Those Crazy Scotts

He just keeps growing...

2011-08-22T11:08:00.001-05:00

My sweet baby boy began his first day of High School today! I didn't have a chance to be nervous about taking him to school because as big and strong and smart as that boy is, he was nervous enough for the both of us! Beginning High School is scary enough for any of us. He had to do it in a new school surrounded by totally new faces. I pray this year is the beginning of wonderful healthy friendships for him. That he learns as much about who he wants to be as a man as he does about grammar and geometry. And that he realizes that God has a beautiful plan for him. I am so proud of the wonderful young man he is growing up to be. His strength and wisdom amazes me. I pray that God keeps working in him and he realizes just how wonderfully made he is, inside and out.

Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Hunter, When your older and you read this, I want you to know that you are the apple of my eye. I know you think I am hard on you about school work and giving your best but it is only because I want the very best for you. You deverve nothing less.
I love you,
Momma

We have moved!

2011-07-22T10:15:00.000-05:00

Look out world here we come! Ok, so we aren't traveling the world but we did move. We have been in our new house for about a month and and starting to settle in. We are now in a sleepy little park and trail filled town on the bay only four miles or so from Wes's work and just blocks away from the water...WHICH WE ALL LOVE!!!! The best part of all is that Wes is no longer having to travel for work and is home for dinner every night! All of the changes are taking a little to get used to. I am not even used to having him home full time yet, but it will be fun getting used to him again.

Morgan sure is loving it here. She ask to to the beach almost everyday! She is so much like Hunter in the water...just fearless. It scares the heck out of me but the joy on her face as her Daddy holds his arm over her and her "swimming board" and helps her jump the waves yelling, "Yeeee Hawww!" is so worth it. It is such a drastic change from her first impression of the waves; she said they were too "rolly."
Hunter has pretty much been staying between our home and his Dad's. I know us living closer to him is a huge relief for Hunter. He goes to SWAT camp at the High School for a few hours each day and seems to enjoy it.

Our home is a humble little house with a big magnolia tree in the front yard. The flower beds and such had not been tended to at all for years when we got here. Little by little Wes, and I have worked on it and have made it seem more like home. I will have pictures to show you soon
I still have tons of unpacking to do and lot of lovely guest on the way...better get busy!

Lots of love,
Heather

Dark as a Ravens Feather

2011-04-12T21:29:00.003-05:00

I read my devotional today and for whatever reason it inspired me to open up about my recent months and how beautifully God has provided for me and my family. Unless your incredibly close to me you don't know that I had some pretty dark days not so very long ago. I didn't trust or understand the new path God is leading me and my family on and to be painfully honest, I resented it. Moving five hours away from my comfort zone was not my idea of a good time. Oh how I LOVED the "idea" of finally living day in and day out with my handsom, faithful and very hard working husband who has been on the road for over three years now. Notice how I said the IDEA of it? Being able to make it a reality was a whole different ballgame all together. I have to move. I have to leave the nearness of my parents and my wonderful best friends. The amount of times I have taken for granted that they are only an hour away hit me like an out of countrol avalanch. My children had to change what was familiar to them. The stress of it all seemed to pull us all further apart when this seemed to me to be a time we should be drawing closer together. I had enough. I gave up. You see I hit my lowest low ever. Women who I thought were my friends turned out to be something different than I understood them to be. People I bent over backwards to help and do things for were nowhere to be found when I was in need. People who dump on me and use me as a whiping post when life doesn't go their way turned a deaf ear to my pain or needs. I felt unappreciated, ugly, unloved, and undervalued, stressed, alone, broke, broken, the worst depression I could have imagined myself going through. Why on earth would I want to move all that way to feel like that all by myself? And then one day it all changed...literally in an instant. I gave it all back to God. I remember the exact moment that I remembered that I am a child of God and he has big plans for me and my family. My biggest problem in all of this was I was looking for humans relationships or a "place" to fill a need in my life that only God can fill. What a WOW moment! And how awesome have things been since! Have things been peachy and perfect with birds singing and rainbows since? No. Life is normal. We face our challenges daily just as we always have. However, my attitude towards those obsticals is soooo completely different.

We have found a little house near Wes's job and will be moving as a family as soon as school gets out. It is near a baseball field, the water, the city park...all in walking distance! The kids are now excited! I have time to pack neatly and get rid of or sell what we won't be able to take. We have both a short term plan and long term financial goal. We already have word of a few churches we want to try in the area. I am getting my resume out there. So on and so on. The best part of all is no matter where we are, my family and I meet over the phone or in person to read God's word every night. For the past several weeks, along with my friend Stephanie, we have been reading 1 Corinthians 13:4-15...Just incase your Bible isn't near...

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

It is amazing how much those words can change your life, your words, and your actions.

Too far gone??? No way!!!!

2011-03-23T01:02:00.001-05:00

I just realized how few post that I had written this past year. What a busy year it was and so noteworthy! Instead of being a SAHM, I worked...a lot. Between my office job, planning a wedding, working at Mainstay Farm, making and selling my jewelry and bows and now teaching an afternoon class of three year old children I just didn't make time to fill in the blanks in type as I did so often in my head.

Both Hunter and Morgan have grown and changed so much this year. They are amazing and beautiful children. We are so blessed. Don't get me wrong, they each have a very strong personality of their own. However, I know that God will use that strength to help them later in life. Hunter is still all about sports and girls and not necessarily in that order. He had his first real heart break. His voice quit cracking. He worked both helping Wes weld fences during the summer and at Mainstay Farm in concessions and later with the Christmas Trees. I was so very proud watching him be a leader among his coworkers. It was a great experience for both of us. Right now he is playing baseball. He is very excited about making an elite team. He has a new sweet love and is maturing as a young man every day.

Morgan is into well...everything. Her vocabulary is amazing! She loves to tell us about how the "chicken bonked her head!" at her Gimmy's and how the chickens say, "bock do"! Gimmy saved her from the chickens of course. She dances all over the place to Daddy's songs. She loves the song "Bear Loves Honey". Every morning she looks out the window for the sun and announces that it is a good day and when she finds it is dark or sees the moon it is sleep time. Too bad she doesn't actually go to sleep when she announces it. She is quite the night owl. Morgan is also a crazy little mini me. She tries to stir the tea, beat the eggs, wash the dishes, sweep the floor, sort the laundry, match our clothes (she picks out mine...so fun), wrap her hair in a towel like mine, you name it. It is amazing how much you will grow as a person when you have a little mirror following your every step.

Stand up for whats right...even if you stand alone

2010-11-10T09:41:00.000-06:00

God

Family

Work

Everything Else....

There are so many times in my life when I have felt God nudging me to make a stand or do something and was too afraid...I wish I had stepped up each time he asked me to. You never know when that one little thing you do or say will change the life of another. Thank you Stephanie for pointing that out to me and teaching me something beautiful!

Love,

P31 Women

2010-09-21T02:38:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Proverbs31 Devotional? Oh, well then...let me tell you...I LOVE it!!! Check it out if you have a second.

Love & Prayers,

Me

Where is the Grace in that?

2010-09-16T12:06:00.002-05:00

Where is the Grace in that? This is my new favorite question. I am trying to apply it to all of my thoughts, words, actions, reactions & prayers. It is amazing how one little question can change your life for the better. My new employer and mentor, Marianna, asked the question in a conversation and God has left it resonating in my heart since. I don't think she had a clue what that one question would do to my life or how it would strengthen not only my relationship with God, but all of my relationships. The word "Grace" has meant so many things to me over the years. It has been my Mother's nickname for me for most of my life as I was such a klutz as a child. It has been in quotes on my desk and fridge. It is Morgan's middle name because we believe it was by the "Grace" of God that we were able to conceive after the doctors had told me for years that I couldn't. So now I look at my Bible and read what it says. In Proverbs 22:11 I read, "He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend." (Actually Proverbs 22 says a whole bunch of good stuff...check it out) Isaiah 30:18 states, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion." How awesome is that? If you know me at all you know that I REALLY wanted to put big exclamation marks after HE RISES TO SHOW YOU COMPASSION. He longs to be gracious to and rises for lil' ol me? Wow!!! I pray everyday that I live a life worthy of that GRACE.

It has been a long time since I posted.. Working, Wes being laid off and being home, life in general just got in the way. I want to get caught up on the kids updates so brace yourselves, I am going to cover a lot of fun times in a short amount of time. Missed you.

Hello Old Friend...

2010-05-18T05:09:00.003-05:00

I have wanted to leave my page dedicated to Bryce until he was found and now that he is in heaven I want to honor his life by sharing the beautiful joys my family brings to me. From the loss of Bryce I have learned to love my children, family and friends in a way I didn't understand before. Strange...just when you think you couldn't possibly love someone more...you can. Now, I hug my children more and hold my husband longer.

All these months I have been so afraid that I would forget to journal all the beautiful new things my children are learning and how much they are growing. Morgan is almost two....TERRIBLE TWO!!! She has been a heaping handful for some time now. She is talking more and more each day. She loves to dance and just be silly when any music comes on. She is so funny and makes us laugh all the time.

Hunter is still growing and is such a handsome young man. It is so tough for him. You look at him and you see a young adult, yet, he is still just a young child at heart. I am never sure which one I am going to get when he wakes in the morning. Some days it is super helpful and wonderful super Hunter to the rescue and others......well, lets just call it what it is...the terrible teenage years!!! Calgon take me away! He is such a strong athlete and hopes that he will be able to succeed in that area when he is older. I pray that his dreams come true.

He is so smart and just made NJHS. I am just beaming with pride for him! I know he won't read this for a long time as he is busy with school, sports & girls, but, I hope he truly does know how much I love him and very proud of him I am.

Wes has picked up the guitar and is amazingly wonderful at it. I guess some people just have a knack for it and he is one of them. He looks so natural (and handsome) sitting there playing his guitar.

I have a lot to update but must get some rest. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite.

Bring Bryce Home

2010-02-08T14:30:00.006-06:00

As I sit here typing this post, I still can't believe that this is happening to a family I love so dearly. I wouldn't wish this anguish and pain on a stranger and especially not on a dear friend. I don't know a single parent who doesn't have a story about looking away for a split second and there child was gone, running for the door of a store, a busy street, or wandering down the candy isle. Luckily, the stories I have personally been told all had sweet happy endings. That is what I am praying for. I have to trust that God is bigger than all of our fears. I have to believe that it is true that He has His beautiful hands on Bryce keeping him safe until his family can find him. I want to be there in Georgia, next to my friend while she searches for her son but since I can't be I am here doing all that I can. Praying, praying, praying, re posting and sending much love to them.

Please go to http://bringbrycehome.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=photos&ref=ts&gid=304542202320#!/group.php?gid=304542202320&ref=ts

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Bright and Shiny New Year...2010

2010-01-04T21:12:00.014-06:00

Wow, another bright and shiny new year! Wait...I haven't even sent out my 2009 Christmas cards. Oh my! Here I sit snuggling into 2010 and I am peacefully and quietly in awe of how rapidly one year ends and the simplicity of how easily things begin again...and yet there is a chattering lil' girl hiding in me that has a million things to share!
I have been quiet for too long. Where do I begin? My family of course! Wes is still a handsome and amazing husband. I am so very blessed that he loves me for me, just as I am, even on the days I look in the mirror and can't seem to love myself. I have never in my life known a man who worked harder for his family and I am so very honored to be his wife.
The kids are growing like weeds...wild and crazy weeds! Hunter is so tall and good looking. He is still doing great in school. He still has a heart for sports and spending time with his adorable sweetheart.Morgan is still a cute little mess! She makes us laugh and Lord knows with her hitting her terrible two's there are days she makes me cry. She is all over the place dancing, tripping, running, falling, climbing, and screaming, yelling, crying, and laughing the whole time. Unless she is sleeping there is never a quiet moment. As I rocked her to sleep tonight I thanked God that he is so healthy and beautiful.
As the new year begins I have many blessings to be thankful for: My Husband, Children, Family, Friends, Home, & Health. I am also thankful for all the new things I will learn or discover this year.

I have so much to say but I am afraid of boring you so I will end this here. I look forward to sharing new recipes, crafts, rants & raves, and of course stories and updates on my family. My resolution this year was to drink more water and learn how to sew. I will let you know how that goes.

Art by Susan Carter

2009-11-04T19:42:00.004-06:00

"All Children are artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. "
Pablo Picasso

All through my childhood I have memories of my Mom coloring with me or drawing for us. I was always in awe of the beautiful horses and such she would adorn our paper with. I wished so much that I could make a pencil magically create a masterpiece the way she could with such ease. Unfortunately for me, I was not blessed with that gene. She however, just keeps getting better. Hop on over to my Mom's new blog and see one of her pencil drawings. Better yet, send her an e-mail and inquire about purchasing one! Mention my blog and get a 10% discount off any prints. I hope that you see it with the same wonderment that I do. Keep checking back, there is more to come...

If my link doesn't work simply go to http://carters3oaks.blogspot.com/

A Boooootiful Evening!

2009-10-31T22:44:00.000-05:00

Halloween was so much fun. This was the 1st year for Morgan Grace to be able to trick or treat. It was truly a treat watching Hunter and Morgan W. take her from house to house.

I made Morgan Grace a tutu and paired it with a pair of wings so that she could be an adorable little Pumpkin Fairy. Hunter and his girlfriend Morgan were 50's Car Hop/Grease style characters. They looked so cute and classy! I was shocked this year at how little some of the girls were wearing! They made me so proud walking the neighborhood together taking Morgan Grace door to door and pushing her along the side walk. We have great kids!

I Will Give Myself to You...

2009-10-21T21:12:00.007-05:00

I have asked God for many things or blessings, better health for people, to mend strained relationships and broken hearts, to help me to honor Him, be a light, and so very much more but occasionally, I feel like something is missing or doesn't click right...like I ask a question and then insert earplugs...or ask him to show me something and then close my eyes. This week I found an old notebook of mine that Hunter had scribbled and colored in while we were out and about. Flipping through I was brought to tears by what I found. Between his pages of "I LOVE YOU MOM" and drawings of cars, Army men and American Flags, I found this:

Feb. 22, 2005 (Hunter was 8 1/2 yrs old)

Dear God, Help me learn more about you. Help me talk with you often and do what's right so I can be close to you.

Hunter

Feb. 23, 2005

Dear Father God, I will sing to you. I will bow down to worship you. But most of all I will give myself to you.

Hunter

Wow, all this time I have been searching for just the right balance of give and take and there it was hidden in the heart of a child. I showed Hunter his young prayers and even he was amazed at what he had written years ago. I even noticed his morning prayer seemed a little more personal on the way to school today. If only we could sincerely offer those sweet words in prayer everyday.

