Sunday, January 31, 2010

Kiddo Update

August 19, 2009; Leah turned two. I had been mentally preparing myself for this day. The terrible twos are starting. August 20th came, and she was just as wonderful as ever. I just knew I had been blessed with the best two-year old ever, who would obey me forever and just be perfect. Well, today at January 31st I can now say that thought is sadly untrue. The "terrible twos" are here. And they are so annoying! She wants to 'watch toons NOW!!!!!!!' and 'play 'puter NOW!!!!' and never ever sleep whether it is a nap or bedtime. I think I'm losing hearing in my ears from her screaming. So, we are just ignoring it. She will not get what she wants from me by whining and crying about it. But I talked to my mom today, and she made it seem like Leah is the only kid in the world to experience this phase. I almost feel like its somehow something I'm doing that is making my child act in this fashion. I'm just trying to teach her discipline, and make sure she isn't a spoiled brat. So, until someone shows me the magic formula for curing the whining annoying I want everything NOW tantrums...I think my parenting skills are just fine! One of the really annoying things about being young and having children is that people don't always trust that you have the 'skills' to raise a child.

Audrey is my baby from heaven though! She hardly ever cries. I love how she now recognizes my face and smiles every time I come near. Although...she has figured out the convenience of her thumb. I totally dislike this!!!!! I am all for passies! You can break a child from sucking on a passy, but it is so much harder to break them from sucking on their thumb. So now whenever I notice Audrey sucking on her thumb I quickly replace it with her passy. I hope it catches on, because in a year I can cut the tips off of her passies, but you can't really cut your child's thumb off.

Well, the hubby is calling me to come watch the Grammy's so off I go. I absolutely LOVE your comments, and would love any help with the 'terrible two's' that apparently only my child has.

Friday, January 29, 2010

It snowed


It snowed today! and living in the south means it doesn't snow all that much. So, my husband and I pretty much turn into little kids when it snows. And since we have little kids we don't get crazy stares from neighbors. I carried Audrey in the Baby Bjorn, so that pretty much made me the picture taker today.

Leah and Andrew had tons and tons of fun in the snow today. She likes to eat the snow, and Andrew encourages her. Personally, I think that's pretty gross, but you gotta pick your battles sometimes. Although I did draw the line at "Mommy eat the snow?"
Andrew and Leah built a snowman which I quickly figured out what to decorate him with. hmmm...no coal here, no carrots, no stovepipe hat, so instead we have candy canes, a luau, and a tiny lamp shade! Let me introduce you to Auburn the snowman:
and it is still snowing at 9pm! I can't wait to see how beautiful the snow is in the morning. I feel another day of sledding coming on!
**sorry, you have to turn your head b/c I can't figure out how to rotate the video!**



Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Scrunchie

Do you remeber these little gems? I seriously want to bring the scrunchie back into style! I know I joking put it up on my facebook this morning, but for real. I wear my hair in some way pulled up everyday. I don't have to look fancy or even put together for work (I work in a lab), so getting my hair usually consists of pulling damp hair up into a ponytail. Of course, this also comes from the fact that I am always running late, and somehow turn my alarm clock off like every morning. How much cuter would it be if I could wrap a scrunchie around it too! And think of all the cute little crafts we would bring back. I could make scrunchies for Leah and Audrey too...a minature one for Leah's hair, ahhh. :-) And ribbon bows! I absolutely loved the ones that had my name all over them. If you forgot my name, you could just look at my head! My mom had it good...dressing kids in the age of spandex pants and big shirts, with scrunchies and tube socks! It was like the age of the frumpy kid = awesome! Sure, spandex is making a comeback, but somehow I'm not feeling seeing girls' butts jiggly in their spandex pants and shirts that don't cover them. Wear a skirt! That's my view on fashion!

