July, July, July... it never seemed so strange.

The last day of July, it rained all day long. It stormed for a while, too. We had been wanting to go to Lane Southern Orchards - a Peach Orchard here that we haven't yet visited. However, we wanted to go half because it also has a playground and if we had gone - even between thunderstorms - it would have been wet and very short lived. Ah, well... some other time..

The last day of July, we cleaned up because we are having company tomorrow. Back in December we bought a washer and dryer from a couple our age. They now have a ... I want to say nearly three-month-old daughter, and Jess and I have been talking a lot on Facebook. So we decided why not just get together? Tomorrow they are coming for lunch and I am very excited! I really want to take pictures of Ella and Benjamin. Ella is so very cute. I can't wait!

The last day of July, I found out that my parents' dog almost tore into my grandmother's dog because she was getting one of his snacks. Bailey didn't get a snack after that. He is old and becoming quite crotchety in his old age. I blame my brother.

The last day of July, I did take pictures.


watching the rain. Kind of reminds me of this post.


watching daddy.


he started reaching for the rain.


He sits by himself so well now. it's amazing how quick they learn, innit?


I love moments like these.


Anyway. Tomorrow is the first of August. Where is the year going?

Kristen


* July July July, it never seemed so strange - the Decemberists.

Buggy ride.

It has been way too long.

I even missed my Blogoversary! It was the 28th. A whole year ago I had just started this blog! I had a post planned out for my Blogoversary and everything and I just missed it. Ah well...

A lot has happened between June 28th, 2008 and June 28th, 2009.

Last June we had been living with my parents. We had just graduated from MSOP and had moved in with them, and that lasted until November. It was a long time and stressful too! I spent the majority of my pregnancy there, and that is why I started this blog. If you're really interested in all that you can go back and read. I wouldn't recommend it, as it is quite a bit to backtrack to. But if you'd like to, what's stopping you?

Between then and now, we moved into our first [rented] home, and had our first child! We moved into this house in December and had Ben in January and... wow, I can't believe it is already June!

What's going on now? Well we are contemplating getting my own domain for this blog and I am really excited about that! Keep your eyes peeled!



Ben sat up in the cart for the first time on Sunday. He is getting really good at sitting now! If only he'd learn to get his legs up underneath him he'd be crawling too!

I am finally reading "Rhett Butler's People" by Donald McCaig. Gone With the Wind is my favorite book so naturally I must read anything related. I didn't know how I felt about it at first but now I am getting into it.

And now I want to go read it.

Ahhh it is good to be back.

Kristen

Show Us Your Life - Wedding Dress

There's a new blog carnival at Kelly's Korner: Show Us Your Life! Today's Show Us Your Life is "Show Us Your Wedding Dress".

At the time we got married, I loved my dress. Of course looking back I wish I had tried on more dresses of different styles before settling, but that is what I bought (with my own money - and everything was expensive), so that is what I am stuck with. Currently it hangs in my closet in the David's Bridal bag it came in.

The pictures are bad quality because they were copied off of the website of my photographers. And I can't get the actual pictures off the computer because the DVD doesn't work on either the computer or laptops. It's a shame! Can't even look at my own wedding photos - not that I'm crazy about them anyway..


This is me and my family. I hope you can see the detail on the dress. It was really pretty! It matched the detail on my veil perfectly.


There's the back. The train wasn't too long, which I really liked.


The detail wasn't overwhelming.




There we have it! A few pictures of my dress, albeit bad quality ones! That's ohkay. :)

Next week is "Show Us Your Wedding Party and Flowers". I'm excited about that one because I love my flowers. :D

Kristen

yes, I am here

I haven't disappeared. I know I haven't done a real blog post in a while, but bear with me. It's been so busy around here. I haven't been getting the sleep I need or desire. But I will be able to get a good post to you here soon! Maybe even now! Benjamin is sleeping next to me, and if he doesn't wake up while I am typing you may get insight into what we've been doing lately.

I met with Marissa from www.growinggreenbums.com to talk about Cloth Diapers and Moby wraps on Monday. She was so very sweet and even let me borrow her Moby for the duration of her vacation here in Georgia. So far I have worn Benjamin to Kroger and a little bit around the house and I have been enjoying it! You get different smiles from people when you are wearing your baby versus when you tote him around in the carseat. And Benjamin really enjoyed it too! He was kicking his legs and squealing throughout Kroger.

