how do you like me now?

Did you know that we have been living here in Alabama for over a year now? We crossed that milestone in early January - speaking of which, I cannot believe that here we are at the very end of January!! wow!! - and I gotta say, I  never, ever want to leave. I love it here so much. It didn't even take a year to fall in love with the place. I love feeling this stability, having friends, being able to put roots down and hopefully grow!

I was just going on a cleaning spree through the living room and finding it quite enjoyable when I remembered way back when I hated cleaning and you couldn't get me to do it without kicking and screaming. When my house looked terrible with piles of toys everywhere, dirty clothes piling up and clothes that needed to be folded spilling out of laundry baskets... where the bathrooms had towels everywhere and the beds were never, ever made. Yeah. I look back on those days and I am downright ashamed of my lack of self-respect and love for my family to make us all live like that. It wasn't dirty - but it surely was terribly messy and cluttered.

I blamed it on having a baby. Really, I was just lazy and didn't want to. I admit it.

Shame, shame, shame.


But now... I love to clean. I don't grumble {much! sometimes I do, I'll be honest!} and complain about it because I like to take care of my family and I like to make sure that my house is nice and presentable - because here, people actually want to come visit us! And we don't have to run around like chickens with their heads chopped off in a mad rush to get the house presentable the day before company comes!

How this transformation happened, I have no idea. Maybe it's just my perspective that has changed, maybe it's the change of scenery... no clue! But whatever it is - I'm glad it happened.

And I know my family is, too. And our friends, ha!

I know there are a few people who have known me all my life and probably remember how my room was always completely messy, how I couldn't cook {did I mention I also love cooking??}, how I just was not the ideal housewife material... I know they are surprised more than anything! It's beautiful, isn't it??

Ahhhhh.... I'm just going to sit here and enjoy the smell of my furniture polish...

Benjamin, You Are Three Years Old!!

This year has gone by so fast! I am shocked and amazed at how much you have grown! Be it physically, or vocally, or anything in between - you certainly are phasing out of being a 'baby' toward a 'little boy' instead. I love that you still love to cuddle and will sometimes ask me to sing Rock-A-Bye Baby to you... I know this won't last (because for one thing, you're getting way too heavy),  so I am cherishing this while I can.

Benjamin, mommy and daddy are so proud of you. You are a good listener, even if you have your moments, and you try to please us as much as possible. You are still growing and so are we - and we are very glad to be able to watch you grow up! You are a precious little soul who loves Bible class and loves to sing. You amaze us with your knowledge and your thirst to know more. You're so very curious and Benjamin, I hope you never lose that! Ask questions and don't stop until you get your answers!

You are adventurous and playful and I love when you ask me, "Mommy, will you play with me?" I love to play cars with you or play with your "Dude House", or whatever fun games we can come up with. I can't believe you're big enough to have your own bike, or to swing on the big boy swings, or any of that other stuff. But I sure do love how much you enjoy it and how much you enjoy life. 

We love you, Benjamin! You are such a blessing to us and we can't wait to see what you accomplish this year as well! 

some struggles lately

I am pretty sure most of you would probably agree with this: before you're married and you're single, people will always ask you when you're going to have a 'boyfriend', and then when you're a little older, the question is 'when are you going to get married?'. When that day finally comes, the immediate question from there on out is 'when are you going to have a baby?' until you finally have a baby, and then the question is 'when are you going to have another'... and I'm sure once you've had 'enough', the question will probably be 'when are you going to stop' (or something else along the lines of 'you know what causes that, don't you?')

Right now, we're at the stage where people ask us quite frequently when we're going to have another baby. I never realized the weight that this question (and probably the one that precedes it) can put on someone until I had to start answering people, "Well, hopefully sometime soon", and then secretly feel in the back of my mind a little sad because ... well, it's not happening right this instant, and the fact is I wish it were.


I mentioned "jokingly" a few posts back that we hoped this year we'd have a 'bun in the oven' at some point. It's true, though. No joke. In fact, we entered the "trying to conceive" (TTC from here on out) group back in November and have thus far had no luck in that area. And I semi-joked about it back in that post but it truly is no joke for me. I never realized how frustrating it can be to be TTC, because with Benjamin we really weren't actively trying.

Now that we are TTC, it's just unbelievably frustrating and I know that it's only been a few months so far but it's just been discouraging so far. I know that there's always 'next month' to try again, but the thing is... all I have wanted for like the past two years is to add another baby into the mix and we just haven't been able, between instability in job/money/housing, or insurance... and now that we are able to, and aren't...

Do you get what I'm saying? I'm being honest here and to be frank, I don't like feeling this vulnerable, sharing what I've been struggling with lately. I'm not stressed about it - it's just that when it turns out that once again we're not, I just feel so sad, so discouraged, and lost - like why not? Why not this month? I know I'm not the only one.