Leave with a Smile

Hey blog world. I really did not intend to start this blog and then forget it. Honestly! b/c I already have enough projects that I have started and left hanging...the family blog I started before this. I have just been in such a funk since Matt passed away, and I really didn't want to get on here and go on and on about how it is effecting me and any other depressing thoughts. I really want to focus on all the good things, and I do, but then I flash back to the mental images of the visitation and funeral and that brings in the sad thoughts. And not to blame another cliche saying, but I think some of this is increased hormones, stupid breastfeeding. oh and on that subject we started weaning today, woohoo. I'm a fan of cold-turkey, so a couple of days of painful fun are upcoming for me. I saw the family blog that I started maybe 6 months ago become increasingly depressing and reflective, like featuring pictures of storm clouds and relating them to life. I just want to be happy! Sure, my faith has taken a hit in this past week, but it is something I can recover from. And honestly it has done something to make me want to get off my butt in regards to my faith and get back out there! Matt sent me this facebook message:

Matt Miller September 28, 2009 at 4:24pm
When are you coming to bham next? I really want to see you, meet Andrew and your little girl. I need more Christy in my life than I've been getting.

I need more God in my life than I've been getting, and horrible be it the circumstances I am going to get off my butt and get more God in my life, well find more God at least. A week ago today I left a wonderful celebration of a great friend's life that had my laughing, crying and singing. He had over 1500 people at his veiwing! I told Andrew my goal is now to have that many people when I die, and he told me I'd better get started. Thanks hon, lol. So, I'm confessing to all of the blog world (or the three people who may read this) that I am moving forward. Grieving is hard and I'm not sure how to do it, but I will now always end my memories of Matt with a smile, because that is how he would have wanted it. Oh and Matt - you better still be reading in heaven because blogger is telling me you are still following! love and miss you tons!

and to leave you with a smile...a Matt memory

He started this 'game' we called the "doodie finger."  He would walk up to random people and slide his finger up your bum.  Yup.  And it made people jump.  Which was hillarous.  This was big on choir tours.  My favorite moment was this:
Before we sang, we always joined into a circle and prayed.  Our uniform consisted of white shorts and a blue t-shirt.  Very trendy.  Our director always wore a long white skirt.  Matt tells about the time he went around at the circle giving everyone the "doodie finger".  He went...shorts, shorts, shorts, shorts, skirt, shorts, oh crap!

We played this game called "Honey if you love me."  Maybe you've played it?  The rules are simple.  All you can is "Honey in you love will you please smile" three times and try to get that person to smile.  You went and sat on their lap, but all you could say was honey if you love me, will you please smile.  I could maybe make it to the second time with most people.  But Matt...no I was smiling whenever Matt caught me eye.  And if you smiled, then you were it.  Matt could always make me smile.  I was so lucky to have been his friend.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Pictures

I've kinda fallen behind on my Project365 pictures, so I just complied some pictures from events over the last month. I can't take credit for all the pictures. The first three are taken and edited by my friend Ruth. The next one is taken from Matt's facebook, and the last one on that row is taken from Kim's facebook. All the other pictures are from me. I found this program, Smilebox, that allows you to make simple projects for free, so that is where the collage came from. *and you may want to mute your sound b/c Smilebox thought I needed some 'groovy' soundtrack to go with my pictures*

Click to play this Smilebox collage: January 2010
Create your own collage - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox collage

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Turn it Down!

On the way home last night, we stopped at Publix to pick up some groceries (thanks Mom and Dad!). It was almost time for Audrey to eat, but we figured we had time to run in and just grab a few basic items. Everything was wonderful, until we got back into the car and poor Audrey woke up. And she was ready to eat, at that moment, don't even think of trying to put that passy in my mouth. So, she just had to cry it out for the five-ish minute ride from the grocery store to home. We told Leah to sing baby Audrey a song to make her happy. Of course, Leah said "no, Leah can't!" As we are driving, I look back to see Leah singing with her fingers plugged into her ears. She sees me peeking back, and says "Turn it down Mommy. Turn Baby Audrey down!"

Saturday, January 16, 2010

My friend Matt

I feel as if I'm in shock. One of my best friends passed away this morning. Please pray for his family. Matt was such a great guy. He would have finished seminary this May. I know he is in a better place, and that he is with God. I miss him already. Please pray for the Miller family and Propst Memorial UMC (Millport, AL). I can't imagine how his mom is feeling, or his dad who was with him. I feel as if my world has been shaken. why?