Last night we were putting Benjamin to bed and noticed he had hives all down the right side of his belly. So of course I get worried about it because every single time I have had hives it has been because of an allergic reaction. The only thing new we had given him last night would be purple grapes. Anyway we called the nurse hotline and then got a Dr. appointment today.. and Dr. B couldn't really say what caused it so we just have to be careful about grapes in case he is allergic. It's a bit concerning but we got a prescription and everything...

I thought I had a lot more to talk about but really that's been it. I have some videos to show you from Monday so hopefully that will make up for my lack of interesting talk! Enjoy!

Benjamin, You Are 6 Months Old!

What are you up to?



> You are so heavy... probably around 18 pounds. Wow! You sure have grown!!
> Your hair is getting pretty thick! Sometimes Mommy fixes it in a mohawk! All your friends' mommies and daddies seem to like it and wish their babies had hair to do that with!
> Daddy found 2 teeth coming in the other week! They are very sharp but you seem to be a good teether! We are so excited for you!



> You roll everywhere. Anytime I look away and then look back at you, you are across the room! I don't know how you do it! It's amazing!
> You can sit up on your own pretty well now, too! After a while you lose your balance but you are getting soooo good at it! What a big boy!
> Lately you have been trying to say "Mama" but it sounds like "Vavavavavava". I love it! You just jabber all the time now, and you love to laugh!
> You love food! You're not so hot on vegetables but what kid is, right? Unless it's sweet potatoes!
> You're really good with your sippy cup. We tried with a soft tip first, but found out you do a lot better with the hard tip! You love it!



> Jumping in your Jump-a-Roo is one of your favorite things. Sometimes you jump yourself to sleep!
> Surprises make you laugh!
> You are getting better and better at going down for a nap!
> Mommy has started doing Bible class with you on Sundays and Wednesdays!
> You love watching other kids and babies! They are so interesting to you!

catching up!

I haven't made a real post in a while...

So what have you missed?

Well, Thursday (really nothing much happened before Thursday), we went on a picnic since it wasn't ultra hot out! We got lost on the way to the park we intended to picnic at, but ran across a trail and stopped there instead!

It was really scenic and I enjoyed it...


Plus, we packed a good meal!


It was a tiring walk, but we made it... 2 miles, whew!


Ben enjoyed it, too!



Friday we played outside some with the neighbor boy...


Who showed us how to skateboard...


Ben loved it!


Mommy got in a couple pictures too...



Ben also opened some mail from his Great-Aunt Debbie


...teethed on a plate...

...which sounded terrible, so that stopped...

...and he fell asleep in his Jump-a-Roo (again)...


and in case you didn't see the previous post's video, Benjamin also did this:



Tomorrow he will be 6 months old. Wow.


As for me....



I'm spent.

- Kristen

Yay for big boys!

I know I haven't made a real blog post in a little while! I've been pressed for time! But I do want you to see something that Benjamin did today!!



Enjoy your weekend!!

Wordless Wednesday: Count on Jesus

For More Wordless Wednesdays, go here.

MckLinky Blog Hop!

This week's MckLinky Blog Hop, the theme is THREE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME (or US).

1. I call my mom every other day, if not every day. Ever since I was homeschooled we have been very close. I consider her one of my very best friends! She is a wonderful lady and I love talking to her. I wish my parents lived closer so I could visit over there more often! Weird, huh?

2. I am a Harry Potter nerd. I have been a fan since I was in Middle school and I always will be a fan. And not just a fan... a huge, huge fan. Like I said, a nerd. I read the 5th book in a day. That kind of fan.

3. I hate water. I can't stand drinking it. I do drink it because I know it is healthy, but I hate it more than you can believe. Unless it is nearly frozen. I had a hard time drinking all the water I needed to when I was pregnant, and my first doctor always got onto me.

Phew. I feel better coming clean. You should come clean too, and join the MckLinky blog hop!

blessings!