Oct. 21, 2009 (Mom 33~ Hunter 13)

Dear Hunter,

I love you Hunter and I am so very proud of the young man you are becoming. I hope you never forget how to pray from your heart as you did when you were small.

XOXOXOXO,

Mom

Happy 70th Birthday Daddy...

2009-10-16T23:34:00.005-05:00

For years my Dad's health was...well...crummy. Recently he has been blessed and been able to turn things around. He didn't think it was possible that he would "make it" to his 70th Birthday and yet he did. Living proof that it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Happy Birthday Daddy. I am so glad we were able to celebrate your Birthday with you and our family. We all love you bunches!

"Dance as if no one's watching, sing as if no one's listening, and live every day as if it were your last."

My BABY is officially a TEENAGER...

2009-09-24T19:06:00.015-05:00

How did this happen? Where did time fly off to? I think I am in shock...my heart is pounding...I am starting to sweat...now I am dizzy...it is official, HE IS A TEENAGER!!! Lord help us all!

Since everyday is a blessing, no birthday around here goes with out lots of celebration and celebrate we did. A weekend of Ranger's games, fireworks, watching softball games, hanging with friends, Jack Ingram concert, and on Monday (the actually bday) dinner out with Miss Morgan, his sweetheart. No Birthday weekend is complete without fireworks...right?

He still loves his Momma

Hunter listening to Jack Ingram

Always ready to party!

A few things to remember:
He is 5'9, 175lbs, and wears a size 13 shoe!

He is taking all four available pre-ap classes and is making straight A's!

He plays sports. Baseball, basketball, golf and surfing when he can, but FOOTBALL is his passion. He plays Fullback and Middle Linebacker. In his first game of the season, he scored the first touchdown and ran over 60 yards.

He adores his sister and his girlfriend...who share the name Morgan.

He loves to eat and never cleans his room.

Most important thing to remember...I love him with all my heart (even when I want to wring his ever lovin' neck :) )

More than a mustard seed...

2009-09-14T04:06:00.007-05:00

With my dear Husband Wes, still looking for steady employment. I keep thinking about my devotional and the verse about the mustard seed...

"He said to them, 'Because of the littleness of your faith [that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.'" Matthew 17:20 (AMP)

Did I read that correctly? NOTHING will be impossible to me? Why then doesn't Wes have work after all these months of waiting? Why is my house a mess? Why, why, why? I have more faith than that little seed. So I have to rely on this again, For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13.

So it is not about faith, it is about seeking Him with all my heart full of faith. I pray that I don't get so busy in my everyday world where it is so common to be surrounded with inappropriate language and behaviour that I don't spend nearly enough time seeking Him. There are so many distractions, so much to do, be here, go there, clean this, sort that, and all the hours I spend driving in that car! But He is bigger than all of those chores and deserves so much more of me. This morning, hours before my family will wake, I sat on my patio and prayed I could always have strong faith, that I would be a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend. That God's love and forgiveness would shine through me. That I could be better at forgiving and receiving forgiveness. That I could show others His love through me. The rest of it, is all small stuff in the grand scheme of things. I believe that God knows our needs and will provide for us just in time and I am so humbled by His forgiveness.

I borrowed the picture from Wikipedia. Take note of the tiny size of those lil' seeds. If faith that small can move mountains, imagine what we can do with our faith.

Always growing and changing...

2009-08-30T02:41:00.014-05:00

It seems that Hunter and Morgan are having a race to see who can grow and change the most at the same time.

With Hunter, I come home and feel like a total stranger is standing in my house. He is so tall and handsome. His tan skin is the most beautiful color I have ever seen and it draws out the green in his eyes. When he talks I catch myself staring at him as if he were an alien! What happened to the cute cracking voice of my little boy!? Now he sounds so grown up and well...kinda rude!!! I was not ready for all this. My sweet thoughtful, helpful, brilliant Hunter Bear has turned into a hormonal know-it-all teenager. It leaves me sitting here wish for a whole pitcher of margaritas and asking what happened? Is there a cure for this? Maybe an instruction manual? HELP! Again, I am not ready for this!!!

My little Bear started 7th grade last week. He was so anxious and nervous it was kinda sweet. He is in all four available pre-ap classes again this year. He just took a placement test for math Friday and we received an e-mail that he did really well. We were relieved as it is his least favorite class and I was second guessing my decision to keep him in the advanced class. Now I have to giggle because as a 7th grader he is in a higher level class than his father and I took as a senior in high school. That is just sad! This will be his first year to play football for his school and is thrilled. He hasn't complained once about getting up early to be at practice at 7:15 a.m. He likes to be there early too. We can't wait to find out which team he made so we can see his schedule. He weighed himself the other day and was 175lbs, he is about 5'8-9, and wearing a size 13 Nike (with a little room to grow)!

On to smaller problems, I mean children...Miss Morgan. Let me tell you, this girl is a mess. I know I have said this before, but the mess got bigger! Much like her big brother, she is beautiful and brilliant, and much like him she is hardheaded and well...rude. Seriously? Did I just say that my 15 month old angel is rude? I sure did! She goes from lovingly doting me with kisses to slapping or hitting or just ripping through a room like a lil' Texas tornado. She hates the word "no" and boy does she let us know it. You would think that hearing it a million times a day she would understand the meaning. Apparently not. Actually, that is not true. She has no problem telling me "no" when I am about to discipline her, take something away, or attempt a time out.

Her vocabulary seems to grow everyday and keeps us laughing as she mimics us. She has started calling Wes Da more than Daddy. Sometimes when I call out his name you will hear this sweet whisper of her saying, "Wes" behind me. When Wes was peeling her banana (her favorite breakfast) she said, "me, me,me, me, me, me" while motioning her hands as if to say give it to me! The week before last, she clearly said, "bye" as she hung up her play phone. We have been trying to get her to say Grammy forever and on Thursday she Finally called out to her plain as day with Gram! I think it made Grammy's day. I am sure I will have to come back and add to this list but here is a list of words and phrases she now says: Momma, Daddy, Da, Bubba, Me, dog, dog sit, I did that, it did that, whats that, shoes (shoosh), Gram, Papa, Nana (was nana for banana but she quit calling it anything at all), love, and today she said, "thank you" as she handed me the dirty laundry over and over. She can sign more but not as often as I would like. I will ask Wes and Hunter to remind me of the words I have forgotten in the morning.

As for me and Wes, we are still praying that he finds a job soon. The financial strain puts such a heavy weight on all of our emotions lately. Whenever I want to feel sorry for myself I am reminded of how blessed we are to all be healthy and for our beautiful children. There are so many worse pains and burdens so many families struggle through. This is hard, but we will recover. We still have faith that God has a beautiful plan for our family.

Picture Perfect Tutu...

2009-08-23T23:54:00.007-05:00

A while back I made my first tutu for Morgan so that we could have her pictures done with it and then let her have a blast dancing around the house. When I saw her pictures I realized how sweet it made her look! Sooooo....I decided to make them and sell them! You know what??? I have been having so much fun making tutu's! I broke my good camera but was able to snap a few pictures with our cheapo camera to give you an idea what they look like.

You can custom order any colors your little heart desires. For a little extra I can add ribbon, flowers, rhinestones and such. The best part of all of this is that if you order a tutu from me, Brooke of Maddie Pie Creations will give you a discount on a mini session for your little princess! How cool is that? You have to flip over to her blog asap because the special only last until the end of September :)

Finally, Hunter is Home!!!!

2009-08-10T05:58:00.003-05:00

I have missed him all summer and just couldn't wait to see my handsome boy last Sunday. Driving there, I was so excited that my tummy turned like it does just before you step on a roller coaster. I wondered how much he had changed in the 50 days he spent with his Father. Hunter has always been a little taller than most of his classmates so I expected that he had grown. I didn't expect him to be taller than both his Father and I! I was shocked to be looking up at my 12 year old while he looked down and grinned at me. Morgan was shy with him and you could tell he was hurt that she wouldn't go to him and buried her face against me so he couldn't see her. All summer she has been shy with all men except her Daddy. It didn't take her long to warm up to him and soon they were both giggling and laughing in a way that they only do with each other. It was heart warming.
Hunter came home standing about 5'9-5'10 and wearing a size 13 shoe! My little boy is now a very handsome young man. We had some issues to go over and new ground rules when he got home. He handled the change really well and we had a great first week just hanging out at home. We took his little girlfriend to the movies too. Hopefully this week we will get out and about and see more of his friends. Off we go....

Morgan's Photoshoot with MaddiePie Creations

2009-07-20T05:02:00.010-05:00

I asked Brooke of MaddiePie Creations to shoot Morgan's one year pictures for us and much to my delight she was able to fit us in! She was wonderful and patient with Morgan which as we all know is much needed with a one year old. We are so impressed! She really captured Morgan's little personality in the pictures. I can't wait to print and frame them!

Go on over to her blog and check out her work. Better yet, book a session with her. You won't be disappointed!

If you can't stand the heat, get out of my kitchen...

2009-07-20T04:14:00.006-05:00

Desperate times call for desperate measures and I have been trying to find ways to be more thrifty with my time and our money. One of the things I have been doing is preparing all of Wes's meals for the week on Sunday. This way I just divide up the food and we both have a weeks worth of meals without a ton of dishes or two grocery bills. So many people have asked for the recipes each week I thought I would post a few of them here.
On top of my normal routine to cook all day and night on Sunday, I was treated to a fun surprise when we opened the deep freezer on Saturday and found that it was not working!!! HORROR!!! Most of the food was still good and some was even still frozen. God must have sent an angel to keep it cool in there. Seems like it had been 103 plus temperatures outside all week and yet, my food was spared. We had a smorgasbord of food Saturday cooking the thawed frozen dinners. What we couldn't refreeze we cooked, and cooked, and grilled, and cooked. Wes grilled steaks & pork chops. We made homemade BBQ chicken in the crock pot. I am trying to satisfy Wes's request for "cool" foods to help him beat the heat so I prepared Honey Mustard Chicken Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Chicken and Grape Salad, Fresh Salsa, and a bushel of fresh fruits for him. I had to rescue the frozen hashbrowns so he also ended up with a Hashbrown Casserole and my variation of a Breakfast Pizza. You can click on the meals above to view the recipes.

BREAKFAST PIZZA

1 lb. bulk pork sausage
1 refrigerated pizza crust
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese, Swiss or Monterey Jack
2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
5 eggs
1/4 c. milk
1 small onion
1 bell pepper (I used yellow but red would have been better)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
Brown sausage and drain. Roll pizza doe out on cookie sheet. Press over bottom and up sides to form crust. Sprinkle with sausage. Cover sausage with chopped onion and bell pepper. Top with cheese. In bowl, beat eggs, milk, salt, pepper and sauce. Pour over sausage. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake in 375 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Supposedly great for that holiday breakfast.
****I was originally going to use a bag of frozen hashbrowns (thawed and patted dry) but ruined them and had to improvise...it was delish!!!

Let me know what you think of the recipes. Smooches y'all!

It is toooo HOT!!!

2009-07-18T13:47:00.008-05:00

If you are anywhere near Texas or the South in general you know that it has been just too darn hot to do much of anything outside. We have ventured out a little in the mornings to the park and zoo, but were miserable and tired at the end of the day. It is all I can do to get the yard mowed without having a heat stroke. As you can see, Morgan is happy cooling off in a pool!

Poor Wesley. I simply don't know how he works outside in the heat all day. While he is building this school he is completely exposed with nothing but his little hard hat to keep him cool. I don't even want to think about how hot he gets while welding with the hood and heavy long sleeves on...yuck! Just another reason for me to be so proud of him and how hard he works for our family.

On a cooler note...

A few weeks ago I started keeping two little girls A-7 and L-9. I have them about two weeks of the month. They are a treat! Morgan is having a great time and looks forward to them getting here in the mornings. She greets them with a huge smile and claps because they are here. We have a few indoor field trips I would like to take them on to get out of the house but still escape the heat. Maybe the OMNI, a museum, the movies, who knows. We had a great time making glass bead magnets together and have more crafts lined up. I will post pictures if we ever get to complete them.

Other than Morgan growing like a weed, nothing around here has changed. House is still a wreck, I miss Hunter more then I thought was possible, Wes is still looking for permanent employment, and God is still good.

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-05T00:43:00.006-05:00

More than anything else, I want to take a minute to thank my husband, my father, my friends, and all of those who have served America! Because of your sacrifice, I am able to FREELY sit here today reading my devotional, praying to God, and loving my family. You all gave and give so much and get so little in return. For those of you who served in the past, you are always remembered in our home. For those of you serving now, we pray for your safe return home. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. Our family applauds & salutes you!

Wes, Morgan & I spent the evening at home grilling and just hanging out. We had another delicious dinner after the local fireworks show was over. We grilled brisket, sauteed summer squash w/onion & mushrooms again, and boiled baby red potatoes with fresh corn on the cob. I love all of the grilling and fresh food we get to enjoy when Wes is home! I also love the cuddling and dancing for Morgan in the living room. I already have a roast in the crock pot for Italian sandwiches tomorrow and will let you know how that turns out. Smells heavenly! Thank you again to Mommaloo and her family for the wonderful blessing you gave us this week!

Scott Family Updates...

2009-06-29T16:10:00.002-05:00

Since so many of you are praying for us, I thought I would give some updates. First, thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Please keep it coming and please know that we are praying for you too.
As you know, Wes has been looking for steady work since late April, when he completed the power plant in Colorado. Until now, nothing promising has been offered. Bless his heart, he has applied for well over 300-400 jobs in the past few months. As a wife, this has been one of the hardest things to watch. He prides himself in providing for our family. Those of you, who know us well, know that he has climbed unimaginable obstacles to get where he is. God obviously has big plans for him and I couldn’t be more proud of him. We heard promising news that the Boilermaker Union that Wes works for is hoping to have more work by September…that is wonderful, but we will starve and be homeless by then! We are so grateful for the odd jobs my Mom, Dad, and friends have had for us to help us get by. More than anything we are holding tight to our faith that God will provide for us. He always has. Wes has taken a job welding in Tyler, TX. The pay is horrible, but is more than we would earn on unemployment so it is a blessing. They do pay for his hotel and his food allowance will help with fuel. Also, Tyler is a whole lot closer than Colorado so that is a HUGE plus for me.
I cooked all day yesterday so that he would have a weeks worth of food without it costing us anything more. I sent him with a cooler full of my meatloaf meatballs, crock pot chicken, rice, summer squash casserole, buttermilk chicken, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, yogurt, sandwich fixings and baked him some butter crunch cookies. So now that I have finally gotten used to having him home for meals as a family, he is gone again...but with good food. I hope that when he is having his home cooked dinner, he can see a little of how much I love him.