I strive to live life different. When I die I want people to say that I had a positive impact on the lives of the people that I came into contact with because I was willing to do things, say things, and give things others only dreamed about, and I want to have had fun while I do it. - Matt Miller's Facebook "About Me"


I am Matt Miller, and I dream of being the voice of my generation. I don’t want people to listen to me because some radio executive put me on the air. I don’t want people to listen to me because I want to one day sell a lot of books. I want them to listen to me for one simple reason: I am right. I’m tired of people settling for getting their information from people who are just trying to make money off of them. I’m tired of them going to churches where they are beat up and told that if they don’t do this or that God won’t love them. I’m tired of them putting up with a government that abuses them and thinks they are stupid. I want these people to unite, and I want to lead them

Friday, January 15, 2010

I Believe in Pink

Happy Freebie Friday! I just found this site, Kind over Matter. They have the cutest little printable cards and encourage you to leave them in 'card drops', just randomly place them somewhere that will make someone smile. I love it! Here are some of my favorites.

Love Cards : would make totally cute offbeat Valentine's day cards
Quotation Cards
Create Positive Change
I believe in Pink
More Quote cards



Cool goal list that helps you stay on track from Buttoned Up.

This is what I use to help with my weight loss. Food journals are evil, but they work so well! Food Journal and Meal Planner from the Project Girl.

And if you're like me and never can send anything out on time, here are some thank you cards to get those Thanks sent to your loved ones!
Birdies
Hope you enjoyed some fun printable stuff I have found! More projects and dreams to come.

You're Fat

While looking through blogs for links to update here this lovely pop-up interrupted me. It made me laugh, so I thought I'd share with you!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Colors

Happy Wedding Wednesday! Just so you peeps don't think I'm completely crazy, I am interested in possibly eventually planning weddings one day. I organized and held the first annual Budget Bridal Show this past October, and are in the planning stages of the next show. I do also just like looking at all the pretty wedding things and planning for 2012!!!!!

The most basic question is...what are your colors? This is my dress from our wedding in 2007.

I found this inspiration board that I love, and I think matches the colors in my dress very well. I plan on wearing the traditional white gown :-).
*Picture from 100 Layer Cake

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Chocolate Fix

I'm starting Weight Watchers thanks to my mom who gave me all the materials for it! but, I have a huge chocolate tooth? like sweet tooth? I know I can't starve myself of it completely b/c that will make me go crazy and eat way too much of it. But I can't buy cookies or anything chocolate to keep in the house and eat a little at a time of because I have no self control. I know that sounds horrible, but I have learned the hard way that if I know there are sweets in the house, I will eat them all. And its worse when I'm stressed out, which is most of the time. So, I'm making this Homemade Hot Chocolate tonight. I bought all the ingredients to make it for Christmas presents, but I am horrible at actually following through with my ideas. *also, sorry to all the people just now recieveing our Christmas cards* I can make the Peppermint and the Buterscotch versions. I'm so excited! Plus its always great to come home and settle down from work with a cup of hot chocolate!

Muscled Mondays Competition

Hey guys! I'm competing with a wedding blogger for who can lose the most weight per month on Muscle Mondays! Check it out and join us too! Her blog is great as well. It is The Recession Bride found under the Blogs that I obsess over.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Music Monday



I think the quirky parts of a relationship are what really let you know you are meant to be together. Andrew and I both analyze song lyrics. You could write a song about bunnies and we would fine some deeper meaning hidden it. For real! So, get ready for Music Mondays! I'm going to start with a favorite of mine, "I So Hate Consequences" by Relient K. Relient K is by far our mutual favorite band. We even named our first kitties after the band...Hoopes and Hawkins, lol!

To me this song speaks of my life. I am so bad at making mistakes and then running away from them. When I mess up, it seems that the easiest thing to do is just hightail away and forget all about it. But God doesn't let us do that, huh? The only way to get over a mistake and come to terms with it is to admit it and accept the consequences. When you do, you find God's love waiting for you.

I advise you to listen to the song above and follow along with the lyrics pasted below. Happy analyzing!

