always been pretty amicable towards Alabama and it's teams (which generally is a cardinal sin, I know).

In the past two years, things have changed.

Just the sight of Alabama paraphernalia makes me nauseous...seriously.

The change in my attitude is a direct result of Alabama's attitude towards God, I mean Nick Saban. I have absolutely nothing against the man himself. I don't care if he is of questionably moral ethics. I don't care who he coaches, where he coaches, or what he does in his spare time. What I care about are the fans...the ones who have immediately bowed down to worship him.

Last time I checked, Nick Saban was not God. I mean...I guess I could be wrong, but seriously.

I want to scream at them all, "He is a coach...of a football team!" I also want to remind them that Nick Saban does not equal Bear Bryant and, for the 9 millionth time, Bear Bryant is dead. Promise.

I understand supporting your team. I understand supporting your coach. I understand being proud of both, but what I don't understand is why a coach is worshiped. Anybody know why?

I find it humorous that Alabama fans are convinced that they are in the running for a National title this year because...Nick Saban is their coach. If my memory serves me correct, they were all singing that same song this time last year and they ended up losing almost half their games. Even worse, they were beaten by LA-MO (who Auburn slaughtered tonight!) and Auburn beat them for the 6th year in a row!

Another thing that annoys me...CLEMSON, yes Clemson, was ranked #9 (ahead of Auburn) for who even knows what reason. But me, being the optimistic person that I am, had hope that they would pull it off, because I mean...it was Alabama. Idiots.

They played like big babies. Ansleigh could have done better. Now all those morons are already campaigning that Alabama is a "Top 10" team (currently ranked 24) and are once again, masters of the universe. Excuse me while I barf.

I love how Alabama can beat some GAY team like Clemson who plays in the freakin ACC and they are the greatest football team known to man-kind but just a few short years ago, Auburn went undefeated (beating SEVERAL top ten teams) and was denied the chance to play for the National Championship simply because we were Auburn, not USC, not Ohio, not Notre Dame, not Alabama. Idiots.

The worst part is that we looked at their schedule tonight and Alabama plays nobodys for the next four weeks. On a positive note: in four weeks they face #1 Georgia. All I have to say about that is, "Go Dawgs!" Seriously. I can't wait! I will giggle with glee all night!

Those of you who read this (who even does?) that have not spent your entire lives immersed in SEC football will think this is just the rantings of a crazy...and probably is. But WOWZA.

STUPID ALABAMA.

Now I'm all rilled up and will probably not even be able to sleep. Ugh.

STUPID ALABAMA.

5 and 5

Note: I saw this on Vanessa's mommy blog and felt like sharing!

5 Things I Dislike About Myself:

1. I am lazy more often than I am not. I don't do things that should/could be done not because I'm too busy, but really just because I simply would rather stay on the couch or in our bed.

2. I talk too much. Way too much. I monopolize conversations without meaning to. I'm not a good listener because I'm always thinking of what else I can say.

3. I'm a "nervous nellie." I let my nerves get the best of me. This stops me from doing a lot of things I would really enjoy if I weren't too nervous.

4. I spend too much of my "free" time on my computer. I could be cleaning the house, reading a good book, calling old friends, or even just watching tv. Instead, I sit and browse through all the baby clothes on ebay. Loser.

5. I'm terrible about calling people and even worse about calling people back!

5 Things I Like About Myself:

1. I like that I'm creative. I like being "that girl" that does all the artsy-fartsy stuff. I like being able to make things or decorate things for myself without spending a lot of money.

2. I like that I'm a cheerful person by nature--a natural born cheerleader if you will. It makes me excited and I enjoy seeing the excitement spread.

3. I love that I'm good with kids. Kids are drawn to me. I don't know why, but they are. I love them. If I were in a room with a large crowd of people of all mixed ages, I'd go talk to the kids and play with them. Sue me. They are fun.

4. I'm a shopper, but I know where the best deals are and very often, avoid spending more money that I would have.

5. I like to think that I make wise decisions regarding who I am friends with and who I will really trust with my heart. I'm picky about that. I'll talk to anybody, but I attach to only a few.

Winn's blog and stuff

So I just discovered my friend (I say she's my friend although we don't hang out...but I adore her so I like to think of her as my friend) Winn's blog today.

Wendi Winn

She cracks me up! She has a blog devoted to stuff she loves. What a great idea! I love it! Therefore, I'm devoting a blog to Winn's blog about stuff she loves. :o)

It kind of makes me want to post some blogs about things I love. Would that make me a copycat?

Late Night Randomness

Right now, I'm laying in my big ol' comfy bed all by myself. Occasionally this happens due to the fact that Anthony has some computer stuff to finish up or maybe he's playing xbox for a while and then he comes to bed. Tonight is different....

