My Monday Mind Dump...

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things....

1. Christmas music 24/7! I can't turn it off. Even if I'm sick of it, I still listen because I feel like I'm supposed to listen when it's on the radio.

2. Right-out-of-the-dryer-and-on-to-the-bed sheets. Simply divine!

3. Pretty presents! I LOVE giving gifts that look as pretty on the outside as what's on the inside.

4. Snail Mail. But only the good kind, like Christmas cards or letters from our Compassion International Child. I've tried looking at the "bills", but it might as well be written in Mandarin because I have no clue what they say.

5. ICE COLD COCA-COLA CLASSIC. Not pepsi. Not Big K. Not Sam's Club. And call me crazy, but I truly believe a coke tastes better when Santa is on the can.

6. Magazines. Any kind will do, I just love 'em! Glamour, Southern Living, and Real Simple are my faves. Taste of Home is on my naughty list these days because they NEVER send me my magazines!

7. A crisp dollar bill...or 20 dollar bill...better yet, a crispy Benjamin! But I can't tell 'ya the last time Ben and I got together.

8. Laughing with Mr. Clean. He's a good sport...

9. My momma's cooking! She's 'da bomb-diggity!

10. L.L Bean. I love getting my catalogs so I can wish and dream for everything in it! Their wild blueberry jam is delish!

What are some of your favorite things??

Friday's Photo Flashback...on Thursday!

A Year Ago Today...

I have 7 younger siblings. I know babies. Growing up there was ALWAYS a baby around to hold, or babysit. I had seen 3 births, cut 2 umbilical cords, held hands while they got stitches or had emergency brain surgery (my mother has a weak stomach), and when these babies grew up, I spent lots of time kicking them out of my room or yelling at them when they drew with marker all over my BRAND NEW comforter,or barging in my room at 5 am ! So When I got married almost 4 years ago I was not in ANY hurry to have babies...maybe ever. My momma and daddy-o gave/gives every bit of themselves, they showed selflessness in every circumstance, they went without so we could have, and did so graciously (which I recognize even more now than I ever did growing up) and frankly, I was way too selfish and self absorbed to EVER do the same! I had seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it came to child rearing and I was fairly certain I wanted no part of it!

Around this time last year Mr. Clean and I discussed (briefly) the possibility of never having kids, and if that is a lifestyle we could see ourselves living. We did agree that although that would be fun, we may regret that decision down the road. No one ever regrets having kids, but we may regret not having them . But one thing was for sure: NOW WAS NOT THE TIME!! Things were good just the way they were. Just me and Mr. Clean.

You can imagine my surprise then, when one year ago today I found out that I was pregnant. It was a cold and rainy day (as every good story begins) and I decided I had better get a pregnancy test...or 4 from the dollar store. I didn't tell Mr. Clean about my inkling, because I was positive that I could not possibly be pregnant (believe me...IMPOSSIBLE), but something never happened that month that gave me a sneaking suspicion....

I came home and locked myself in the bathroom. I can't really describe the feeling I had that day. I felt scared and alone. not to sound mellow-dramatic or anything, but it was scary and lonely. Only my sister-in-law knew of my secret because we were having the "baby talk" the day prior, and I wasn't sure I could deny that I might be, ya know, "with child" (GASP! YIKES!)The silence was deafening in that bathroom. 30 seconds seemed to be 30 years, and unfortunately, I didn't need the entire 30 seconds. The pink line was there. Good thing I still had 3 more tests, I was hoping that the dollar store sold defective tests, that's why they are a DOLLAR, HELLO!!! I took one more to confirm...yep. My life is changed. forever. How do I tell Mr. Clean (aka El Cheapo)??