After many years of long commutes and being mentally and emotionally consumed with work, I have been incredibly blessed this past year in being able to be home with my children. I love taking Hunter to and from school and getting him off to practice on time. I know that it isn’t enough to make up for all the years he spent in after school care, but he knows that I was working hard to take care of him. Being home with Morgan has been equally enjoyable. Being here to watch her learn and grown is so awesome. The two of them make me feel as if I have done something wonderful everyday. With that said, I couldn’t let Wes work so hard to find a job and not try to help more, so I updated my resume and applied for work too. Who knew that taking just a year off would cause me to feel so out of touch with the rest of the working world? This was a practical, but difficult decision for me. I truly believe that I serve my family better being home, but I have to try. Just the cost of childcare and fuel alone makes the job search a daunting task. So far no bites, but as we all know, God is good. After the 4th of July holiday, I will be taking care of two adorable little girls, ages 6 & 10, every other week. I also have a house lined up to clean every other week where I can take Morgan with me! My Mom has a list of things I can do for her to help her get caught up and organized too. This isn’t what I was looking for at all and will need to find a few more houses to clean or drop in’s to make it profitable, but what a blessing!!! I am so excited!!! They are so well behaved I don't worry about bringing them with me to MTM play dates!!! I miss you girls!!! Maybe I can offer a Mother’s Day Out to my friends a few days a week and see how that goes. I am just happy to be able to help Wes and still be here for my children.

As for the kids, Hunter is having a blast with his Dad and Charity in Houston. They took a long weekend and went to the river. He is like me, happy anywhere there is water and family. Morgan is learning and changing every day. She grabs on to our legs and coos oooohs and ahhhhs. It is adorable and melts your heart. Of course, it is usually after she has touched a million no no’s, pulled the outlet covers out, turned off my computer, drooled on my phone, and pulled my clothes out of my drawers and thrown them all over the house. She is going through a stage of separation anxiety. Even people that she normally goes right too are causing her to grab on to us tight and cry. She too, loves the water.

I need to end this here. Nap time is almost over and as you know, I could go on and on all day about my children…can’t we all? Again, please keep praying. I hate that we have been so out of touch. We have been trying to save money and stay focused on the job search. We would love to hear updates from you too!

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-24T15:24:00.010-05:00

Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered. (NIV)

Happy Father's Day Wesley! You have worked so hard for us and you deserve more than an evening of rest. I hope that you enjoyed your evening of grilling and family time. I know Morgan loved it. She had a blast playing on the patio with the hose for the first time. She had us cracking us chasing poor Red around with the hose yelling, "DOG SIT!!!" She fully intended on bathing him, I just know it. (Don't forget to double click on the collage to get a better look)And just what did we eat to honor Father's Day you ask? We had steak, sauteed summer squash w/onion and mushrooms, grilled corn and lil' baked potatoes. YUMMY!!!

Desperate

2009-06-19T01:14:00.006-05:00

I try not to vent to often on here, not because things are always hunky dory for me, but because I think it is just horrible to complain all the time. Seriously. When I look at the big beautiful picture, how can I complain? God loves me, provides for and forgives me. My children are both happy, healthy and simply beautiful. I have a handsome, smart, hardworking husband that loves me unconditionally. No matter what we are going through right now, worried about finding jobs and how we will make ends meet, we know that we will make it together. This is temporary. There are people so much worse off all over the world. Sooooo...when I want to vent and cry and scream and yell about how unfair life is right now, it is hard for me to come here and do it like I desperately want to. Before my fingers can type the ugly, God reminds me about the beautiful. My intentions tonight were to use my blog as a healthy place to vent (so that I didn't take it out on Wes). Here I sit with this wonderful blank screen in front of me and all I can think about is the song that just suck in my head...Lord, I'm desperate for you.

This is the air I breathe
Your holly presence, living in me This is my daily bread Your very word, spoken to me And I........I'm desperate for you And I ........ I'm lost without you...
from "Breathe" by Michael W Smith

Just because they made me smile...

2009-06-15T01:39:00.007-05:00

This week Morgan sang, "My Momma," over and over while I rocked and sang her to sleep. It was so sweet it brought me to tears...

Faith

2009-06-14T18:18:00.002-05:00

I have said this many times lately but I feel like Mel Gibson in the movie Braveheart...You know the scene where he is tied to the table, they want him to bow to the king, and they are stretching him apart trying to get him to give in, but instead he screams, "Freedom!!!!!!!" That is what my faith feels like right now. I try not to vent to much or complain on here. I know that no matter what is going on in my life, I am incredibly blessed. I have to be honest and confess, my confidence is a little shaky. I know that God has a beautiful plan for my family and I hope he presents it to us soon. God knows our needs. This week in my Proverbs 31 Ministries:Daily Devotional, I read; "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1:6 (NIV)
God, Please help me to put my faith and trust in you all day every day. Thank you for the blessings that I know are coming our way. Amen.

Hello Summer...We missed you old friend!

2009-06-06T14:40:00.007-05:00

Summer is FINALLY here. I am so excited and motivated to begin a new season as a family. Hunter's first day of freedom was awesome! We met Wes on his lunch break at Trinity Park for a little picnic and swinging time. After we deposited Daddy back at the shop we headed to the Botanical Gardens for a walk. Just me and my children, soaking in the tidbits of sun peaking through the enormous trees above us. I enjoyed talking to Hunter while Morgan gazed at everything. Eventually we took her out to walk with her big brother and she was so amazed that she was wearing shoes! She stopped every three steps to bend over and look at them. Up until then, she always pulled them off as soon as I could get them fastened. We then ventured to Central Market and had so much fun tasting the fresh veggies and fruit. I heart Central Market! We ended our day at Mason's Birthday party. It was fun in the pool for Hunter and good time with our friends just hanging out. What a great life!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Morgan!!!

2009-06-01T01:08:00.015-05:00

Our beautiful lil' Princess turned one this week. It amazes me that we have shared our world with her for a whole year already. We all love her so much more than our hearts could imagine. Everyday my children amaze me in different ways. We are so blessed with the two of them.

Between Hunter's school events and baseball games, it has been a crazy couple of weeks leading up to her Birthday. We weren't even sure if we were going to be able to have a party as our schedule was so tight. At the very last minute we were able to pull a great party with wonderful friends and Grammy too! Friends came from near and far to celebrate with us. I made dips, Wesley grilled and the kids ran around playing and trying to act like the big boys. Morgan relished in the glow of all the attention and even put one a show for us when opening her presents. She loved her cake and had to have a bath after the mess she made with the icing. At some point during the party I looked down and Hunter was fallen asleep with her sitting on his back playing with new toys and kids crawling all over him. He is such a great big brother! I guess she does share...only with her Hunna!

I think she is thinking, "Seriously Mom! Pictures while I am eating...again?"

I am always telling myself to write things down as the kids do them so I don't forget when a milestone happens. I know I am forgetting to list a few things but this is a good start to a list of where she is at. Morgan started walking pretty well about a week before she turned one. She was cruising with her toys and the furniture for about four months before she went more than ten steps alone. She is saying, Dada, Momma, Bubba, Hunna (Hunter), Dog, Yes, No, That, Banana, Nana, Good, Love, and I am sure I am forgetting some. While she can wear 18 month clothes and is healthy looking, she can still wear 6-9 months clothes. She loves to splash and swim in the garden tub and even likes the shower. She is still nursing in the early morning and at bed time and sleeps throughout he night most nights. She will eat so many things that we eat but her favorites are cheese, bananas, bread, pasta, Nilla wafers, cheerios, green beans, apple sauce, flour tortillas, guacamole and beans. She has a HUGE appetite. I have never seen a baby eat as much as she does.

Still Given' it to God...

2009-05-19T21:59:00.011-05:00

Wes completed his job at the power plant in Colorado and has been home for a month, so it is no surprise that I have gotten behind on my blogging. I am totally fine with it though. The past month has been awesome having my Hubby home. It has also been emotional, restful, stressful, fun, and a whole lot more all rolled up into a big ball called family. Wes has been helping with everything here. He let me sleep in for weeks taking Hunter to school and tending to Morgan when she woke up. He has been trying so hard to make up for time lost with the kids. I am so proud of him. I know that some husbands don't do the domestic thing, but he is really trying. Both kids (and Mommy) have enjoyed him being here. Hunter loves having Wes here to attend and coach his baseball games and practice. I think he also likes to pawn some of his chores off on Wes. Morgan has been a little bundle of laughter and tears. All of us had to readjust a little to having him home when we are used to him being gone. It is a good adjustment! Now we are just praying and trying to give our worries to God while we wait for Wes to find a new job. I have more peace than normal and am trusting God that he will provide for us. He always has...

Hunter is doing so well in school. He has been able to pull off almost straight A's all year in his Pre-Ap classes. Only twice has he come home with a B on his report card. It amazes me that he is such a natural athlete and is still able to do so well in school while being so girl crazy! He is now taller than I am standing about 5'8 and 175 lbs. He is still between a 12 and 13 shoe. He looks like a giant next to his 12 year old friends. I am going to miss him so much this summer and am already dreading saying goodbye. Morgan already idolizes him and he just beams with pride when she calls him by name. She yells, "Hunna? Hunna? Hunna!!!" and he come running with the biggest smile on his face. I never imagined they could be so close with such a big gap in age. We are so blessed.

Morgan is still a mess. Our little Princess is a tad bit spoiled...I wonder why. I tell her no and I am firm, but she still wants her way and cries when she doesn't get what she wants or if we tell her no. She has also taken to hitting us when I won't let her nurse. She has four teeth and more on the way. Obviously, this is not comfortable for me. It is like having a little razor gnawing at me when she eats! She hasn't taken more than 2-6 steps at a time but is still walking (running) behind her push toys and stands without assistance all the time. I know she will do it in her own time. We have giggled so Hunter pushing Morgan in her wagon. She loves it and brings it to him begging for more! I have several meals waiting to be cooked and frozen so I have to run. Ciao!

Happy Birthday to Me...

2009-05-04T02:17:00.004-05:00

It is officially my Birthday! I love Birthdays, especially mine. I don't need a lot of presents or things, but I have to admit that I love when people make a fuss over Birthdays. Life is hard, it is worth celebrating when you make another year. Seriously, have you driven on I-35 lately? Everyday you live after that experience is a miracle! So now I am 33 years old and supposedly a little wiser. Here is what I have learned and a few things I love about my life....

First and foremost GOD IS GOOD!!! He has blessed us so much and always provides for us.

Family is forever...even on the days you think you want to wring their ever lovin' necks.

I love the way my husband walks out of the room and then back in to kiss me again. It always makes me smile no matter what I am doing. All men should do that for their wives.

I love the way that when I am sick Hunter will kiss me on the forehead and take care of me and that when he was younger he truly believed that his kiss healed my migraine...I think a few times it really did.

I love that Morgan is the perfect combination of both me and Wes. I love it when she says Mommy.

I hate telling my kids no and/or disciplining them, but I do it because I love them and want them to have a great life. Staying healthy, dealing with the word no, having self discipline, respect for others, and understanding consequence are some of the best tools I can offer them as a Mother.

A true friend never judges by what you have or how you look...they also never resent you for it. They laugh with you, cry with you, pray with you, make time for you no matter how busy there life is and are worth keeping.
There are a lot of people who just don't know how to be a friend. That isn't a reflection on me, it is on them. I hurt for those people.

Marry someone who you can talk to and that makes you laugh...most of us don't grow old gracefully.

Laughter truly is the best medicine.

Misery loves company.

Kiss you children and tell them that you love them and are proud of them everyday.

To Market, To Market, with Coupons in Tow...

2009-04-24T12:59:00.005-05:00

Everywhere I turn, from helpful friends, blogging, my MTM group, and my family, I am surrounded by news and info about coupons, money saving web sites, and sales. I know that I could really save my family some green if I were to pull myself together and really utilize the information and availability of these resources. Now let's just be honest and say that it is daunting just thinking about it and then overwhelming when you actually stop and decide to use them...where do you start? Surely I am not the only one feeling this way...Am I??? To make things easier for myself, I sat down and compiled a list of all of the sites I use or have been referred to. They are great tools. One may work better for you than it does for me and vise versa. This is just a beginning as there are so many ways to save money. I personally love that Coupon Mom is free! I hope that this helps to get you started, just click on the name and it will take you to the fabulous links!

Happy 2nd Anniversary Wesley

2009-04-21T23:07:00.001-05:00

Happy Anniversary Wesley. I love you more than you will ever know. Two years down, a lifetime to go. I look forward to the adventure with you. I am so glad you were here for at least a little while to celebrate with me. Thank you for my beautiful roses and delicious lunch. They were perfect!

XOXOXOXO,
Love Always and Forever,
Heather

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

2009-04-17T13:09:00.008-05:00

Everyday this week while I watered my plants, I wished it would rain. I have always loved rainy days. A good rain can wash away a lot of things and makes the world look clean and new again. Thank you Lord for the rain. We needed it so badly. My heart breaks for other the families that lose sleep at night afraid that a drought induced fire will burn their homes and ranches. I feel more at peace today knowing my parents can rest a little tonight not having to worry about the dry conditions. I am going to enjoy this wet weekend resting with my family and praying for Wes to hurry home safe and sound. Maybe I see just how many songs about rain I can find for us to listen to...
Morgan and I had a great time playing on the porch while it stormed this morning. This was her first puddle to play in. Correction...this was the first puddle she didn't create to play in. She ended up really dirty and wet but it was so worth it watching her try to catch the rain drops with out stepping on the grass...that is still uncharted territory...for now anyway.

Block Frames and Picture Holders

2009-04-14T23:25:00.005-05:00

I have been trying to spend a little more "me" time doing things I love again. As we all know, I love to make things and would love, love, love to have a cute little whimsical shop one day full of random photos, my own studio, a little cafe and all the most adorable things! Until then, you can shop till ya drop here on my blog. Last summer I promised to start making these and held off for one reason or another. I was recently re-inspired by the VERY last minute need to help a friend with a baby shower gift. Needless to say, the Mommy to be was thrilled with her custom made gifts. I have been working late like a lil' elf each night since. I am taking custom orders and hope to have a full line up and moving soon.