I So Hate Consequences
Relient K

And I'm good, good, good to go
I got to get away
Get away from all of my mistakes

So here I sit looking at the traffic lights
The red extinguishes the hope that the green ignites
I want to run away I want to ditch my life
Cause all of my mistakes keep me awake at night

And after all of my alibis desert me
I just want to get by
I don't want nothing to hurt me
I had no idea where my head was at
But if my heart says I'm sorry can we leave it at that
Because I just want for all of this to end

And I so hate consequences
And running from you is what my best defense is
Consequences
Oh God, don't make me face up to this
And I so hate consequences
And running from you is what my best defense is
Cause I know that I let you down
And I don't want to deal with that

It just now hit me this is more than just a set back
And when you spelled it out, well, I guess I didn't get that
And every trace of momentum is gone
And this isn't turning out the way I want

And after all of my alibis desert me
I just want to get by
I don't want nothing to hurt me
I had no idea where my head was at
But if my heart says I'm sorry can we leave it at that
Because I just want for all of this to end

And I spent all last night
Tearing down
Every stoplight
And stop sign in this town
Now I think there might
Be no way to stop me now
I'll get away despite
The fact I'm so weighed down

All of my escapes have been exhausted
I thought I had a way but then I lost it
And my resistance was once much stronger
And I know I can't go on like this much longer

When I got tired of running from you
I stopped right there to catch my breath
There your words they caught my ears
You said, "I miss you son. Come home"
And my sins, they watched me leave
And in my heart I so believed
The love you felt for me was more than
The love I'd wished for all this time
And when the doors were closed
I heard no I told so's
I said the words I knew you knew
Oh God, Oh God I needed you
God all this time I needed you, I needed you

And I so hate consequences
And running from you is what my best defense is
I hate these consequences
Because I know that I let you down
Now I don't wanna deal with that

Leah Moment: Nose Kiss

I love being a mom! This memory from this weekend just popped into my mind and it makes me smile. I thought I'd share with you!

I had just finished changing Leah's diaper (yeah potty training is still a work-in-progress). She was leaning on me and pulling her pants back up when all of a sudden she looked straight into my eyes. She then grabbed my face by putting both her hands on my ears and pulled my head into hers with suprising strength. With this very serious look on her face and my head between her hands, she rubbed her nose on mine and then started laughing. "Nose kiss mommy."

Free Stuff

I love all these free printables I have found online! Andrew bought some cardstock paper at Office Max so I can print all these out and they look not made at home. Here are a few links to my favorites. These are all from Erin Vale at Vale Designs.

Mom's got a Latte to Do
HoneyDew List
Missyou Loveyou
Blog Topics List

She has a ton of other free papers, recipies and DIY tutorials on her blog. Hope you enjoy them! And I guess in case you don't know (or can't figure out), use these for personal use only.

Leah and I made her a drum out of an old peanut container. It was super easy. I covered it with construction paper put on with double-stick tape and then placed the cap over the bottom of the can so it was open at the bottom now. I let her decorate it, which is always fun (I'll put a pic up here when I get home). We used colored craft sticks with double stick tape, stickers and crayons. She loves her drum and loves to dance to it when other people play it. Also, how many two year olds play a drum one hand at a time, in a rhythm? mine does! of course we did teach her to do it, but its still impressive right!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Week Pictures

I started this Project365 where you take a picture every day for a year. So, here's mine from this past week.
Wednesday 1/6/10: Andrew and Audrey...this is what I came home to from work. What you don't see in this picture is the crazy hyper Leah I had to chase, lol









Thursday 1/7/10: I thought this was funny. I opened the elevator and there this little guy was. He rode the elevator for at least half a day.












Friday 1/8/10: It snowed in Nashville! ok, so it dusted here. This is Leah's snowman! Isn't it cute! :-)












Saturday 1/8/10: so the phone in my battery died (really...I totally meant battery in my phone. I thought people only spoke things backwards). I didn't take pictures from Saturday or today (its charging now...charger just got here from the in-laws). So, here's two other cute pictures from this last week.

for more cute snow pictures with Leah and Audrey check out Andrew's facebook pictures.