Tonight I'll be in this big ol' comfy bed by myself. Why? Because my husband is at the AT&T store in line for an iPhone. Yes. You read that correctly. He is spending the night in a parking lot for a cell phone. I love that about him...not the gadget-craziness, but that he's so passionate about things that are important to him. Sometimes I forget little things like that in the mundane ordinary everyday life. He was so giddy tonight...like a little kid! :)

Like I was last night when I discovered that the Kelly's Kids website lied and their Fall line came out early! I got so excited over expensive children's clothes that I can't really even afford that I couldn't sleep. I think I finally ended up going to bed at 3:30ish A.M. and finally falling asleep around 4:30. So stupid, yet, so fun all at the same time! That could be why I'm still awake right now at 12:30...because I caved in and took a nap this afternoon before cheerleading. Stupid me.

Right before I got up out of the bed and went to get my laptop (which I brought back to bed...probably another dumb idea), I was thinking about a message I got on facebook from my sister-in-law tonight. She sent me this somewhat random message that said "just a few things" and then had a numbered list of like...seven. :) They were just things she needed/wanted to tell me and I love just hearing from her. She's so....I don't know...Rachel.

I adore her.

I know that sounds weird, but I do. It's not that we're best friends....we're just...best sisters-in-law, if that even makes sense.

Rachel is so amazingly fun and also brutely honest (which I often need). I admire her personality. It is so different from mine. When I met her, I was so itimidated by her and frankly, a little terrified. I'm a people-pleaser. I just want everyone to be happy and everyone to like me. Rachel isn't and I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean, she's always (as long as I've known her) been wise enough to know that you don't have to be something you aren't. If people are meant to connect, they will. I try too hard. Rachel just seems to try just the right amount.

When we first met, I tried so hard to make her like me and I am pretty sure I just annoyed her. :) I was convinced that she hated me. Now, a little over five years later, I can't imagine my life without her. I can call her and just say something totally random and stupid and she understands....and then we can just hang up and not have to keep talking. She knows how to make fun of me without hurting my feelings (few people do because I take things WAY too personally).

She kind of reminds me of the way things work with my best friend Amy....we don't have to talk all the time. Sometimes even just once every few months but when we do, everything is just right.

She's just fun. Some of our (Anthony and me) best memories are just hanging out with Chad & Rachel. They teach us random games like "Buzz" which I suck at and the "No" game which apparently, I also suck at.

Anyway, I didn't intend this to go into a love letter towards my sis-in-law, I was just thinking about her and how much I love her. She told me (and often does) that she wishes we were next door neighbors. I'm wondering why God won't work that out...

It is crazy-amazing how God does work things out though. He placed me with my amazing husband. He gave my husband an amazing brother. He gave Chad an amazing wife (not to mention to freakin' awesome kids). I love that God chose us to be family. Rachel and I are not cookie cutter impressions of each other. We have things that are in common and things that are very different. God used her (and still uses her) to teach me that everyone you love doesn't have to be just like you (because lots of my loved ones ARE very similar to me). Never in a million years would I have guessed that one of my favorite people in the world would be a girl from Prattville, who had we known each other in high school probably would have hated my guts because I tried too hard...

Speaking of high school...funny how we change. Had I met Anthony in high school, I would have thought he was the BIGGEST dork in the world. When I met him my first day of college, I thought he was the most perfect man in the world....and he is...for me.

We have the best marriage!

I know people often think they do, but really, we do! We are best friends. We laugh and play and cut up and just love each other. Anyway...

Enough randomness...

Friendship

Lately, I’ve been reading the writings of John. This all started because I’ve never read Revelation before…it scares me and I’m afraid I just won’t understand. Anyway, I knew I needed to but I just couldn’t start there so I started with 1 John…he wrote Revelation anyway.

As I was reading 1 John 4, I read the verse, “No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us” (verse 12). After reading this, I looked at the commentary (I was reading my Life Application Bible) and it said, “Some people enjoy being with others. They make friends with strangers easily and are always surrounded by many friends. Other people are shy or reserved. They have a few friends, but are uncomfortable talking with people they don’t know or mingling in crowds….John isn’t telling us how many people to love, but how much to love the people we already know. Our job is to love faithfully the people God has given us to love whether there are two or two hundred of them. If God sees that we are ready to love others, He will bring them to us.”

This got me to thinking. I know some people (mostly people from Alabama) see me as the first type of person…the one who is a social butterfly, but those people who REALLY know me know I am much more the second kind of person. I hate doing group things with people I don’t know. I always feel awkward and talk too much and often say inappropriate things or things people really just don’t want to know about me. People make me uncomfortable.