Happy Easter...take two

2009-04-12T23:02:00.008-05:00

I had this really long blog typed up and somehow lost it all. It talked about how much I miss Wes, especially on holidays. It talked about how Hunter thought he was too big for an egg hunt...and how his eyes still lit up when he was searching for his eggs. I even talked about Morgan not being quite big enough to join the hunt and our visit with Grammy. Of everything I typed and lost, the most important was the part about how God gave his only son, allowed him to die on the cross to save us, so that we may be forgiven and know Him...and how glad I am to know Him.
Hunter called me in his room this afternoon to listen to a few songs I had downloaded to his iPod. It was Meredith Andrews 'Your not Alone' and 'Draw me Nearer'. Both are beautiful songs, but what surprised me was Hunter how the words seemed to touch his heart. He was almost in tears. We talked about how he felt about the songs and then prayed together on our knees with Morgan crawling all over us. We prayed for forgiveness, for peace, for better attitudes, direction, and thanked God for our new beginnings. I love him so much!
Random and weird but my other post showed up somewhere else and I was able to cut and paste it here....I have a hard time dealing with holidays and special days when Wes isn't here to share them with us. I pray that this is the last year we have to spend a holiday apart. I also pray that he knows how much he was missed today and how much we appreciate him. I was so happy to have Hunter here for Easter this year. It seems he is always in Houston during this weekend spending time with his family there. He said he didn't need eggs and a basket this year...you should have seen his eyes light up when he was searching for eggs in the living room and going through his basket to look at the goodies. Morgan isn't quite old enough to share in the hunt so we just laid her basket out in front of her to play with the plastic eggs. We had lunch and then headed out to Momma's to visit for a bit. The best part of my whole day was praying with Hunter after he stumbled on a song I had downloaded to his play list. The words apparently touched his heart. He is such a beautiful son. I love him so much that I can't even imagine the anguish God must have felt when his son chose to die for our sins. I don't think I could have done it, not even to save the whole world. His blood and life for our forgiveness means even more to me now that I have children. Thank you God for allowing your beautiful son to sacrifice his life for us so that we may know you and be forgiven. I am so very far from the mother, wife, friend, and witness I need to be. Please help me to get there. I know that without you...I can't get there from here.

Happy Birthday Baby!!!!

2009-04-05T22:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Wesley!
I am just so glad for the day you were born. I am so blessed to be your wife and have you in my life as my very best friend and so much more. Sometimes I wonder if we would have turned left somewhere when we turned right, would we have found each other sooner. It seems that God had been trying to help us find each other for a long time. I love you and I am so blessed by your big heart and soft eyes. I am so blessed that you are such a loving Daddy. I am so blessed that you love me so wonderfully. Again, Happy Birthday Baby...You rock!

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY!!!

Well butter my bun's & call me a biscuit...

2009-04-05T12:37:00.002-05:00

I was very blessed with a girls weekend in Canyon Lake! My wonderful SIL, Amy, mentioned that she and her Momma were going to the Round Top Antique weekend and I asked if I could go with them. There is no feeling quite like inviting yourself to tag along on someone else's weekend away but I couldn't help myself...I needed to get away. Plus, I love Round Top and had gotten some pretty cool antiques there ages ago when we lived in neighboring Burton, TX. Plus, plus, it was free since Amy's boss loaned her the use of her time share and they happened to have an extra room. So I packed up the kids, dropped Hunter off at my brother's, and Morgan and I hit the road. Hunter was excited to spend time with the boys....I was excited to get away from boys. With only a few rounds of 'You are my Sunshine', Morgan was a content passenger in the truck. After zooming along for a handful of hours we happily arrived with notes of "Take me down to the River, Comal County Blues, and Southbound 35" still lingering in my head. It was pretty late Friday and were welcomed by the girls into our suite...IT WAS GREAT! We were in a"Presidential Suite" which was pretty cool. This place had two full kitchens, two full baths (one with a jacuzzi tub & laundry room), a living room, two king bedrooms, and a great view from the patio. Thinking back, I think my favorite thing was that I didn't have to clean, find, or organize anything there and we watched HGTV the whole time!!!!
Saturday morning we woke and had a fresh fruit breakfast together and then headed out for an adventure. We decided Round Top was too far and taking it easy seemed really appealing. None of us were in a hurry or had a preplanned agenda. We just headed out and decided on Historic Gruene, Texas. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! We shopped the antique stores and such, had wonderful food, walked and walked, and had great conversations. Later in the day we sat and swung in a storefront porch swing and chatted while I nursed Morgan. I didn't even know how much needed this time surrounded by women who are so loving and supportive and just fun in general. Thank you so much Amy. I pray this is the beginning of a wonderful tradition.

Clearing the air....

2009-04-02T21:40:00.001-05:00

Wes and I both quit smoking two years ago today (at 4pm on the way to the airport to be exact!). I don't recall Wes ever struggling with it & I don't allow myself to voice it often, but it is still one of the hardest things I have ever done. I smoked exactly a pack a day for twelve years almost to the minute starting with my drive to work as soon as I dropped Hunter off at school. I haven't touched a cigarette at all since that day. It was a horrible time to quit too...three weeks before my wedding! What was I thinking? I need to get on my knees and thank God that Wes still wanted to marry me after three weeks without a cigarette. For those of you who smoke or have quit, I understand. For those of you who have never been addicted to those evil things, I hope you never go through something that hard. Never ever judge or criticize...it only makes a smoker go for another cigarette when ya do. Wes's Momma was wonderful about it. She didn't want me to smoke, but being an ex-smoker herself, she understood and was kind about it. Now here I am two years later and I don't want to even be near someone smoking. I guess I am afraid I may want one...and then there is the horrible smell. Ironically, being around smoke gives me a headache now. The weight gain alone is enough to make a gal start back up. However, I figure I can lose the weight a heck of a lot easier than I can replace a lung. There are times I completely come unwound and can't figure what is wrong and realize, ahhhhh this is when I would have stepped out for cigarette....what do I do now? I loved my little breaks. I would dead head the flowers on the porch, sweep the drive way, water the lawn, talk on the phone and watch the sun set from my porch all while smoking away. With that said, when I am cranky and you are thinking Geeeezzzzzz! please know that I did this for you & your Daddy, because I love you more than words can express. I have had to watch my Dad's struggle with related health issues and don't want to put my family through the hurt of watching me go through the same thing. I want to be healthy as long as possible so that I can run around and play with you, your children, and maybe even my great-grandchildren. You are worth you. I am worth it. I love you!Speaking of airing it out....here are a few shots of Morgan airing her business on the way to the tub after turning cookie monster. Her bum was a little red so we were letting her get some fresh air and she loves it! Yes, she is actually drinking her bath water. It is her new thing. She will fill up the colander (she thinks it is a bowl) and bend over and drink right out of the tub. As usual, she is a HOT MESS!
Here is Hunter showing off his guns after he fixed the busted kitchen pipe that I couldn't get to budge. He was so determined and patient with it. There are so many times I want to wring his ever lovin' teenage neck and then he turns around and amazes me. Hunter, you were definitely my hero today! Thank you for a job very well done. YOU ROCK!!!!

I Believe....

2009-03-29T21:46:00.004-05:00

A Birth Certificate shows we were born
A Death Certificate shows we died
Pictures show we lived!
Have a seat...Relax. ..And read this slowly.
I Believe... Just because two people argue, Doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, Doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe... We don't have to change friends if We understand friends change.

I Believe... No matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe.... True friendship continues to grow, even over The longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
You can do something in an instant
That will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
It's taking me a long time
To become the person I want to be.
I Believe... You should always leave loved ones with Loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
You can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe.... We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
Either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
Heroes are the people who do what has to be done
When it needs to be done, regardless of consequences.

I Believe... Money is a lousy way of keeping score..

I Believe...
My best friend and I can do anything or nothing,
And have the best time.

I Believe...
Sometimes the people you expect to kick you
When you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe... Sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry, But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had, and what
you've e learned from them, and less to do
With how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe... It isn't always enough to be forgiven by others; Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
No matter how bad your heart is broken,
The world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe....
Our background and circumstances may have
influenced who we are,
But we are responsible for whom we become.

I Believe...
You shouldn't be e so eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life forever.
I Believe.... Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
Your life can be changed in a matter of hours
by people who don't even know you.

I Believe... Even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you-- you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
Credentials on the wall
do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
The people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; They just make the most of anything.

I received this in an e-mail from my Sister in Law, Amy whom I love to pieces! I was thinking about what I believe and realized how easy it is to take those two steps backwards that make life hard, that not forgiving hardens the shells of even the kindest of people,

Let's Play Ball!!!

2009-03-23T21:37:00.002-05:00

Hunter's baseball season is now in full swing. We are finally blessed with great coaches and Hunter is loving the sport again. We all know that football is his passion, but it is nice to see him have fun playing ball with out a helmet covering his whole face. As a Mother, there is no greater reward than watching your child play and love what they are doing. I don't think that Hunter realizes just how proud of him we are. Hunter's grades are awesome, his attitude has improved leaps and bounds, he is a great helper at home, and his prayers are becoming more sincere and less routine. I am sure very soon he will sigh at me and roll his eyes when I ask him to mow the lawn, but until them I am going to relish in this moment and pray there are more to come.

As soon as we returned from Spring Break we had a baseball game and played against two of Hunter's closest friends. It was a good game and Hunter really seemed to have fun. He didn't even take it personally when his buddy tagged him out at first. It is a little harder to watch every play with Morgan there. As usual, she is a mess and wants every ones attention. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have friends I could pass her too every now and then.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

2009-03-22T22:18:00.000-05:00

Well we all made it back safe and sound from our Spring Break vacations. Morgan did great on the plane coming home and made everyone around us laugh at her "knee surfing". When there was strong crosswinds or turbulence, she would stand on my knees with her arms out like a surfer bouncing all over the place while laughing and squealing with this look that said, "what a great ride Mommy!"

I think I miss Wes more now than I did before I got there to see him. It was so wonderful watching him play with Morgan and seeing her just light up when he smiled at her. It is hard watching the man you love be so tired from working so hard to give you security. It was so easy for me to selfishly get my feelings hurt when he fell asleep before the movie was over or when he promised to play cards with me. I read my devotional and realized I needed to change my attitude. God would not be pleased at how I was behaving towards my husband and realized that all it would take was some venting and a few ugly critical words to blow everything I hold so dear out of reach. Wesley, I am so amazed by you. Yes, like all marriages, there are times you frustrate or irritate me, but you are wonderful man and I am so honored to be your wife and the mother of your children. If I haven't told you enough, thank you and I fall in love with you more every day.

Being on a budget, I just stayed in the 28 foot toaster oven, I mean RV most of the time in Colorado with the exception of our daily walk at the pond and going to Wes's softball practice and game. Who'd a thought it (yes I said it that way) that a RV could be so DANGEROUS for a toddling baby. Morgan was bent on scaring me to death. She snuck up to the bed to hide from me while she ate a cookie and then "threw" herself down the stairs (all 3 of them) backwards hitting the back of her head and face. I was only a few feet from her but I stepped in her car seat and tripped and fell onto the floor right on top of her screaming the whole way down. I should have just yelled "TIMBER"! Of course it all happened in slow motion to me and all I could think about was the actress who just hit her head and died skiing and OMG my baby just hit her head, with a mouth full of cookie none the less!!! THEN she stood up on the couch (I had it folded out into a bed) and took a nose dive, on purpose, landing flat on her face... I saw her do it...from the bathroom, while I was being sick if you know what I mean. THEN she crawled over the wall and would have flopped all the way over...but I did catch her that time. Needless to say I cried a lot, checked her over and over for bumps, dents, bruises, changes, broken bones, wouldn't let her nap for fear of a concussion, and told myself I was a horrible mother for not holding her safely in my arms the entire time I was there. THEN she tried to attack Wes and jumped on him while he was laying face down on the bed...(apparently he is bouncy...I never noticed before) the first time she landed on her head, feet sticking up in the air out of the laundry basket he panicked and I yelled at him...the second time she landed safely on her back in the laundry basket...AND LAUGHED!!!! Hunter was not like this. He was cautious and examined EVERYTHING before acting. Morgan is a DAREDEVIL! I am doomed to a life of grimacing when I hear "hey Ma, watch this, no hands"! I know I was a good kid growing up so I blame this on Wes. I am suffering because he is getting paid back for being such a rotten child I just know it! What luck! I am so glad to be home...with flat, level floors.

An adventure at the Pueblo Zoo

2009-03-21T23:06:00.009-05:00

Morgan was obviously needing a change of scenery today so I decided instead of walking at the pond we would take a last minute trip to the Pueblo Zoo in Pueblo's City Park.

We got there an hour before they closed were able to get in and out in exactly that amount of time. Morgan only being nine months old still has a very short attention span so we didn't have to look at the animals for too long. Boy was I happy about that because the zoo had a VERY strong urine odor...everywhere. I had heard that the Ft. Worth Zoo was one of the best, but I had taken it for granted until this moment. Morgan clearly liked the birds and ducks the most.

The Cockatoo was her favorite. She had just learning to nod her head yes with Daddy and now here was a bird, nodding it's head up and down at her as if it were saying yes. So here we were with the two of them (Morgan and the bird) nodding at each other and her laughing and looking at me as if to say, "look Mommy, he knows it too!" She also liked the North American River Otter and how it swam right up to her in the glass window.

You may now unfasten you seatbelts...

2009-03-18T08:20:00.015-05:00

Morgan and I made it safe and sound to Colorado! We were both so happy to see Wes and good golly was he a handsome sight for sore eyes. The only thing that would make this better would be Hunter coming with us. I am sure he will have a great time in Florida though.

I am so grateful to Celeste and her kids for taking us all to the airport and making our adventure so much more fun! I am so blessed to have a worry free week knowing our friends are taking care of our home and pets. Thank you to Deidra and her family too!

Morgan did better than I expected on the flight here. There were lots of screaming babies but she wasn't one of them. She was too entertained my flipping the lap tray up and down and laughing at the little girl sitting behind us. I packed WAY to heavy and was the annoying person boarding the plane bumping everyone along the way with my bags saying, "oops sorry, I am so sorry, oh excuse me" How embarrassing!!! Maybe I should mail some of my stuff home or just pay to check more bags??? I just think that $15 for the 1st bag and $25 for each following is skyway robbery!

Pueblo West isn't much different in the spring as the summer. Cool nights, lots of wind, and warm days. At least it isn't as hot as it was during the summer. It reached 104 during our visit and made living in the RV a lot like living in a toaster oven. The mountain views around us are still beautiful. You can see snow on the far off peaks.

We enjoyed being lazy with Wes on Sunday. It was his only day off while we are here visiting so no sight seeing for us this trip. Monday we went for a walk in the park to wait for him to get off work and meet us at softball practice...you would think that I could get away from ball practice and game schedules just for a week during vacation....no such luck with my family. I have added a lap to our walk each day. Today my walk will be two full miles. The pond is still full of life and entertains us while we walk. Morgan sits up and watches all the geese and ducks chase each other across the water.