I'll tell ya how I told him. I walked right out of that bathroom and straight into his office and said "I'm pregnant". His response was not really one of joy and not a response I will repeat (if I'm being honest), and I began to cry. Yes, I cried. Not because HE wasn't happy, but because I wasn't. I know I may be awful for saying such a thing, but it's true, and it's my story. I can't change it. No more sleeping in, or going out on a whim (which never really happened that often, Mr. Clean isn't a "go out on a whim kinda fellow), and long gone are the days of using both of my hands. I was about to be tied...FOREVER. The one thing I was happy about, was that people would stop asking when I was going to finish school or when I was going to have a baby. Both questions I received COUNTLESS (did I say COUNTLESS???) times a day (Unfortunately, I still get asked when I'm going to finish school, and my answer remains the same: NOT TODAY)!

That day was life changing for me. And it took every bit of the 9 months and every last day of my 40 weeks (Kidd-o even gave me 2 extra days) for the Lord to prepare my heart, repair my attitude, and fill me with joy and excitement. Now, when I look at my baby there are times that I am embarrassed and ashamed that I was EVER disappointed and sad about having a baby! I have been stretched and grown in the past 4 months. And I now realize it is a joy and a privilege to give of myself the way my parents always did. My mom was right, you just "do it" you don't even think about it! And, our pastor's sweet wife had often told me: Once your baby comes, you'll wonder why you didn't have one sooner. I could not agree more! The love that I have is overwhelming. I am head-over-heels and over the moon in love. I'm in love with those little fingers that envelope mine in the middle of the night while I feed him. I'm in love with the way his little jammies hug his chubby legs and his sweet toes just PERFECTLY, causing my to snuggle just a few minutes longer.His delicious smell right after a bath is intoxicating. And that smile? fuhgeddaboudit!

If someone had told me one year ago today, that I would be "one of those mom's," I would have had to laugh in your face. But it happened. And I could not be more grateful it did, And I can't wait to, Lord willing, do it all again, and again...and maybe again???? but that's all....maybe.

A Friday Photo Flashback...In Leiu of the MMDump!

Aside from looking like a Soccer mom in my previous Friday Photo Flashback, apparently I would moonlight as.... a call girl? to put it nicely? Sheesh! I blame this fashion "Faux Pas" on my family. Why would anyone allow me to walk out of the house with these on??? I'll take it one step further and also blame the store which sold me these awesome shorts...but then I wouldn't have anything to look back on and think: WHAT WAS I THINKING!?!?!?!?

These shorts, unfortunately, are just one of the MANY stupid things I wore. In fact, as I think back on it I cringe, but I'm sure we ALL have had these moments, but hopefully you are lucky enough to not have proof in a picture!

Happy Monday!!! Happy Week!!!

My Monday Mind Dump...On Sunday!

I'm SOOO Thankful For.....

1.The sound of music. Not the movie, although I do love me some Julie Andrews and "Do, Re, Me...." stuff, but I'm just talking about music. I could NOT live without it!

2. The Chinese restaurant up the street. I love the chicken and rice soup with an eggroll for 3$!

3. Burt's Baby Bee Buttermilk Bath Soak. It is, seriously, heaven in a jar. Expensive, but worth EVERY.SINGLE.PENNY.
4. Epidurals. 'Nuff said.

5. My new "I'm a mom" slippers. My mom always wore/wears pink-peep-toe slippers, and I always thought that's what mom's do. So I bought a pair, but mine are cream colored, and none of my toes peep.
6. Fried Turkey. It's the BOMB!!! Can't wait to stuff my face with it...and that's really the only kind of stuffing I like, ya know, the face stuffing?!

7. Rice Cereal. I have now experienced 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep since I started loading Kidd-o's nightly bottle with it. Next week, he will get steak and potatoes! Just kidding...maybe.
8. It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Our church family, and our young marrieds bible study group. They love the Lord, and they just rock. end of story. amen.

9. I'm most thankful for my husband. Even more this year then I have ever been. He works SO HARD at a job he has NOT been enjoying (praise the Lord it has been getting better), all so I can have the BEST job in the WORLD!! He works 13 hour or more days, which has been difficult on all of us, but we feel it is worth the sacrifice (along with dinner out, vacations, nicer cars, etc.) just so I can stay home. Hat's off to Mr.Clean, my best friend!