**While I was updating this, Leah was showing off to Granna and her Great-Grandma and she had a mirror that was bigger than her face. She was looking at herself in the mirror and walking at the same time and walked straight into the wall. Didn't even phase her, as she looked at herself (like nose touching the mirror) and walked into her door frame. She gets that smarts from Andrew, lol!***

Eyes

I have a headache...and everything I see is blurry. When I get tired I see twos of everything. My glasses seem to like my in-laws house (in Alabama) better than mine, and they have hid themselves there. So much that they can't even find them. I really wish my glasses would come home...

Friday, January 8, 2010

musically cute

Even if it sounds crazy, I'm always planning our vow renewal for 2012. I wanted to have the huge spectacular wedding, but circumstances were that we had a quiet little ceremony with only our closest of friends and family. So, on our five year anniversary I want to have that spectacular wedding with the white dress and huge reception hopefully even with an after party (with the kids with babysitters!) So that's where all the random wedding stuff comes from, lol.


These are so cute! They would look good as part of a centerpiece, especially since we are both musicians!

















the images are from Carolina Cottage on Etsy

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Snow?

Where oh where is the snow? All the schools are closed (yesterday) and the kids get to play in the...mud? frozen ground? Oh well, at least there was no traffic. Today is the national championship in college football. If you don't know, I'm an Auburn fan which also means I hate Alabama football! But I always pull for the SEC in bowl season, so I rationalized a way NOT to pull for Alabama. I'm also a huge Tennessee Titans fan. Our quaterback is Vince Young who played at Texas. So, today I can be a Texas fan! Hook 'em Horns!!!!! Crush Bama!!!!!!


On another note, I found this the other day. Too cute! This is what I'm going to do with this random old frame I've had sitting around my house for almost 3 years.
This is from an awesome blog Shanty2Chic (http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/) Check out there blog for step by step instructions as to how to make this! How awesome is that! She used the dollar store to find the smaller frames, burlap for the background and spray paint to get the color she wanted. So totally making this...sometime, lol! I'll let you know how it goes. For real, if anyone knows how to make words links, please let me know!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

2009 in Review

You know, I was thinking I have enough Leah stalkers on facebook, that I should start off with a huge blogger fan base. Just sayin'...



Here's a quick look back on this past year:




-Andrew has been through three jobs this year...stupid economy, but we have been shown the love and kindness through our family, friends and church with how much they step up to help us!

-I turned 24 and Andrew turned 25. Yeah so I lie about my age and tell people I'm 25 too. It sounds better...

-We went to our good friend's Jon and Tif Haye's wedding. So much fun to see college friends and hang out at the beach! Sure I was the preggo dd, but I had fun too (laughing at drunk people)

-Leah turned two and had a great party at the lake!

-I organized the first Budget Bridal Show.

-Audrey Anne was born! What a great little miracle.

And this to a great 2010! Here we come!

The First One

Welcome...
Third times a charm right? Well, I think so since this will be my third attempt at starting and keeping a blog going. I think I can do it this time, so I better see some encouraging comments at the end of this post!

So, I've become pretty much obsessed with looking at other people's blogs and seeing all the cute DIY projects that one day I will conquer! Plus, I would like to keep up with my family. If I tried to call everyone, I don't I would have any time with the kids, so instead I'm going to post all the cute and quirky things they are doing now-adays. And I realize that the world has facebook now, but this way I can elaborate and be long winded without a stupid computer telling me I have too many words.

These are the main topics (labels) to expect from this blog. I'm sure it will expand as I become better at this, but here's what I'm thinking so far:
-Cute Stuff
--like free printables and projects that I one day hope to do, and then the diasters I'm sure to create when I finally try one of these projects
-Kid Updates
--because I know everyone wants to know how many poopy diapers the infant has had
-Weight Struggles
--and hopefully joyous stories of losses
-Project 365 (http://photojojo.com/content/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/)
--I'll update every Sunday with pictures from the week before!
-Love Dare
--I'm going to try to continue that blog (and the actually love dare) as long as Andrew doesn't annoy me too much...kidding...kind of

I hope everyone is as excited as I am about reading this! I hope I will be able to keep up with it, and figure it all out. Does anyone know how to put words as a link? Like I wanted to put the Project 365 as a hyperlink that connected to the website beside it. hmmm...
 
Find More Free Custom Color Layouts at April Showers