Being here and being able to watch Morgan and Wes interact and play has been so good for me. He taught her to nod her head "yes" last night. He thinks it is so funny when she doesn't want me to do something and tell me "no, no, no, no mamamama!" Hilarious I tell you. At meal times we have notices that she first picks up or pinches off a piece of her food and hold it in her left hand while she shovels the rest in her mouth with her right hand....like she is saving it for later.

The pictures are of the pond we walk at, the RV and area we stay in, and of Wes and Morgan playing. She sure is a Daddy's Girl! I have more but have to go clean up before she wakes from her nap. Hunter if you are reading this I miss you terribly and hope you are having a blast!

Splish splash she was taking a bath...

2009-03-05T00:52:00.006-06:00

What a hot mess our baby girl is! Bath time has always been fun for her but she is taking it to a whole new level these days. Since she is such an independent and messy eater she has to have bath as soon as she is done with dinner. She loves it! She hates wearing clothes and diapers and wants to "air out" as long as I will let her. Once in the tub, she shrieks and shrills, claps, laughs and splashes all over the place. She loves to stand and then plop back down in the water on her bottom. We were able to get her last splash session, I mean bath, on video but I don't have enough memory on my computer to load it for you. Here she is on her way to the tub and of course playing with her rubber ducky and hippo.

She also said Hunter, well "Hunna", twice this morning. He was so touched he was literally speechless. Love my babies!

Trigger Happy Momma....

2009-03-02T13:07:00.007-06:00

I was obviously trigger happy this week and have tons of pictures of the kids to prove it!
This week was ridiculously busy. On Saturday alone, we had baseball practice, a basketball game (Our team came in 1st place for the season!), our football banquet, and the team went to the TCU basketball game together. It was a lot of running around and changing clothes but it was fun and Hunter seemed to have a blast. Hunter spent the night with a group of buddies from his basketball team Saturday night and hung out at one of his coaches homes riding four wheelers on Sunday. I cooked Lasagna for everyone that night. It was nice having Hunter home. I really miss him when he is gone.
Morgan is a mess as usual. Who would have thought that a pint sized lil' girl could poop so much!!! She is still holding on to her toys and the couch and "walking" and is super crazy fast on all fours. You have to be so careful not to drop anything small on the floor because she will race you too it and put it in her mouth. Then the fun fishing trip begins trying to wiggle it out of her cute chubby cheeks. She was funny at the TCU game. She would clap on cue when the band played and stop when the music stopped. Sometimes it looked like a funny clip from AFHV. We walked a mile on Tuesday and hiked the trails at a local park with our playgroup on Tuesday and Wednesday. It felt great and Morgan enjoyed being out in the nice weather!

I have lots of pictures this week.

Sweet Nibblits!!! Has it been two weeks already?

2009-02-24T14:32:00.012-06:00

As usual, I have a million and one things to catch up on. I think I had more free time when I was a single Momma working full time! HA! Just kidding. I am so thankful to be home with my children now but I miss Wesley so much. He was able to come home for Valentine's Day weekend and spend time with us. It was a little frustrating getting him here. That week a flight had gone down and killed everyone on board in New York. That scared me a little. Wes and Hunter both fly pretty regularly. This visit, his flight was delayed for four and a half hours because of fog. It caused us to miss Hunter at baseball practice but better safe than sorry. I was happy to see his smiling face. We were able to make most of Hunter's basketball game and he played really well. There is no better feeling than having all of my family at home. I slept better than I have in months being there in the crook of his arm all safe and sound. As you can tell from the pictures, Morgan enjoyed playing with Daddy too. We all had a great Valentine's weekend. Dinner with friends, sports, just goofing off, seeing some family, and best of all just hanging out together. I wish I had taken a picture of my beautiful tulips with my regular camera so that I could post them on here.

More random updates, this Saturday 2/21, I noticed little tiny white spots on Morgan's red gums! She has just a little of her bottom teeth coming through. It seems that they are going up and down. The one on the bottom right has been here to stay since Monday morning. He is happy for me to rub Ora gel on her little swollen gums. She is a speedy little girl on all fours and loves to play frogger with Hunter. She waits in the hall for him to come walking through and then scrambles across in front of him as fast as she can squealing the whole way. The two of them have a bond that is so beautiful. Hunter is doing great in school. He has been working hard and brought his B in Pre-Ap math back up to an A. We are really proud of him for the effort he is putting into his school work. This week is busy for him. He has been practicing for both baseball and basketball, has his last basketball game, football banquet, TCU basketball game with his team, and hopefully we will be able to go to church too on Sunday. He keeps me hopping, but watching him grow as a young man is worth it. I need to find a youth group he feels comfortable in. One that moves him and touches his heart. I am watching him and see the struggles he has growing into a young man. Trying to find his own self and his own passions and dreams, trying to balance those ideas with God, school, friends, sports, girls, parents, chores, and all the random questions that run through his head. I know it is my job as a Mother to guide him. I also know that it is that same maternal love that knows I have to step back and pray that I have properly equipped him as we know that he also has to find some things and learn some lessons I on his own.

Lord, Please be with my son. Help him to see and feel you with his own heart. Let him know your unconditional love and have the desire to follow you Lord...even when his parents aren't watching. Help my family to find security and physical roots in a place we can all be together while Wes is supporting us. You have never let me down, help me not to worry. I know you have this. I love you Lord. Help me to honor you in my words and actions as a Mother, Wife, Daughter, and Friend...Amen.

Icky Bugs and Babies

2009-02-11T15:44:00.002-06:00

Well, I am sick. I am not a good sick person. I thought I just had a sore throat from draining sinuses and ear infection but the doctor (I don't like him at all) said it is the flu. What a jerk telling me I have the flu and it has to run its course! Doesn't he know how much I have to do this week!??? I don't feel like I have the flu. I haven't had a fever but I did get the chills before I dozed off yesterday evening, I can't swallow and am generally achy. This stinks. Wes will be home on Saturday and I don't want to share my icky bugs with him so I have to be better by then. Lord, Please heal me quickly so that I can enjoy my weekend with Wes. I have missed him so and can't wait to see him. Six weeks is just way to long to go without a hug from my husband.

We had a great weekend. Hunter stayed with a friend Friday and then they won their basketball game Saturday. After baseball tryouts he had four of his buddies over on Saturday. They were hilarious! I am both pleased and disgusted that they felt comfortable enough to be themselves in front of me...Now if I could just get him to sit still a minute I could get some new pictures of him too.

Morgan changes everyday and is so funny. She claps and cheers for everything. At Hunter's game she was clapping for the other team! Her favorite thing last week was for me to tell her to say Momma, she shakes her head no and says Dada! Now she is saying Momma and Bubba again. She took a break from anything other than Dada for a few weeks. On Friday she took a few steps behind a push toy and took at least four steps on Saturday. She doesn't like to fall down and stands in a squatted position for a long while contemplating her next move...it cracks me up.

As for me, I am still watching and logging what I eat and have actually lost weight! I am thrilled!!! I haven't walkws as much as I want but I am going to get there. I have been doing the pantry workout...cleaning it out and using the cans as weights. I love it and can barely move my arms when I am done.

"Sloppy" Seconds

2009-02-03T00:07:00.006-06:00

Something I make quite often is Slop. Like most of my favorite recipes, there are a variety of ways to prepare it. He is the most basic and our favorite.

Heather's Slop
1/2 bag med egg noodles
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can tomato soup
1 can cheddar cheese or 4-6 slices American cheese slices (lunch cheese)
1 lb or so hamburger meat
salt, pepper and Lowery's to taste

Brown & season hamburger meat in large skillet, drain fat
Boil noodles until tender and drain
After meat is browned through add soups and cheese and stir together
When noodles are done and drained add to meat/soup mixture in skillet and stir/heat all together
Serve with bread and veggies YUM! I eat this for a few days in a row!

Monday Mush...

2009-02-02T14:24:00.011-06:00

I am really tired. I have been staying up until 4 am for more than 7 days in a row and it is getting the best of me. I really want to feel rested and energetic so that I can get more done at home and actually get some real exercise. Not that my Cabin Fever Exercising wasn't real. I truly enjoyed cleaning out my pantry and using the cans as weights...even better was the look on Hunter's face when he saw me. I was able to get more done than I thought I would last week and that always makes me feel better.

James bought Mom tickets to take us girls and our kids to the Stockshow and Rodeo on Friday. It was really nice relaxing and just spending time with family. It was Morgans first rodeo! She wasn't phased at all by all the noise and such. My nieces and nephew were adorable as always and it was great getting the kids together for an afternoon.

So last night we went to a friends to watch the Super Bowl. I am not sure which part was more fun, cooking in the kitchen with Hunter before the party or just hanging out in the kitchen with the girls. I think I needed some grown up time! Hunter seemed to need the guy time too. I am disappointed in myself because I ate horribly (I think a whole bowl of dip on my own!!!) and I let my sailor mouth back out. I am not sure when this week it escaped my lips again, but that filthy sailor girl needs to be captured and silenced again. She is not the Mother or woman that I want to be. I know that I can have a blast, be funny, and hang with my friends with out it. I don't think it bothers anyone else, but it bothers me, and I beat myself up over it. Lord, please forgive me and help me to forgive myself. Help me to be a better example for my children.

Momma gave us four dozen farm fresh eggs from her home so Hunter made his first batch of deviled eggs. They were really good. I don't like eggs but I did taste a little for him to be sure others would like it. I was really proud of him. He also helped make a Ham and Pineapple Dip and the Pineapple Upside Down Cakes. He loved the cake so much he said we should make one every week. Just what i need no my diet! I love him working and learning in the kitchen with me. Morgan wasn't much help as she woke an hour early from her nap and made the kitchen a little busier than we would have liked while playing "Chef" with her big brother.

Wonderful Wednesday...

2009-01-28T23:29:00.008-06:00

It was a "snow" day today and the school was closed so we were all able to sleep in and have a wonderfully lazy day. It was a good thing since I was up until after 4:00 a.m. going through old pictures, cards and letters. I am such a pack rat. Some of them brought back memories, some made me laugh. I giggled at Hunter's hand drawn birthday cards to me...he put soooo many candles on my cake. He must have thought I was really old. I actually still have cards and the invitation from Hunter's first Birthday. So on his day off Hunter played with his sister a bit and then had a friend over for most of the day. The two of them were even able to play outside once it warmed up in the afternoon. Morgan has been a hoot lately. She is all about her big brother. She actually threw a fit and put her head down on the rug the cry when he left for basketball practice Monday! I was amused as that was a first. She has been really "crawling" with her arms up off the floor vs the army style body frag she used to pull off. She is much faster now. She is also pulling herself up and standing while holding on with just one hand. Next thong you know she is going to give me the "look ma no hands!" squeal and life as I know it will be over. Her little legs have rolls on top of rolls and are so cute. We learned that she is too big and too mobile to take baths in the kitchen sink anymore. I can no longer safely contain her. I am trying to teach her to relax and float in the tub. She is doing pretty good as long as I am in there with her or the water is shallow enough that her backside is on the tub floor. She also said Momma a lot this week which was music to my heart!!!

Yummy for My Tummy Tuesday!

2009-01-27T22:55:00.003-06:00

Heather's Meat Loaf Supreme
By Heather Scott
Description:
I use drained diced tomatoes instead of sauce. I also add a cup or so of Italian bread crumbs.
Ingredients:
2 lbs. hamburger
1 lb. sausage
1 (6 1/4 oz.) box Stove Top stuffing mix
2 (4 oz.) cans tomato sauce (I used I 16 oz can diced and drained)
3 eggs
1/4 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. chopped green pepper
salt, pepper, & Lowery's to taste

Directions:
Combine dry stuffing mix and contents of seasoning packet
with hamburger, sausage, eggs, tomato sauce, celery, onion
and green pepper. Place in 9"x13" baking pan or divide into
2 or 3 loaves. (Part of recipe can be wrapped and frozen for
later cooking.) Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour and 15
minutes or until done. I take mine out about 20 minutes early and spread a mixture of ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar (all stirred together) on top and replace in oven to set.

Meatloaf is another favorite of mine and especially of Wes and Hunter. I make it a little different each time. Sometimes I use yellow onion but normally purple. I use red, yellow, orange, and/or green bell pepper, sometimes a little green onion. Whatever sounds good at the moment. It is always good and just taste like home. Mixing the ooey gooey mix takes me back tot he days of mud pies and dragon flies. I usually make a huge batch and freeze a few for later or for friends and neighbors. I use the disposable loaf pans, fill, cover with foil, and stick it in a ziplock freezer bag. I try to always mark the date so that it doesn't get lost in the deep freezer for too long.

Crab & Shrimp Quiche

2009-01-27T19:08:00.007-06:00

I needed ways to add more protein iron and veggies so this was my inventive Monday night dinner. I also made homemade broccoli cheese soup. I don't normally care for eggs but I love quiche. You can add anything to it and it is still delicious! Next week I will make one with diced ham & spinach and who knows what.

Crab & Shrimp Quiche

1 Pillsbury pie crust
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup mayo
1 package of crab flakes and shrimp
1/2 cup mayo
2 cups fresh chopped broccoli & carrots (I threw mine into food processor for just a sec to save time and hide the carrots from Hunter)
chopped onion to taste
salt and pepper to taste
1-1/2 to 2 cups shredded cheese (Swiss would have been better but I used cheddar blend)

Preheat oven to 400

Press pie crust into pie plate

Beat milk, egg, and mayo until well blended, stir in meat, cheese, and veggies. Mix well.
Pour into pie crust and bake 30-40 min until knife comes out clean...Yummy!

Did you know there are hundreds of ways to make quiche? Any other favorites out there?

Just a swingin'

2009-01-26T02:35:00.005-06:00

We bought Morgan her first swing and I hung it this week. We were finally blessed with some beautiful spring like Texas days and we took advantage of playing outside while we could. She LOVES to swing but I have to push her from the front so that she can see me at all times. It was great to see her so happy in her swing!

Hunter is also happy with his new toy. His quesadilla maker! He loves it and would eat them everyday if I let him. I had to make a once a week rule.

To blog or not to blog...