One thing I have noticed since becoming a mother is just how judgmental mothers can be. Well, women in general, but especially mothers! They have so much more to be judgmental about, I guess. The way we rear our children, the choices we make. Face it - every mommy looks at every other mommy when they pass in the store. I'm guilty. I am not proud of it. Every time I look at another mommy I have to remind myself that we are not all the same and never will be. We do not make the same choices. But I have no right to judge the mommy who pushes her baby around in a stroller (like I do) or carries her baby in a carrier (as I also do). I have no right to judge the mommy who takes her baby out in public and doesn't even put shoes on him (I don't), or the mommy who somehow convinces her baby to keep the shoes on (I can't). I admit it - sometimes I cringe when I see other mommies with their babies who wear disposable diapers. And then I kick myself because I used to use disposable. I even put off switching to cloth until we were out of disposables. At that point I didn't know about all the chemicals in disposable diapers. But the fact is, not everybody can do it. I understand that. Now, if you bring the subject up, I will spout off facts right and left. But I am not going to think any less of the disposable-diapering mama. It just isn't right.

So here are a few things about myself. I'm going to tell you about why I do certain things or plan to do certain things. I know there are some judgmental mommies out there and perhaps they are even reading this blog... I just want to back myself up.

I am a cloth diapering mama. I love it. I'm addicted to cloth diapers. As I said earlier, I haven't been doing this all Benjamin's life but I really wish we had. Yeah, it is expensive to start out with for most. For us, most of our diapers (all but 2) were hand-me-downs. It's actually made the experience a little bit worse for us than people who buy brand-new because the leg elastic was stretched and for some reason I can't fix it correctly. Anyway. It's expensive to start out with but we haven't bought disposable diapers since March. How awesome is that? We haven't had to buy a $20 pack of diapers since March. I'd probably guess that we'd go through 2.5 in a month of those... That is 5 months, times $60. $300 already saved. $300 smackaroos. Now, unlike a lot of mamas out there, my main reason is not the environment. I do not believe in man-made global warming. I do not believe the earth will be destroyed because of this so-called global warming. God has told us how the earth will be destroyed. However, this doesn't change the fact that we are to be good stewards of what the Lord has blessed us with, and He has definitely blessed us with this earth to live on. If I can keep one more ton of trash out of the landfills for 75 years, then great! I don't throw trash out of my window, either! But not because of "global warming".

I want to make healthy choices for Benjamin. I don't always make healthy choices for myself, although I am trying to change that, but I want to make healthy choices for my son. That's why I breast feed. That's why Benjamin doesn't get pumped with all these foods he isn't supposed to have. He's had tastes of things like ice cream or whipped cream, but for the most part, he will not have sugary things until he is 1 year old. I believe a lot of our health problems today come from the introduction of sugars and salts into our diet way too early. Someone at church said "He'll be eating cookies now that he's getting teeth!". Noo, Ben doesn't even know what a cookie is and we will keep it that way.

I could go on with my choices. I started this post last night and had to stop because my browser wouldn't let me continue. I could go on, but I'm feeling tired. Benjamin is on the floor, surrounded by toys. He likes to go for the ones far-off and he tries to crawl by pushing up on his toes. Every second with him makes me feel so blessed, and so thankful that God has blessed us with this little child to raise and to love.



I hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday!

Not Me! Monday - My 100th post!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


As for what I haven't been doing...


I most certainly did not spend my whole shower this morning thinking about what I could include in my Not Me! Monday post.... and then forget 3 hours later when I actually start writing the post... what was I doing again?

Well, I'll tell you what I wasn't doing! I was definitely not ignoring the 3-4 loads of laundry sitting in the laundry room just waiting to be folded... I am always on top of my chores, especially on Mondays...

I have not been digging through my maternity clothes to see what might still fit just because I know there are some walking shorts in there... I am so above that! I am nearly 6 months post-partum, I would never revert back to my maternity clothes!

Speaking of clothes...

I would never secretly rejoice that my husband bought new athletic shorts so I could continue wearing his old ones. Men's clothing? Me? Never!

So? What haven't you been doing?

edit - HEY! I just realized this is my 100th post! Woohoo!

Body After Baby: Start of Week One

Today is the start of the Body after Baby Challenge. I'm excited and I am nervous at the same time. I am so glad we have been put on teams! My goal for this week is to get more exercise. Currently I am trying to walk more. I'd like to walk even more, and instead of pushing a stroller, carry Benjamin.