The part that really got to me though is the part I have bolded. When God sees we are ready to love others, He brings them to us! In my case, he brought me to them.

This time last year, I was in a very strange place. We had just moved hours and hours away from friends and family and I was pregnant and sick as can be! I stayed trapped in our house and barely communicated with anyone. I was desperately clinging to the friendships I had and honestly, was not interested in new ones.

I think God knew that when we first moved, I just wasn’t ready to let go of what was mine, what I loved so dearly. At the same time, many (not all) of the friends we had in Auburn, were not and still are not at the same place in their lives as we are now. Not that it needs to be said, but God is smart. So much smarter than me! I came here basically kicking and screaming and now, I don’t feel that way. I’m almost happy to be here.

As time progressed, God healed my heart and showed me the ones I still needed to hang on to, but more importantly, that I was ready to love again. God did a little “summer-fall-winter cleaning” in my heart to make room for some truly amazing ladies!

The definition (at least the one in my Bible) of a friend is, “intimate companion or associate; one attached to another by affection or esteem.”

Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” We ALL know that we have to choose our friends wisely. This case has been no different. God is still watching me exercise my free will by whom I am choosing as my friends. He put a variety of people in my life and all of them have something wonderful to offer. The commentary in my Bible says this, “Our friends and associates affect us, sometimes profoundly. Be careful who you choose as your closest friends. Spend time with people you want to be like—because you and your friends will surely grow to resemble each other.”

I want to be able to enjoy the good parts of all the people God has placed in my life, but I’m starting to realize that I need to be spending more time with some people, the ones I want to be like, and less time with others.

No matter where you live or what your age is, for women, gossiping is difficult to escape. So are negative attitudes. Have you ever noticed when you are around people who gossip or are just negative all the time, you tend to be that way too? Maybe you are better at it than me, but I have a HARD time avoiding this.

Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” Lately, I’ve been finding this so true! I hear something about someone else I know and then, it is all I can think about. It is becoming more and more difficult to form my own opinions about people when I’m constantly hearing things about everyone!

God is such a blessing though and has given me the wonderful gift of some Godly women to be around. James was right when he said, “Every good and perfect gift is from above...” There are a few people that I’ve really started paying close attention to, and no matter what I’ve heard others say about them, I have yet to hear something negative about anyone come out of their mouths!

When I was growing up, especially in high school, I thought what was important was the quantity of friends you have, not the quality of friendships. Boy was I wrong! We all need at least one true friend, one who sticks closer than a brother. I’ve was so blessed to have a few amazing girls who were that for me in high school, and then a few more in college. Since we’ve moved here, I’ve been praying for that “true” friend. The person you can call at 3 am when your contractions aren’t going away and your husband is at work. The person you can call and say, “I broke my tooth and can’t take the baby with me to the dentist. Help!?” The person who notices you weren’t at church and calls to check on you. The person(s) who send you the funniest flair that is perfect and they know and you know you can’t post it, but you appreciate it all the same!

God has revealed to me lately that I have a few of these relationships that are growing into “true” friendship and I am so grateful for that.

In the meantime, I have Him. :o)

The sacrifices Mommies make....

Mommies make all kinds of sacrifices for their children.

They buy their kids things and do without, they feed their kids first and rarely get a warm meal, you get the picture...

Some moms make sacrifices that other moms don't. Some moms sacrifice staying at home and work to keep up with all the bills. Other moms, like me, sacrifice working to stay at home with their children because it is the best thing for their family.

Moms are these amazing people that you truly don't quite grasp until you become one.

I've been thinking about mothers lately with Mother's Day coming up and the things mothers do that often go unnoticed. Little things that nobody notices until they are all of a sudden not done.

Last week, I thought I was making a sacrifice, not really for my family, but more for my mental health. And in a way, I did. I spent hours at Central Middle School for cheer tryouts which was a blast but also exhausting.

During the days, I still had all my regular things to do plus a few extra. Instead, Ansleigh and I mostly napped last week (during the day) and all of my stuff I needed to do went undone.

My sacrifice was not noble. My sacrifice wasn't even motherly. I sacrificed my home duties for sleep and fun and you know what....

It was worth every minute of it! :o)

Yes, I'll have to do all that stuff and then some this week, but who cares? For a week, I had a life outside of this house. The laundry, dishes, dust, and grocery shopping will all still be here waiting for me and I'd be doing it again this week even if I had done it last week. I took naps, played with my kid, ate out EVERY NIGHT, and spent time being myself again.

I'm slowly but surely merging who I used to be with the new mommy side of me.

This weekend, Mommy's heart isn't guilty, but proud. :o)

Ouch...

Yesterday, Carrie & Faith Mace were sweet enough to watch Ansleigh for me while I ran a few errands. While I was out and about, I made a pit-stop into a children's boutique (it actually was one of my errands).