2009-01-22T23:48:00.008-06:00

Hmmmm. Should I write or go to bed and rest. I need both! Oh how I long for the days when Morgan took two hour naps, when I could sit here and IM my friends and blog about my random thoughts, prayers and ideas. Morgan is a blast but she can be quite demanding of my time. Did I say quite? Let me rephrase that EXTREMELY demanding. I had to stop and remind myself just this week that she is only a baby once. When the day of drooling, gassy teething fits seems like it will never end, I need to remember that it goes by way to fast. I had a rough beginning to my week. My sweet baby girl was being anything but sweet. I am guilty of letting the everyday worries weigh me down more than need be. This week I made that dreaded choice to look at the big picture and what a mess it seemed. My reaction was much like Morgans in the above picture. This is not cool for a gal like me that likes to have order in all things home and family. I love to be spontaneous and go on adventures...outside of my home. Home, where the four of us come together to live, this is my safe haven, my nest, that place we all come and know that we are blessed and loved. Wes's job will be ending soon and we have no idea where he will work next. I don't just mean, what company, I mean what state will he move to! For us at home this is hard, and even though he doesn't say it, for Wes I think it is harder. Like most we worry about income, bills, insurance, health, family...all the normal things that families all over America stress over. Add to that not knowing if he can find work that pays well enough in Texas, we need to be together as a family, should we move to where Wes is (???) in order to be together, how long will that job last, Hunter needing a good school and sports program, Morgan needing to know her Grandparents, my Dad's health, the ex, leaving our friends and family, our home being totally unorganized, feeling under appreciated, hormones, everyone trying to put their two cents in, trying to loose weight, the guilt of the cookies I baked and then ate, feeling cooped up because it was cold outside, missing Wes like crazy....well you can only imagine that well, I WAS A HOT MESS!!! I got a little blue, vented like crazy, and then was totally blessed with a man that loved me right through my "moment", a baby that has been all smiles for the past few days, a son that knows just when I really need a hug, those that walk with me and build me up, and great friends that really do pray for us and believe in us as a family and the one who reminded me to sing and praise God. Audrey, you have no idea how much you enrich my life by being so positive and reminding me to always look to God's word. Sharing so many verses that change my heart as I read them. Thank you so much my dear friend! Thank you most of all for reminding me to miss Wes without putting any additional burden on him. I needed to hear that.

Why do I write about my life?

2009-01-16T10:36:00.011-06:00

I have read two quotes in the past few days that gave me great pause.

The first was from another blog.

"We write to taste life twice, once in the moment, once in retrospection."
Anais Nin

The second from one of the women who write my devotional.

Writing can be a creative and invigorating way to make our lives available to ourselves...we may discover that the better we tell our stories, the better we will want to live them."

~Henri Nouwen

These were both great inspiration for me and ring so true for my life. I am seeing that the more I write about being a better wife and mother the easier it is to live my life that way. Even bigger than that, the more I write my prayers and talk about my relationship to God, the closer I feel to Him. So that is why I write. When my children are grown and I am gone, I want them to be able to read the story of their childhood. I want them to read my journey through life and see what changed me, what moved me, what people and events taught me to be the Mother I was. Hopefully it will aid them in there own relationships and walk with God.I was chatting with a childhood friend the other day and was invited to have drinks as a group. When I declined the comment was something like, "You deserve a life of your own." While I was actually a little offended, I politely responded that "this is my life, the life I love." The way I see it, serving my husband and children honors my relationship with God. Wes would have no problem with me going out for a drink with old friends. But while he is out there working so hard for us, I want to be here working equally hard at home for him. I love him and want to honor him in all of my decisions.

Updates on the kiddos. Morgan, oh Morgan! What a mess you are with your little bangs always in your eyes. You get into everything and when I tell you no, you look at me and either smile as if to say I know I am not supposed to but aren't I cute or you grunt and growl at me like a gorilla and then cry...very loudly. Couldn't we find some happy medium here? The good news is that your sleeping longer at night again and we seem to be on a little better schedule together.

Hunter has been studying all week to retake a test he didn't do so well on. I know that my choice to have him take all four pre-ap classes on him seemed a little unfair at the time but he is doing well in all of the clases except math. He needs help but refuses to ask for it. I feel like he is retaining enough to get through it but not fully understanding it. I think people assume that just because he is in Pre-Ap he "knows it all." He fakes it well. I try not to put to much pressure on him to explain it to me. I just ask questions when he is excited about a subject.

Wes's job will be wrapping up in Colorado late February or early March. He is so tired from working so hard but is hanging in there. He has no idea where he is going to work next but I have faith in him that he will make good decisions for us as a family. We have been praying about it for a long time. We ask God to let us know what direction he wants our family to move. Where can we grow together and serve Him? It is exciting and scary all in one big ball of mystery. I don't do well with mystery or surprises. I need secure plans. This is the area I struggle with the most in my relationship as a Christian. Wes, he is so much better at giving it to God and actually taking his hands off of it. I am so proud of him.As for lil ol me. This week has been great. I walked twice with my friends in my Mom's group. It was easier on Monday and by Wednesday I was SERIOUSLY feeling the burn. I have been much more conscious about what I eat and tried to shop that way when I bought groceries. I was also able to attend a Bow Making play date on Tuesday. It was a blast and I was able to make some adorable little bows for Morgan.

All My Heart...

2009-01-09T00:31:00.007-06:00

11 For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART. 14 I will be found by you. Jeremiah 29:11-14

This are some of my very favorite verses in the Bible. I have pointed out to Wes several times in the past that I think I am failing in the area where He says "with all of your heart." So many can quote verses 11-12 easily but stop there. Why is that? Do we just want to hear that He is listening and nothing else matters? I want to seek God with all my heart. So many excuses, words, memories, and thoughtless actions/reactions jump in there and get in the way for me. I am not perfect. If I we were Jesus would not have had to die for our sins. However, I truly want to honor God and seek him with all my heart. I am going to continue to pray about this. I am going to spend more quiet time talking to God and less watching TV. I am going to guard my words and actions. My children are watching and there are so many little things I regret doing. It is my job to teach them to love God. How can I tell them to love God when my actions are not Godly?
Lord, please help me to be a better example for my children and all those that I meet. Please let your forgiveness and love shine through me with out a spoken word needed. Help me to find supportive, uplifting, positive, like minded friends. Help me to make a positive difference in the lives of those I love and those who may not yet know you. I know your tugging at my heart. I feel you Lord and I am honored and scared all at the same time. Help me to read your word and understand it. Thank you again for all of my beautiful blessings.

I am not ready for this!!!!

2009-01-07T00:26:00.006-06:00

Morgan pulled herself up in her crib and stood up on her own during nap today! I was excited and terrified all at the same time. She was happy and bouncing. She definitely knew was was doing something cool. We haven't even lowered her crib as she just started sitting up and crawling a month ago. Later in the afternoon Hunter called me in the kitchen to show me that she had crawled all the way through the house to the kitchen, pulled herself up on the case of bottled water and was trying to get her knee up so she could crawl up the cabinet...what happened to baby steps? I was cleaning out her clothes and hats again today and the overpriced cap that Wes bought her at Seven Falls in Colorado (it was way to big but we wanted to protect her little head) almost fits her perfect now. Wow how they grow!!!
Another thing I am not ready for....Mom bought Hunter an Electric Guitar for Christmas. I encouraged her I know that music is good for him developmentally and I am a true believer it is just good for the soul. THANK GOD IT CAME WITH EARPHONES!!!

I am almost done packing away all of the Christmas stuff. I procrastinated because I knew I would buy more during the 75% and 80% clearance sales. I over bought but got some really great deals for next year. I purchased a beautiful wreath at Hobby Lobby originally priced $99.95 for 20 bucks!!!! Yeeeee Hawwww!

I am signing up for a biggest looser challenge with my Mom's group. I am nervous because I have issues with will power...meaning I have none. I love food. I love to cook. I love to serve people comfort food in my home. I finally quit smoking almost two years ago (I smoked a pack a day for 12 years!) and am now addicted to food instead. Plus nursing Morgan leaves me famished so I eat more than I should. I am done with the excuses...I want to be healthy again. This is not just for me but for Wes and the children. Pray that I am successful. I know that it is God's desire for me to be healthy so that I can serve him and my family better.

Updates on the Kids...

2009-01-06T02:06:00.002-06:00

I realized that in being a blogger slacker I have missed so many updates on the kids. Hunter is still growing like a weed! He is less than an inch away from being as tall as I am. His voice is changing too. It is a very odd thing to watch your baby grow up so fast. He continues to makes good grades but really needs to improve his study habits. He is playing basketball and likes it. So far we are 2-0. He has a girlfriend, Hannah. I think he is too young but at least it gives him a reason to remember to put on deodorant and brush his teeth.

Morgan is also in the middle of a growth spurt. She is crawling everywhere and climbing on everything! There seems to be no stopping her and I have to really watch what the boys leave on the floor or she will have it in her mouth lightening quick. Over Christmas holiday she started waving and clapping. She also is mastering picking up food and toys with just her finger and thumb "pinching" things. She says Dadda, Bubba, Momma, shakes he head no and clamps her mouth shut when she is done eating and is getting better with a sippy cup. I still primarily breast feed her but she is eating two table meals a day as well. Lucky for me, she hasn't cut teeth yet but does drool everywhere! Just like me, she loves the men in her life. She looks at her big brother like an awe stuck fan and coos and smiles special just for her Daddy.

Have I mentioned today how much I love being a Mom? I truly do. Thank you God for my children. I pray that I am the Mother you desire for me to be and that I am teaching my children to love and trust in you.

Up up and away....

2009-01-04T21:50:00.005-06:00

Once again, I had to watch my very best friend walk through security at the airport to board a plane and fly far far away from me, our children, and the safety of our home. It is so hard to say goodbye or even see ya later. We have a cycle we go through...we fight a little, then we make up, then we ignore each other and get busy around the house pretending that it is a normal day, and then we pout a little while making jokes and trying to lift each other up, and finally when he is leaving we talk about how blessed we are that he has this job that supports our family. Tonight I told my husband that while he could be a pain (not the actual word I used), that he makes my whole world better and then I waved at him until I couldn't see him anymore and then I cried all the way the the truck. Just when I was about to say I can't do this, I heard a little voice in me say, "yes you can, you will because you have too and you are blessed." Thank you God for my reminder. Wes landed safely, called and told me he loved me, and made it to work to start his week. Those of you who are home with your spouses tonight need to hug them and tell them you love them an extra time for us.

New Years Resolutions

2009-01-01T00:00:00.010-06:00

I have a few New Years Resolutions for 2009. I borrowed a few I found a was inspired by:
To grow and become healthier spiritually, emotionally, and physically
To read God's word in some form daily
Turn off the TV more often
Go for walks as often as possible
To be a better wife, mother, daughter and friend
To continue to let go of the past and forgive
To clean out my closets and help those less fortunate than me
To become more organized
To learn to sew
To learn to cook healthier (and like it)
To be more like me than ever before!!!
To make a difference somehow, some way, to someone....

NEW YEAR CHEER

At the sound of the tolling midnight bell
a brand new year will begin.
Let's raise our hopes in a

confidant toast,
to the promise it ushers in.

May your battles be few, your pleasure many,
your wishes and dreams

fulfilled.
May your confidence stand in the face of loss

and give you the strength to rebuild.

May peace of heart fill all your days
may serenity grace your soul.

May tranquil moments bless your life
and keep your spirit whole.

May God walk with You in the coming Year,

bring Joy, Happiness, Health and Wealth.

For with Him there is no Fear.

God Bless You and Your Family.

Happy Trails to the Holidays and on to the New Year...

2008-12-30T00:00:00.014-06:00

I know, I know, I haven't blogged in weeks and oh how I have missed it. This is my journal. It is where I vent and think. I need this outlet! However, Wes is finally home for the holiday and I didn't want to miss a single second available with him and the kids. Like most, our Christmas was busy and filled with family. The only way it could have been better would be if we could have all of our family together at once rather than driving all over Texas to see everyone. I know I am living in a dream land and obviously watch too much television because that doesn't happen in real life...does it? Hunter & Morgan, PLEASE MARRY NICE PEOPLE WHO WILL LET YOU SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH US! I will be nice I promise. They can bring their entire families. I will even make your favorite foods and babysit your children on New Years Eve. Did I say please, pretty please, with sugar cookies on top?
A short recap of our holiday...Hunter's team lost their final All Stars game and he headed off to visit his family south of Houston. Morgan and I spent Christmas Eve home getting ready for the big day and on Christmas day morning Wes flew home! We were both so happy to see him. he is always so afraid Morgan will forget him, but I know the that there is no way that could ever happen. She loves her Daddy so much! We drove to my my Dad's and had a great Christmas feast with family there. Morgan went from one family member to another, some of whom she had never met and had a blast soaking up all the attention. I missed Hunter but knew he was having a great Christmas where he was at and was so happy to see him when his flight came in the next day. On Friday afternoon Wes took us to a nice dinner and then we had our family Christmas here at home. It was so fun watching Hunter open his gifts. Wes bought him a special jersey and tickets to both the Armed Forces Bowl and Cotton Bowl which totally surprised Hunter. He was literally speechless. I am not sure who was happier, Hunter for receiving the gift or Wes for making Hunter smile like that. They both just beamed with love and happiness and my heart was so content watching them. While Morgan has a knack for eating the wrapping off of other peoples gifts, she wasn't really sure how to open hers. Hunter helped and she loved her new toys. We woke early Saturday morning and headed to Possum Kingdom Lake to share a weekend with the Lee Family. Momma and Barney rented a great cabin for all of us to stay in with lots of space for the kids to run around and play. We all had a great time seeing family and just enjoying time together. Hunter really enjoyed the smaller nephews looking up to him and starting the beginnings of a bond that I pray last a lifetime. On Sunday we helped pack up and loaded our own truck with lots of goodies and headed to Mom and James. Mom had set up the Guest/Art Cabin for Christmas and it was adorable! We worked in the kitchen together when we arrived and in no time had the most Delicious dinner pulled together. I have to say the food was heavenly! My sister's family was there with us and we all shared a meal, opened presents, and watched the kids play a little while the men snuck off to check on the football games...stinkers. In all, it was simply a wonderful Christmas, not just because of the beautiful gifts we received, but because we were able to spend it with all of our families. We truly feel blessed. What a great way to honor the birth of Jesus, by gathering and loving the families we are blessed with. I had a hard time picking just a few favorites so have a ton of pictures to share. I wish I had more. I missed getting pictures of parts of both mine and Wes's families and his brother Brad is deployed so I won't get any of him until next year. Here are a few until I get a slide show together...

Dishing it out...