Carl went into Kroger last night and did not return to the car with a 12pack of sodas, so that will be helpful also!

In December I am the Matron of Honor in my Brother's wedding, and then in May I am Matron of Honor in my other friend's wedding. I don't want to look awkward in my dresses so this will definitely be the START to good health.

Ultimately I want to feel better about myself. It's encouraging to see all the others who have entered the challenge too. I'm glad there are so many that will be cheering each other on. For those of you participating, way to go!

I will make a Body after Baby post at the beginning and end of each week to keep you updated.

no sleep, no nap, no problem?

For some odd, strange reason, neither Carl nor myself could get to sleep last night. Believe you me, we tried. We lay there for a good while, and I even closed my eyes to try and fool myself into sleeping, but no. I ended up going to sleep at 3AM, and he ended up coming to bed at 4AM. Not good.

And guess what - no nap during the day.

Well, I take that back. There was a good stretch of time where I was semi-conscious on the couch. I thought I wasn't napping because I was listening to what was going on around me. And yet I was on the couch with my eyes closed in a stupor. I wouldn't call it a nap as it did absolutely nothing for me.

You would think that such a night combined with a napless day would render us doomed to have any sort of fun on this beautiful Saturday. But you're wrong. We had a great day. We fixed Benjamin up in his carrier and went on a walk - about 1mile - 1 1/2 mile round trip, I'd say. We stopped at a playground at a nearby elementary school and played there for a bit on the swings and slides. Benjamin just giggled and giggled as his daddy swung with him. It was so cute!

I have some pictures, of course!

Getting ready to go! Me and Ben.


He was excited to get going!


Swinging!


It was a lot of fun and we didn't die of a heat stroke! Huge plus!


Daddy took his turn wearing Benjamin and they had fun.


This is probably my favorite shot of the day.


Getting ready to go back home.


All in all, great outing!



I would have taken more pictures but my mom called and so we talked a bit (meaning, all the way back to the house).

I can't think of anything else that really happened. I just made a casserole for our pregnant friend from church. She is having a rough pregnancy this time around so I figured I'd send something home with her. She has an 11 month old son. She has her hands full, and she's been very sick and tired. I thought I was going to ruin the casserole but Carl says it is even better than the one I made the first time! Good thing I set some aside for lunch tomorrow!

One last thing. The picture of the Barn on my left column. Project 365. Check it out daily. I'll post one new picture a day! This should be a fun project.

Good night!

about my family

Since this is a family blog, I felt it necessary to tell you more about our little family!



This is Carl, my husband. He is a preacher and a mighty fine one at that! He is my best friend and true love! He is super tall and comes in handy a lot with stuff high up on the shelves {because I am short}, and you can see for yourself that my baby daddy is handsome! He is funny and strange and entertaining. He is a fantastic father and he is Benjamin's best buddy! I love him so much and appreciate him beyond words! He is godly and wonderful and I respect him so much!

We got married August 11, 2007!



This is Benjamin, our precious boy! He was born January 19, 2009. He loves trains, airplanes, and cars and is a little artist. He loves to color! He also loves to have snacks, usually moonpies. Benjamin loves Dora, Thomas the Tank Engine, Toy Story, Blues Clues, and Backyardigans. He absolutely does not like for me to take his picture... poor dear. He loves to play outside and play with his toys. He is as smart as a whip and knows all kinds of Bible trivia {I kid you not! this kid is smart!}, his ABC's, shapes, numbers, and colors. We love him to pieces!



And this is me. Kristen. I'm 23, and I'm a stay-at-home mommy and wife and I wouldn't change it for the world. I never wanted to go to college, so I didn't. I got married at 18, got pregnant at 19, and had Benjamin when I was 20. I'm a fast mover and I don't like to wait around if I know what I want. I've been told that I'm "wise beyond my years" before, which I'm still not sure about ;D. I'm a Southern gal and I'm proud to have been born in Athens, home of the Georgia Bulldogs! I root for the Dawgs, the Braves, and the Falcons like a true Georgian should!