10. And Finally... You. My readers. I'm not quite sure how many of you there are, but I have really enjoyed writing way more than I though I would. I wasn't sure how this whole "blogging"thing would go, but it has been a great outlet for me especially when Kidd-O is in bed and My Love isn't home from work. Thank you for taking the time to read about how my life has been changing and how our family is growing. I hope that my posts have been able to put a smile on your face, and I hope they will continue to do so! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

What Are You Thankful For, Dear Reader?

Friday's Photo Flashback!

I found this picture a few weeks ago when I was at my mom's, and yes, I am a mom myself now, but seriously?Did I have to look like a mid-thirties, soccer mom when I was JUST 17 ! I don't have too much to say about this pic, except if this pic is any indication of my aging process, I'm in for a rude ride!

My Monday Mind Dump...

You Know You're a Momma When...

1. You sway side to side to console your baby, only to realize there is no baby in your arms and you are swaying in the middle of the cereal isle,
2. You "hear" your baby crying all the time only walk in the room to a soundly sleeping babe. Yes, you are hearing things.
3. The above 2 could be caused from living on 4 to 5 hours of sleep per night.
4. Your purse has been replaced by the diaper bag. Long gone are the days of carrying things for your personal needs, you now need room for a change of clothes, for those untimely blowouts, extra diapers, wipes, possibly a bottle, pacifiers, burp cloths, an extra blanket, did you remember the pacifier?, rattles, a hat in case it's cold, are you SURE you grabbed the pacifier?....It's possible you're forgetting something to which you will deeply regret when you finally leave your house and you need it!
5. You really can't nail down plans for specific times, so every time ends in "ish"
6. Any extra cash flow that used to be for new clothes for you, now goes towards something new and cute for the kid.
7. You have no clue what you used to think about or talk about before you had kids.
8. You can't "just leave" places, you have to "start to leave", collecting all the things that you came with that you worked so hard to remember before leaving your house...don't forget that pacifier!
9. You realize AFTER you get back home that you have spit-up down the front of your shirt, and you're not quite sure how long it has been there.

10. You get pooped on, peed on,drooled on, puked on and it is worth it! It is worth it because the love you have for your babe runs so deep it hurts. It's worth it every time your baby wraps it's tiny hands around your finger, and looks at you with those beautiful eyes while you are feeding him. It's worth it every time that baby shines that toothless grin and it makes you think life just "can't get any better". It's worth it.

When did you know you were a momma?

My Monday Mind Dump...

1. I'm in love with the baby swing, so you can imagine my horror when it broke. Except it didn't break, I just realized my giant of a Kidd-O has reached it's weight capacity, so the motor can't swing him anymore.
2. There is no other genre of music that can make me cry at the drop of a hat like country music.
3. We ran out of candy one hour into the kids trick-or-treating...oops.
4. A kid (4 or 5 years old) came to the door dressed as a ninja and Mr. Clean asked him what happened to his arm (honestly thinking that a "samurai" chopped it off, and the missing limb was part of the costume) to which the child answered "it's a birth defect"....doh!
5. What's worse is, he didn't understand what the kid said, so he asked again what happened to his arm. He understood loud and clear the second time, and Mr. Clean felt like crawling under a rock and just dying.
6. I'm probably the most excited person in the world about Toy Story 3 coming out tomorrow! It's been on hold on my netflix cue for months!
7.Usually on Nov. 1, it is the beginning of the Holiday season and I start breaking out the Christmas tree and the Christmas music, but I'm not quite "in that place" yet...
8. I'm spending the evening making sure I know who I'm voting for tomorrow...YOU SHOULD TOO!!! GET OUT AND VOTE (unless it's not for the RIGHT candidate!lol)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9. So, Kidd-O is 3 months old now, and several weeks ago on a Monday Mind Dump I mentioned moving him into his own room, yeah well that didn't even last a week! I just felt bad leaving him in that dark room all on his own, I missed him too much!! Well, it's time. Tonight is the night! He's gettin' the boot for real tonight! I even packed away is his pack-n-play!
10. I'm not lookin' forward to this weeks weather forecast...blah!