2008-12-15T17:43:00.021-06:00

Money is tight for everyone right now so we made a few new traditions for this Christmas that hopefully we will carry on for years to come. Rather than exchange gifts with our friends, we will be exchanging ornaments. So far, the friends that normally buy us a gift love the idea! It is far less expensive and I am already looking forward to decorating the tree years from now and saying, "do you remember when the Smith family gave us this, it was the Morgan began to crawl" You get the idea. I am so excited!!! Hunter and Morgan in front of our tree...

Bubba has the magic touch!!!

I was inspired by so many other blogs and the crafty homemade gift ideas that I had a hard time staying focused in one direction. My MIL came to the rescue and came to town with her Cricut in tow so I could make my gifts! Yeee Hawww!!!! It was so cool!!! Not only did she share her toy but she was a HUGE help with Morgan. Hunter loved his Mema taking him to and from school in her cool lil Mini Cooper. I spent (wasted) almost a whole day with a migraine while she was here but she switched into Super Mom gear and kept everyone smiling. We just took it easy that day and spent much needed time just hanging out together at home. I am so glad she was able to come and spend time with us here. We really had a great time and hope that we are able to do this more often. Here are a few pictures of my project...

On list I made at the very beginning on my blogging I had included that I wanted to make candles. My younger Sister has been making them for five plus years and does a wonderful job. For one reason or another she has been unable to teach me the tricks of the trade so I was thrilled with Mommaloo told me she would teach me. Any time women get together to make something for their family is a good time for me. So one evening in November I spent several hours at Mommaloo's home learning how she makes candles. I still need to figure out how to make labels and tweak a few things to make them more "mine," but I am happy with my beginnings. They will make great gifts. Welcome to the humble beginnings of Scent by Grace Candles & Heather Nicole's Handmade Gifts.

My Baby is not a baby anymore....

2008-12-12T02:20:00.017-06:00

Oh my! It has been a whole week since I blogged. How am I supposed to write about you and all your cuteness if you keep me so busy I can't finish a sentence??? I have a lot to catch up on...

Hunter had his first "dress up" dance at school last Friday, The Winter Formal, (which wasn't actually very formal at all). He asked two different girls to the dance and one accepted last minute. Hunter wanted to go all out but he was worried about our budget. After he went on line and got an idea of what he wanted, we went shopping and picked out ties and matching shirts, a belt and slacks. He borrowed a pair of Wes's size 13 shoes (doubled his socks and they fit!). Then a fresh haircut and we are good to go right??? WRONG! We are sitting in the salon and he receives a text message and then another, and another, the second girl is now inquiring about his availability, ON THE DAY OF THE DANCE! He said, "Um Mom, I think we have a problem..." We??? I don't get to dance and wear cute clothes. He was honest and worked it out with her. We rushed to basketball practice, had the coach loosely assemble his tie, flew home, he showered (I hope) and when it was all said and done, he looked simply dashing. When I fixed his tie and I almost cried seeing just how grown up he looked. I said, "my Baby is growing up", he replied, "Momma, your Baby isn't a baby any more." He unknowingly broke my heart in two right then and there.

After the dance...

This week was such a busy week! Hunter had his first basketball game Saturday. They won, but it was a VERY close game. This is a sport he hasn't played since he was seven and he is worried he will let his team down. He came home after the game and when he finished his chores, practiced in the driveway for 4 1/2 hours!!! We will see on Saturday how much his hard work pays off. We are proud of him as long as he tries. Since Hunter made the All-Star Football team, we also have football practice twice a week. Whew, five practices and a game on top of Pre-Ap Homework is a big load!! Morgan and I are all over the place running him here and there and trying to get ready for Christmas. It is nice to be out and about. Morgan is improving with her crawling skills and is scooting every where. Let me tell you, she is in dependant and and honery as ever. She is gradually eating more and more baby food. It is so messy! I wear almost as much of it as she does. You have to give her a spoon of her own while you feed her. This week we tried sweet potatoes, pears, applesauce, and squash along with her cereal. Mema helped with feedings and even bought her a highchair for her Christmas present. Morgan watched her put it together and was so excited to get in. She seemed know that it was for her and lit up at the sight of her new chair.

I loved my devotional today...

2008-12-03T11:30:00.003-06:00

“Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest." Esther 1:20 (NIV)

As I have shared before, I was blessed by Mommaloo forwarding this devotional to me. I love it! I love the words of wisdom. I love that they look to God's word in everything concerning their families. This is the mother and wife my heart desires to be. Wesley if you read this please know that I love you, I respect you, and I honor you. Kids when you read this later, please remember what type of husband and wife God instructs us to be. Family is the most beautiful blessing God granted us here on earth. I love you all so much!!!

http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/

You Put Your Left Foot In You Put your Left Foot Out....

2008-12-03T00:42:00.004-06:00

While I was putting Morgan's pajamas on last night she kept pulling out the opposite foot of what I was working on. I would stick her left foot in and try to hurry and get the right one in so she could be zipped up but she was too quick for me. As frustrating as it was, it made me smile at a memory of my Daddy trying to get my sister and I out of the tub. He would say put your leg up here so I can dry it off and I followed his directions, when it was all nice and dry he asked for the other leg...so I promptly put the dry leg back in the water and stuck the other up there to be dried. I clearly remember the bewildered look on his face and how at six years old I thought it was funny and giggled while playing our new game. That was a great moment.

Morgan has decided that sleep is no longer necessary. She will fall asleep while nursing and wake a few minutes after I lay her down in her crib. It doesn't help that my arthritic ankles make snapping noises as I try to sneak out of the room. Used to, I could lay her down still half asleep and she would sleep through the night. Lord, please help Morgan to feel better and get the rest she needs to grow and be healthy. Let your Grace wash over me and give me the patience I need to guide her through this stage....QUICKLY. She is so full of life and is so loved by all of us. Morgan, when you are older and have children of your own, I WILL REMIND YOU WHAT YOU PUT ME THROUGH. Then I will come over and help you because I believe that is what Mom's do and I love being a Mom.

Family Filled Thanksgiving...

2008-12-02T01:06:00.007-06:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. We cook great food, you don't have to buy gifts, and people take the time to slow down and simply say, "Thank You". I wish it happened year round. As for our family, we are thankful for our blessings year round.

I pulled out my "original" engagement ring and tried to wear it on my still swollen postpartum fingers. Wes made it for me out of pearl and turquoise colored beads with our initials woven in to the pattern. I still love it even though I have a pretty diamond ring. The thing I love about it the most is that it is a great reminder of who we are as a couple. I fell in love with Wes when he had no money at all, no job, nothing to offer me at all, except his heart, his beautiful heart. There is no material or tangible thing that could ever be better than the way he loves me and our children. I am so thankful for my life as a Mother and a Wife. I am so thankful God finally brought us together and blessed us as he has.

Wes was able to fly home on Thanksgiving and spend the holiday with us. It was so wonderful having the four of us in our home all at the same time. Morgan and I were sick with a bug or touch of food poisoning. Wes did a great job of taking care of us. We spent Thanksgiving day at my Daddy's and Wes's parents came to visit both Saturday and Sunday evenings. We didn't make it to Momma's as we were afraid of getting anyone else sick. We were looking forward to fishing with her. Heck, it's Texas, it may be warm enough to fish at Christmas.

Wes fed Morgan her very first baby food, "Bananas"

We went to watch the Permian vs Allen playoff game at Texas Stadium. I still didn't feel 100% but Wes had never been there and I didn't want him to miss it. Hunter said several times that he really had a good time even if permain lost. That made me happy to see him just enjoying family time. The boys were sweet and watched Maid of Honor with me and we all did lots of laundry. Wes helped Hunter put up the basketball goal so that Hunter can practice. We put up the Christmas tree too! Now we just need to decorate it.

Fixing the branches on the tree

Wes & Bear reassembeling the basketball goal

Nov 26, 2008 Taking a bath before Daddy gets home. First time she sat up on her own!!! Still learning how to crawl and sit...
Playing and sitting on the floor with Daddy... Playing with her hair while she eats...

Over the River and through the Woods....

2008-11-24T09:01:00.004-06:00

Well I am still running behind on my updates but I wanted to throw a few in and list some more of the reasons that I am Thankful really quick before Morgan wakes up.

After a long football season we lost our second playoff game. Our team played really hard all season long and could use the time off. Hunter played great as always but needs to work on keeping his head in the game and not letting the refs coach him...or attempt to. The Ref told Hunter he was playing too aggressively and was too rough...It's football, much to my dismay it is supposed to be rough! His hard work payed off as he has been invited to play All Stars. It is an honor for him and a great opportunity to play at a more competitive level. I wanted so badly to be sick of football, but watching Hunter put his whole heart into something right in front of me and the rest of the world was a beautiful thing. It isn't something you physically get to see all the time from your children. He loves it, therefore I love it! He is truly such a funny and challenging kid. Since he is so tall and looks like a young man, people seem to forget that he is still a very insecure little boy who gets his feelings hurt very easily by the people he looks up to. Other peoples words bring him down way faster than I can build his confidence back up. It is really frustrating. Why can't people just see his heart and not him physically when they talk to him? Why do they say things without considering how deeply they will effect him?

On to smaller people...Morgan had her first banana in her cereal on Saturday. She hasn't been eating that much, only a table spoon or so. I though smashing a banana in there would help...basically it just gave me more funny faces to laugh at. I do think she enjoyed eating with me at the table though instead of just watching me shovel my breakfast in. She is really enjoying her bouncy horse. She starts bouncing as soon as you put her in it, unless she is hungry or just wants mommy...then nothing else works (Except Auntie B). She is still trying to crawl. She can get all over the place on her own, but it is still by using her hands like suction cups on the wooden floors. She is a VERY happy baby.

I Am Thankful For:
Wes's job
That Wes will be home this week
Ironed Sheets
AGAIN my children and their smiling faces
Moments with Hunter where he still acts like a child
Bouncy Horses
My time making candles and having girl time with B
My friends
Cameras

So now we are off to my Mom's...I am singing over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go!

Joystealers...

2008-11-19T03:00:00.000-06:00

Are there people in your life who constantly steal your joy? There are in mine. In church we are told to separate ourselves from them. What do we do if we can't? What if we are related or joined in some other way and have no choice? What if they never hear a darn word you say so talking it out doesn't matter? I was trying to sleep but couldn't because I was too angry with SJ. I was laying there praying begging God to take the anger away and give me wisdom for the right words to say. Instead, I was reminded to be thankful. So here I am, making a Thankful List to make me feel better and hopefully sleep a little before Little Miss Thang wakes up bright and early to eat AGAIN.

I Am Thankful For God's grace and forgiveness
My wonderfully patient & handsome husband, Wes
My son, he is the best son I could have ever imagined
My daughter, she lights up all of our days
That my parents are alive and my children know them
Family-the good, the bad, and the ugly
My home
The abundance of food that we are blessed with
Red, our dog & Speedy Fred, our turtle
The clothes in my closet (even if they are way too small now)
America
The men and women that fight for our freedom
That I am healthy that my children are safe and healthy
For sunshine
For quiet moments at 2:30 am when no one is awake but me and I can think clearly again
My friends old and new
That gas prices went down
For the smell of fall
That I can see and read
That I am finally getting started on making candles (it only took me what.... 4 years?)
That I am surrounded by God's "artwork" everyday

When I logged on I found http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2008/10/thankful-month.html and was even more inspired and blessed. Thank you!

A few updates: Hunter broke his finger in a scrimmage and had to have a hard cast put on so that the chipped piece could reattach itself. He was/is still able to play in the playoffs. The Coach has to wrap and pad though. We made it another week in the playoffs and Hunter was chosen to play on an all star football team. He is such a trooper. We are very proud of him.

Wes is still working in Pueblo. We miss him and can't wait until we are all together again. We have no idea where God wants us but we pray about it together as a family daily. We all know we just want to be together as a family as soon as possible.

Miss Morgan is babbling up a storm. She doesn't much care for cereal when I try to feed her. She does better for Wes and Hunter. She must know I have the good stuff. She is still trying to crawl. Her rear is up and rocking and she does get all over the place. She sticks her hands to the wood floor like suction cups and slides to her desired spot (normally under the coffee table). She smiles all the time and melts Hunter's heart. I am constantly saying, "Leave your sister alone and do your homework!" He is so in love with her. Again, my heart is happy and I am so proud.

Clearing the Clutter...

2008-11-13T08:58:00.005-06:00

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NLT)

I haven't blogged on a few days and I feel behind. A lot has happened and I have read some great devotionals that have given me great inspiration, but then I let it get all jumbled and didn't have a clear direction in what to write about...So I will make this even longer than usual and write about it all.
I have been saying that I wanted to clear the clutter in my home for a long long long time. I have even thought about opening a business helping others to clear their clutter and get organized. You just feel better when things are in their place and you can find what your actually looking for. I start but never finish. There are too many readily available excuses; Morgan was fussy, I was tired from not sleeping well, I was too busy blogging. You get the idea. I have a clear goal that this MUST be done. I can help others by donating the items that clutter our home, make things from them, and even make some extra money selling others. I am pushing myself to spend at least a half hour a day decluttering something.

Well lets take this one step further. I have been trying to declutter my heart as well for years and have just not been able to finish. I get going on a good healthy path, I think I am doing good and then it creeps in...insecurities caused by others words, painful memories of people in my life who lied to me or who continue to lie about me, let me down, hurt me emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The lingering thoughts invade my day over and over. I figure this is much like the way a drug addicts desire to use creeps in over and over even when they claim to have "recovered". The thoughts are like a cancer, they make me feel ill and invade every area of my life. As a Christian, how can I still be holding on? Isn't it supposed to go away once you forgive the person? I have openly given this to God, why does my heart keep taking it back? Whatever the reason, I am not giving up. If I let the people and painful circumstances in my life hurt me over and over, they win! I am just too stubborn to let that happen. I am not going to let them steal my joy anymore. I am not silly & naive. I know that a smell or something I see can jolt me to a standstill and bring those thoughts to mind, but I don't have to let it effect me. I know that it is Satan, trying to rob me and my family of the peace that God desires for us, and distance me from God.

Not only does this "clutter" distance me from God, but it tries to infect my marriage as well. Wesley has been so wonderful with me. No matter how insecure I get, he is still there, consistent, steady, and strong. He loves me just as I am, on days I am whole and even those that I am broken. God truly blessed me when he brought us together. But Wes can't "fix" what is broken. That is not what love does. He didn't break me, but he loves me in spite of and through my imperfections. That is love. I am loved and I love him.

While praying about this the other day, I asked God to heal me, that I am broken, and needed him to touch my heart. In my mind as I prayed I could see God's love and forgiveness pouring in my heart and filling in the cracks and broken pieces. It was beautiful. It is beautiful.