Most of all, I love the Lord my God! He is so good to me and has blessed me beyond belief! Jesus Christ is my savior. We worship the King with the saints on Sunday mornings and nights and Wednesday nights at the church of Christ. I would love to share the church with you if you are interested. You can find my email on the sidebar. If you have time, please check out this article which points out the simple steps to becoming a child of God!

So that's us. I'm so glad you've come... it is so nice to meet you!



A Side Note: I do sometimes write controversial/religious posts. I welcome comments from all viewpoints, providing that they are kept kind and Christ-like, that the person thoroughly reads the post beforehand, that words are kept in context, and that we proceed any discussion in a respectful manner, remembering that in the end, God's word is the deciding factor and anything we feel personally does not matter compared to that. Thanks, y'all!

Our adventurous Friday

Tonight was date night.

We went to Chik-Fil-A.

Carl found Benjamin's first tooth breaking through.

I almost cried.



It was Cow Appreciation Day at Chik-Fil-A, but we didn't dress up as cows. We should have! But Benjamin wore his Cow bib (my favorite bib!), and got zilch. Oh well. He didn't need anything anyway. Although, now that he is getting teeth... Big sigh. Yes, one is poking through, and the one beside it is starting to peek-a-boo as well. Funny thing is, we had NO idea this was going on. He just hasn't been all that fussy. I mean, we are so glad he hasn't been fussy. But this was just so shocking to us. He is growing up way too fast.

Another big sigh.

We went to the mall, and the boys got some clothes. Me? I was just happy to have my chocolate milkshake from Chik-Fil-A. I enjoyed our night out and hope that we can have more in the future!

Two things that irritated me tonight:

1. A van turned left in front of us when our light was green and we had already started going across. Risk your own life, but don't risk the life of my family. I can't stand bad drivers.

2. We overheard a child in Sears going, "Mommy look! Mommy look! Mommy look! Look! Looook!" Yes, a bit much, but that isn't what irritated me. The mother finally snapped at the child, "Shut UP!" I was so close to turning around and saying, "I cannot believe you would say that to your child." And Carl said he was close to it as well. I know my eyes got wide. I just don't see any justification for snapping like that at their child.



Anyway, we found Benjamin playing with three things he shouldn't have been today. Luckily he had his paci in his mouth this time, but we need to be more careful in the future. He found a battery on the floor and decided to play with it, then a visitor's card from church, and lastly a straw wrapper, which he crumpled up as if to hide it from his daddy, who had come to get it from him. Sneaky little booger.



Bringing Up Benjamin sure is fun... :)

This is the day which the Lord hath made!

We had a sort of shaky morning this morning. I haven't been feeling well so when Benjamin wanted me to be up from 6-8AM today, I wasn't too thrilled. But what can ya do? I got up. And finally around 8:15, Carl got up with Benjamin and let me sleep. He has been really good about doing that for me ever since Ben was born and I really appreciate it! It's been so good for me! He brought Benjamin back to me around 9:30-10:00 and told me that Ben had fallen asleep in his Jump-a-Roo - cute! It wasn't until a few hours later that I got to witness this myself! We even got a funny bit on video, so you can head over to my YouTube Channel and view the "Sleep Jumping" video. You know, if you want to....

Anyway, so after all that (after lunch), I decided it was high time Benjamin had his first picnic (this was around 4PM - and it was really nice outside). So I grabbed up a large quilt and spread it out, set out his Bumbo, and packed our picnic basket - and so we had a lovely picnic in the backyard. Carl read his book and played with Ben, I fed Ben and took pictures. I took a lot, but I'll only post a few. You can see the rest in this Facebook album.






















Anyway.

We got inside and put Ben in his Jump-a-Roo... and guess what? He fell asleep in it - again. Three times in one day! It was too funny.

After that, Carl and I had our dinner, indoors, which was a lovely salad with grilled chicken cut up in it. Delicious. And then we went on a walk.

So today turned out to be a pretty wonderful day! I plan on going to bed soon... or at least heading that way. I may watch the final episode of I Love Lucy - well, really it's the Lucy Desi Comedy Hour. After that - I've seen 'em all. And I plan to watch them all again. And again.

And again.


I hope everyone else had a fabulous Thursday as well! Tomorrow is Friday and I am excited!


This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psa 118:24)

EDIT/ New header for July.