I walked in and began looking around when the well-meaning sales woman walked up to me and asked me when I was due.

Yes, you read that correctly. Now I realize that I am not a size two anymore but SERIOUSLY????

I know she meant well, but I pretty much wanted to crawl in a hole and die. It seems like I've been losing the baby weight but maybe not.

Do I really still look pregnant?

Needless to say, I told her I had a baby 4 months ago, and that I was shopping for a friend. The poor girl stalked me around the store for 20 minutes trying to show me EVERYTHING I could buy. She was a sweet lady and really was just trying to help, but before it was over with, I really wanted to strangle her!

Mommy's heart is wounded.

A day of selfishness

Today after church, I should have brought Ansleigh home, fed her, and let her get a good nap (because I'm pretty sure she didn't take one in the nursery this morning) but I didn't. I didn't want to. I wanted to go eat with the Moore's and the Lepper's...so I did.

When we left from there, Ansleigh was tired and fussy and instead of going home like a good mother (one who puts her children first) would have done, I drove to the Melbourne Art Festival and walked Ansleigh around in the hot sun for about 3 hours with Carrie, Faith, Vanessa, & Grace.

I don't know that it really matters that I had a day of selfishness, but in a way, I have mixed emotions about it. I've been struggling so much lately to get back to who I really am (someone who once had some resemblance of a life) that I saw opportunities and took them--no matter what I should have been doing.

I wanted a day out. I wanted to spend time with friends. I wanted to feel like I live here and belong here. I, I, I....

Anthony spent the afternoon at the Riley's (with his friends) watching a race and I just wanted that too...except not racing. Ew.

The thing is, Ansleigh did GREAT! She giggled and smiled and was a real trooper. When we got home, she ate her dinner and took a three hour nap, took her last bottle, smiled, and went right back to sleep. No foul, no harm done.

I'd like to think that this is the last time my selfishness will take over, but will it really be? How many more times will I do what I want instead of what is more important for our family just because I want to?

My question

Basically all my life I've been a pretty busy person, even when I was just a child. Then it was school, tap, jazz, ballet, gymnastics, cheerleading, church, and sleepovers at Mimi's.

In High School it was practice, games, pep rallies, proms, pageants, club meetings, and a school newspaper to publish.

I actually remember looking forward to college because I'd finally get some rest.

College came and went with classes, BCM, part-time jobs, outings or sometimes just staying in with friends, and always, always something going on.

Graduation came and went and with it came my first teaching job. Of course, me being the person that I am (someone who CANNOT say no), was involved in everything. Before I knew it, I was killing myself trying to coach basketball, and have awesome lesson plans, and always keep my papers graded. I would leave my house most days at 5:45 am and not get home until 10 or 11 and then there was dinner and a shower, and sometimes, even a tv show.

Now, I am still busy, but it is a different kind of busyness. It is a boring, stay in the house, kind of busy...if that makes sense. I'm not saying that what I do isn't meaningful...if it wasn't, I wouldn't be doing it...but it is different. Now I spend my days doing laundry, washing bottles, (sometimes) planning dinner, and playing with Ansleigh.

I am in constant conflict with myself.

I love my daughter. I love having this time that I'll never have again with her. I love that she knows who Mommy is. I love that I'm the one who watches her make new discoveries every day.

I hate being stuck inside my house all day long. I dislike not feeling like I'm contributing to society. I am not a fan of not having a paycheck of my own.

I enjoy that if I need/want to, I can take a nap.

I hate daytime tv.

I love that God provides me with time to spend time in the Word where it isn't forced like it was when I was teaching.

I struggle with wanting to go back to teaching now and wanting to still stay at home.

In the past, I always reminded myself (and it was a struggle!) to just be still and know that He is God. Now, I feel like if I am still any longer, I will become a statue.

So here is my question:
How do you be a stay-at-home mom with a purpose and a life?


I'm fighting to remember who I was before I moved and became a mommy and I'm struggling to see how that person fits in with being a mommy.

Because sometimes my brain won't turn off...

Why did I create another blog? Because sometimes my brain won't turn off...or maybe it is my heart that won't turn off and it keeps bugging my brain. Either way, I feel like I need a place that is all my own; a place where I can think and reflect; a place that isn't family-specific.

So here it is....Mommy's heart--a live version of that madness that resides in me.

I want this to be not only a place where I can just think and be, but also a place to share my inner struggles, prayers, requests, cries out to God, and what the Lord is teaching me. I guess the key word in that sentence would be "me." Is that selfish?

Some of my "new" friends gently tease me about blogging all the time, but this is something I need in my life right now and something I enjoy.

Keep up if you want, don't if you don't want to but know, that this is my heart.