What makes it infinitely harder is when everyone around you is announcing their pregnancies, or have been pregnant for a while, and you're so happy for them but at the same time you can't help but feel a little jealousy. Ugh, I hate feeling that way. And then you feel guilty for feeling that way because you know that you shouldn't.

I'm getting better in that regard. I am genuinely happy for all my friends who are pregnant and I can't wait to see the precious babies that they bring into this world.

At the same time, I wish I could join the number, but I keep telling myself that it's all in God's good time. If He chooses to bless us, He will do it in perfect timing - because my timing is not His timing. And maybe the difference between Benjamin and this time when we are TTC is that last time we just put it completely in God's hands. And now I'm too focused on the 'science' of it all.

Anyway, I just say all of this to ask you for your prayers. Please pray that God does bless us and until that time, that I can be patient and wait on Him and do what I'm supposed to do, and to not be discouraged.

Have any of you experienced this? I know some of you have. What helped you get through?

precious Benjamin

This past weekend, Carl put together a swing set that my in-laws got Benjamin for Christmas. Benjamin has been all about his 'playground' ever since, but unfortunately it has been so rainy the last three days that we haven't been able to get out and play on it since Saturday! bummer! Benjamin has been asking to go play on it a lot and he gets really bummed out when we tell him that it's too wet out. Sunday afternoon he asked for a paper towel and when I gave him one, he went to the back door, ready to go out and dry off his playground so he could play. How precious! I melted right there and teared up because he is just so precious, and at the same time I'm just amazed at how much bigger he has gotten... I can't believe that in a little over one week my baby boy will be three years old.

I love love love this little boy. He's so smart and inventive and imaginative and affectionate. "Will you play with me, mommy?" has to be one of my favorite requests, because it's always bound to be a good time, and I love that he wants me to play with him! He likes to entertain himself a lot but there are just those times when you need someone else to drive the other cars around, or to make the big train tracks. I love the little games he comes up with. 

{forgive the auburn tigers shirt... we are georgia fans still, don't fret!}

Lately Benjamin and I have been singing "A Bushel and a Peck" to each other {at least the first verse}, and it just melts my heart when he points at me when he sings it, and when he sings it on his own and does the same. Every momma needs a baby boy to be so sweet to them! I hope he is always this sweet. Today we had a discussion about not saying ugly things to people, and not repeating ugly things to people. When I asked him who we want to make happy, he said, "Jesus!" - I hope he always keeps that in mind.

My precious Benjamin.... I just cannot believe it's almost been three years. Where has time gone?

Pinterest Recipes!

Okay, I know I'm not the only one out here who is in love with Pinterest. Go on, admit it. Most of you have probably been sucked into the wonderfulness that is Pinterest, as I have. I'm not going to tell you how much time I have spent on there... let's just say, I've been lightly teased for having it pulled up on my laptop in the kitchen while I cook... because I just can't stop! Ha!

I thought it might be fun to share some of the recipes that I have tried that I've found on Pinterest. Seriously I wish I had all the time in the world to make all the stuff I pin... but I don't. They're still fun to collect! I guess it's okay to collect "pins" instead of ... junk in my house. Speaking of which, we have been seriously going through stuff after Christmas and will continue to now that Ben's birthday is just around the corner... so much work!!

Anyway, maybe I'll do this periodically and hopefully you'll post some of the things you've tried out as well! I love getting those "Friend Approved" recipes.

{Lime-Infused Honey-Crusted Chicken}

{Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup}

-- this is what we're eating monday night!

{Crock Pot Chicken, and Rice}

-- we had this last night and it was sooo good.

{Pizza Wraps}

-- I did this for a fellowship meal, and took only one home.

{Crock Pot BBQ Chicken}

-- I have made this several times because it is sooo good!

And that's all I'll do for now! I'll post more another time! Have you tried anything lately?

11!

I was tagged by Memory a few days ago and decided I'd do this before I forgot! I hope I do this right...

1. I am addicted to Lipton's Green Tea.
2. My favorite holiday is Valentine's Day and I can't wait for it this year!
3. I spend way too much time on Pinterest, ha!
4. My favorite book {besides the Good Book} is Gone With the Wind.
5. My favorite movie is also Gone With the Wind.
6. My favorite Bible verse is Matthew 6:33; it has gotten me through a lot of hard times!
7. I am blessed to have been married over 4 years to my best friend!
8. My baby boy is going to be 3 in less than two weeks and I'm feeling pretty bittersweet about it!
9. My favorite band is the Avett Brothers and I have seen them live twice!
10. I have texture issues and won't eat certain foods because of them, such as tomatoes, mushrooms, strawberries, and other things like that...
11. I have anxiety issues... especially when it comes to driving.

1. What is the last thing you bought?
--- Lunch with the family.
2. Where is your favorite place to vacation?
--- Charleston, SC

3. What is the biggest thing you want to accomplish this year?
--- I just want to continue growing as a Christian and in all areas of my life.
4. Where is the farthest you've been from home?
--- Hm. I guess Wisconsin. Or maybe Iowa. I don't know!
5. What is the first thing you notice about someone when you first see them?
--- Body language.
6. Quiet or outgoing?
--- Quiet, definitely.
7. What is the greatest thing you want people to remember you for?
--- Being a Christian.
8. Who is the most famous person you have met?
--- The Avett Brothers

9. What does the last text you sent say?
--- "One Half. I went inside." with this picture: 

{benjamin on his new swingset. he has the best daddy ever who worked all day yesterday to assemble it}

10. If you could meet anyone, who would it be?
--- alive now? huh... I dunno! maybe the pioneer woman? because I love her cookbook.
11. What is your favorite Bible verse?
--- Matthew 6:33. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."




There's another part to this thing where I add my own questions but I don't have time right now! hope you enjoyed it! I will hopefully soon share some pictures of what we've been doing lately! Trying to get back into the swing of things, but you know, I'm also planning a big almost-three-year-old's birthday party...


{tear}


See you all soon!

oh so blessed

Starting off the new year with my beautiful family is such a blessing.
Even if I've been suffering from sinuses thanks to Alabama's totally weird weather.
At least I have held off on my letter of dissatisfaction about the amount of changes the weather has gone through during the past week.
It's still a blessing to have my boys here with me. Life is fun with them!

Here's the whole clan... My parents and my brother and his wife. I am so blessed to have the family that God has given me. My parents have been such an encouragement to me, and have always cared for us no matter what. And my brother and sister in law... I am so proud of the work they are doing in North Georgia. He's also a preacher. 

Blessings abound. Feeling really thankful {albeit sinus-y} right now.

a year in review.

so i saw this on marli's blog and thought i would join in!

what did you do in 2011 that you've never done before?

I moved to Alabama, ha!
We drove to Missouri for a gospel meeting!
I was home alone with Ben for 10 days while Carl was in Jamaica!

did you keep your new year's resolution? will you make one for this year?

I didn't make one. I didn't make one this year either. Both years I have just made the same guidelines. {that isn't lame of me, is it?} 

did anyone close to you give birth?

uh. hm. physically? no. but a few friends did.

did anyone close to you die?

no

did anyone close to you get hitched?

kristin & kaleb;
blythe & jeremy;
justin & ashley;
jessica & brandon.

what countries did you visit?

this'un.

what date{s} from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory?

granddaddy's funeral; the day we moved to alabama; ben's 2nd birthday; going to the cirucs; seeing the avett brothers; the weddings we attended; getting zoe; ... so many more

what would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

a bun in the oven. ahahahahaha.

what's your biggest achievement this year?

i feel i've grown as a christian, as a wife, as a mother, and as a person

biggest failure?

keeping up with blogging. i guess i'm doing pretty well if that's my biggest failure.

did you suffer illness or injury?

i injure myself frequently. and i had a couple colds, and an ear infection. nothing serious.

what was the last thing you bought?

probably groceries, lol.

whose behavior merited celebration?

benjamin! he's such a good boy! he's accomplished so much this past year!

where did most of your money go?

i'm with melissa on this one. bills, taxes, and food. 

what did you really get excited about?

my friends getting married & pregnant; the circus

what song will remind you of 2011?

november blue by the avett brothers because it's my favorite one and they played it as the encore at their concert! never will forget it!

compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

uhh. i'm sad that i'm sick. 

what do you wish you'd done more of?

studying.

what do you wish you'd done less of?

worrying.

what was your favorite tv show?

doctor who.

what were the best books you read?

pride & prejudice

the hunger games series

what was your best musical discovery?

the civil wars; the head and the heart; fun.

what did you want and got?

i wanted a job for hubby & a house to live in! check & check!

what did you do on your birthday? how old did you turn?

i was able to go back to georgia to visit my family for my 23rd birthday.

what one thing would have made this year more satisfying?

i would have been happy if the weather hadn't been nuts and if it hadn't taken 4 months to finish the windows.

how would you describe your personal fashion?

it varies from day to day, really. some days my fashion is "busy mommy" or "frazzled mommy"; sometimes it's "i have it together mommy"; and then there's those lovely days you can be in pjs all day long.

what kept you sane?

my husband. phonecalls to mom.

who was the best new person you met?

i can't choose. we made so many amazing friends here this year. 

what was a valuable lesson you've learned?

Trust.

Thoughts for the New Year

Hope you folks don't mind a repost!---

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I’d make a New Years Resolution if I thought I would remember throughout the year and keep it. But I know myself better than that. So I’m going to set myself up with a couple of guidelines for the year and if I can stick with those, I know I will be all right. I’m going to share with y’all in case you need to see them too for inspiration for your New Year!

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” – Romans 12:9

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13

May your New Year be blessed and may we all strive to serve God to the best of our abilities in 2012!!