Some of what inspired me was reading this devotional:

http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2008/11/clean-house-and-clean-heart.html

More to come! I haven't even scratched the surface.

We had a great weekend with Wes.
Morgan, two crawls forward and one crawl back
Hunter and his hamstring

I will be posting family pictures soon. Hunter played a good game after recovering from a pulled hamstring.

Daddy's Coming Home!!!

2008-11-06T05:29:00.005-06:00

Daddy will be here this weekend! I have missed him so much and can't wait to see him. He gives the best hugs. He is my best friend and I love it when he is home. Morgan has been saying "A, dadadadada" over and over. Know she doesn't know what she is saying, but I still love it for Wes. She has such a personality and has made me laugh quite a bit lately. I put her on the carpet in her room and she tries to swim. She lays there with her big belly on the floor, arms and legs just a swimming, and looks up frustrated after a while because she hasn't made any progress. I laughed out loud which made her get mad and cry. It was so cute. Speaking of her cry, it has changed. It isn't so high pitch and is a lot more pathetic. It just breaks your heart. Hunter actually got tears when he heard it the first time. He loves his baby sister so much. I have to tell him leave her alone all the time because he wants to play with her when she is already happy and content.

As for me, I went to Wal-Mart yesterday to get groceries and stuff to make yummy meals for Wes. It was a good trip. Morgan hung out in her sling and I stayed under budget. Most of my favorite staples were on sale so I stocked up. Here is a few shots of my almost full pantry now. I laughed when I looked at it and realized that I really stock up on the things that we eat more often. Notice two of each on the carb shelf. Cans I buy four at a time normally. Compulsive? Nah, just prepared.

Looking at this I obviously have favorites. I almost always buy the same things when I go to the store. When you are grown you will remember, but to get you started here is a list of things we always had. I guess there are certain things each person feels that they have to have in the pantry. Here is a list of my favorite things:

Campbell's (in this order-Cream of Mushroom, Tomato, Cream of Chicken, Chicken and Rice, and Chicken and Noodle of course)
Stove Top Stuffing
Del Monte Cut Green Beans, Whole Kernel Corn, Stewed & Diced Tomatoes & Peaches (not the off brands)
Wal-Mart Brand Mandarin Oranges, Apple Sauce, Maraschino Cherries & Pear Slices
Dole Pineapple both slices and chunks
Wolf Chili, no bean
Starkist Tuna in water not oil
Chunk White Chicken Wal-mart (most brands will do)
Velveeta shells and cheese
Lipton Rice
Minute Rice or Uncle Ben's Boil in the Bag Rice
Kraft Mac n Cheese
Shake and Bake
Wal-Mart Italian Bread Crumbs
Bisquick
Betty Crocker Pineapple Upside Down Cake mix
French's Onions
Kraft Dressings-Tomato Basil Vinaigrette, Catalina, Zesty Italian, misc others
Hidden Vally Ranch dressing and seasoning packetts
Pepperidge Farm Seasoned Croutons
Pasta (whole wheat pene, thin spaghetti, egg noodles, elbow noodles, rotini, and then misc others)
Jiffy Peanut Butter, creamy
Welch's Grape Jelly
Lowery's Seasoning Salt
Sugar
Pillsbury Flower
Hellman's Mayo
Heinz Ketsup
Frenches Mustard
Lipton Tea
Mrs. Baird's White Honey Wheat Bread
Daisy Sour Cream
Yoplait Yogurt
Crisco Sticks
Anything Pillsbury or Betty Crocker is usually yummy and fattening.
Also must haves: olive oil, hamburger meat, frozen boneless chicken breast, 2% milk, eggs, butter, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce

I feel like I have forgotten something. I hope this list makes you feel at home one day when you do have a place of your own. You can make most of the recipes we eat on a regular basis from this. Of course, in no time at all you will find new yummy things and have a special list all of your own.

You can call me Flower if you want to....

2008-11-03T10:12:00.009-06:00

Our Halloween was Spooktacular! Corney I know, but I couldn't help myself. We spent the evening at a team mates home and neighborhood trick or treating by hayride (although there was no hay so trailer ride?). What a great way to tag along with your kids with out being exhausted! Hunter chose a nostalgic (and inexpensive) ghost costume and Morgan was a flower. As usual, we had a wonderful time with B's family.

Hunter's team played a great game Saturday. They lost, but not for lack of effort. I am so proud of the athlete he is becoming. For so long, it has been easy for him and has just come natural, now he is having to make an effort and learn new things and is making us so proud. His coach called me today and let me know that Hunter is the most complimented and talked about player in all of our league. Can you imagine how proud I am as a parent right now? Good job Hunter Bear!!! Keep giving 110% in all things and you will always feel like a winner. We are all so proud of you. Your a great athlete, student and big brother. We love you so much!!!

Good Morning God...

2008-10-30T11:48:00.004-05:00

Your word is stuck in my head. Thank you for my wonderful blessings: My husband Wes, my children, my home, our health, the healing that we have received and continue to receive, our family and friends, and for the ability and desire to help others. Please open our hearts to follow in the direction you want us to go and to stop the power struggle we all have to be in control. Help me to hear you each time you say, "Let me do it." I hear you Lord.

Finally Seeing Eye to Eye...

2008-10-29T22:06:00.010-05:00

Sweet Baby Morgan loves her Daddy. She lets him know that in a few different, adorable, and very special ways. One of which is by gazing in his eyes and seriously studying his face. For a while now she would touch his face almost like a person without sight does when trying to mentally visualize a face. It is so sweet and heartwarming with one little problem...she wouldn't look at me that way. Not up close, no gazing at Momma unless she was eating. I was crushed, she loved him more. How silly you say...probably so, but my feelings none the less. She held him different when he held her. She always seems content and safe in his big strong arms (I should understand this, I feel the same way in his arms). She looked at me and just rooted around to eat...I was there for four things, to feed her, change her, play and sing to her. Yet, when I would try to get her to look me in the eye, she would jerk her head to the left, so I lean to the left and say, "look at Momma," she then jerks her head to the right, again, "look at Momma, right here in front of you." Nada. She was putting her foot down, she is officially a Daddy's girl. My Mom tells me that it is just because she thinks of me as an extension of herself, like her hand foot, always there when she looks for it (except she spent a lot of time looking at and studying those too). Morgan and I have bonded in our own little ways, we talk and talk to each other, my voice soothes her faster than any other, she wants me and not a bottle or pacifier, and I know how to calm her by holding her against me and changing my own breathing and heartbeat. I honestly don't mind her being a Daddy's girl. I mean, what little girl isn't right? Well, I am very happy to share pictures from a moment where she finally gazed into my face and loved on me a little. She has been giving kisses, holding her face to mine, reaching for me, kicking happily when I walk up, holding my face in her hands and smiling as if to say, "Awww Momma, I always loved you too!" We celebrated her turning five months old today by feeding Baby Girl her very first serving of rice cereal. She did great and ate as much as she wore! She did bore of it easily but has so far slept through the night. Yee Haw!

Giddy Up Cowgirl, He We Go...

2008-10-28T16:24:00.004-05:00

Morgan had a blast in her horse bouncer today. So far it was the longest she played in it. She is sitting in her car seat now, waking from a nap, blowing raspberries and talking to herself. Like mother like daughter. We are starting cereal tomorrow on her five month birthday. We wanted to wait for Wes so that he could be here for her first feeding but she is no longer sleeping through the night. She woke at 1:00 am, 3:00 am, and 5:15 am last night and that just isn't healthy for any of us. She only eats for a few minutes and falls back to sleep. When I move her away from me she roots around looking for her "pacifier". As cute as it is, I need all the beauty sleep I can get. It is quite funny to see her watch me when I eat. She has seriously studied each bite of my meals lately. She totally gets how it works and is stealing little nibbles when I am eating something soft and gentle enough for her little tummy. She tries to drink from my water bottles and actually stole a sip of her Bubba's icee the other day. He must have taught her to drink from a straw while I was sleeping. Wes can do the first jar of veggies when she is ready.

As for me, I was blessed by a scripture I read this morning. Proverbs 31:10-31. It has been a long time since I read it. Mommaloo saw a website/blog and thought I might enjoy it. I don't think she realized how much it was just what I needed to read right now. I am going to focus for a while in my walk on the principals I borrowed from the web site.

The Seven Principles of the Proverbs 31 Woman

The Proverbs 31 Woman...

Pursues an ongoing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Loves, honors, and greatly enriches the life of her husband, encouraging and supporting his leadership within his family and his church.
Nurtures the next generation, shaping and molding the children who will one day define who we are as a community and as a nation.
Creates a warm and loving environment for family and friends.
Is a faithful steward of the time and money God has entrusted to her.
Speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction as she encourages others and develops godly friendships.
Shares the love of Christ by extending her hands to help the poor and opening her arms to the needy.

You can read more about it by going to http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/about/aboutP31.php

Bad dream

2008-10-26T09:12:00.007-05:00

So last night I didn't sleep much. I had a horrible nightmare! I dreamt that I was pregnant again and Wes decided that I was mean and didn't want to marry me (funny since we are already married). Ha! Apparently my subconscious feels guilty for being so hormonal during my pregnancy with Morgan. Of course when I called Wes and told him about my bad dream, he laughed and asked if I thought I was pregnant and sweetly said he would never ever leave me. Thank God I am married to the real Wes and not the mixed up version of him I dreamt about!

We have started attending a new church here in town. Hunter and I tried it last weekend with B's family and really liked it. The praise and worship is great. This week's sermon was about war, not just war between nations, but between you and those you love. He made some really great points.

Bear's team won their game yesterday. Now they are 4 wins and 2 losses. Next week is the last game of the season. I am not sure how the play offs work, but we are in them. He also had his very first Jr. High dance on Friday. He was stressed about going with out a date. I think my comment was something like, "It is a Jr High dance, not prom, for crying out loud!" I dropped him off alone at the door of the cafeteria and was sad to see my baby boy go. I was also a little nostalgic about my own Jr High dances (and how old I felt). He had a blast and danced with his buddies all night. I am sure he was acting like a fool, but he loved every minute of it and even said he can't wait until the next dance. After the dance he even mustered up the courage to call his now ex girlfriend and ask about all of the rumors he had heard during the week about her reasons for breaking up with him. Turns out she just wasn't ready for a boyfriend. He was so happy that it wasn't anything he did or said, he jumped and said, "YES!" when he hung up. I think it was a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

Morgan is still inching around trying to crawl. What she does is not exactly a crawl but she gets all over the place. I will walk in the kitchen to get a drink and she disappears under the coffee table. Wasn't ready for that scare! She babbles on and on all day. On Thursday she had her 4 month checkup and shots. Poor baby, she was already a little under the weather and those shots just did her in. Poor me, I have had a fussy baby all week. I realized that I actually look forward to football practice where there are other Mommas ready to take her off my hands and give me a breather. Hunter is such a great helper. I just don't know what I would do with out him. I know he loves her but I also know he does it to help Wes when he can't be there.

I miss Wes so much. He is working so hard to make ends meet and continue to let me stay home. With the cost of gas, day care, and new clothes, me working out of the house is just out of the question right now. We would be paying out more than I could bring in. Besides that, I really want to be home with my babies right now while I can. Thank you God for allowing us this blessing.

Rant for the day...

2008-10-25T13:43:00.009-05:00

Okay, I need to rant and then I will feel better and not be ugly to anyone. I read somewhere to remember that once you throw a stone you can't take it back. So here is me just venting...

Why don't I just tattoo a welcome mat on my back. Seriously! I must have issues with just rolling over and getting walked all over. Why is it that I am always getting walked on by those I love the most. Is is because I always come running no matter what, that I am just glutton for punishment? How is it that I can be the friend that listens and listens, but is rarely heard (Not directed at you B), the person that is told, "I don't want to talk about that, enough about your friends/problems/life, your upsetting me with that," but is supposed to sit still and listen when your ranting on and on about whomever has upset you that day and respond at the proper time or you get upset? If I respond at the wrong time you get upset and say I am interrupting. I can't win for loosing. Today, I called someone dear to me to check on her. She was very upset and blue. I try to calling when Morgan is laughing to cheer her up. So here I am working hard to get Morgan to laugh for her and she tells me to hold on so that she can watch TV. Um hello! If your busy when someone calls, let them know in the beginning and ask that they call you later. I have way better things to do than sit and listen to you watch TV!!! You see it is all about balance, give and take, respect. If you don't respect me at least let me walk away with a little dignity. I mean whats not to respect? I am a great Mother and wife (not perfect, still human), but great none the less. I am a good friend who values and holds on to her friendships for a lifetime...not just when it is convenient to me. I am forgiving, funny, smart, and try to bring everyone up and not down. So why why why do I put myself through this? Ideas anyone?

To my dear children, DON'T BE A DOORMAT! Life is too short. Be kind, be loving, and know when it is best to just walk away.

The Elephant in the Room...

2008-10-22T23:49:00.006-05:00

I need to address the elephant in my kitchen...my bread maker. I wanted one so badly. When I worked in an office, my friend Charlotte always made homemade bread and brought it in to share. I was in heaven! It was warm, fresh, and delicious. I left that job the during my pregnancy, but Charlotte made sure to give me my Christmas present first...a brand new bread machine! I came straight home and opened it and then realized, much to my dismay, the instructions were long. Who knew!? It was so long that it scared me and I have never used the darn thing. I want to. I really do. I dream of yummy smelling bread drawing my sons attention into the kitchen and my husband telling me how great it is. So today's goal is to make bread in it before Sunday dinner. I will let you know how it goes. Any suggestions?

I have been making glass bead word art. It started as a magnet project that I saw in another blog and became something else. I found square and oval glass beads to go along with the small and large circles. I think I will use them to make frames and such rather than just magnets. Hunter made some for himself tonight. He said I need to buy more masculine paper. He is so darn cute. Very easy to make.

Supplies:

clear glass beads (the clearer the better)

scrap book paper

words (I used stickers and printed meaningful words in small font on computer)

glue that will dry clear

magnets or frames

circle hole punch (I am too cheap and just trimmed around glass bead with scissors)

Cut paper small enough to cover the back of the glass bead. Select words and adhere to paper circle. Glue to back of glass bead. I smeared in a circle to be sure all of paper circle was glued to the bead. Let dry. This can be the boring part. Make a glass of ice tea and relax for a while or check your e-mail. Glue magnet to back of bead or glue bead to frame. Wallah! Easy breezy.

On totally different note. Baby girl is sick. This morning her little eyes were matted shut with gunk worse than before. She looked like a baby mole struggling to open them. It was so sad. She also took way longer naps than normal. Hunter was really worried about her this morning and when he got home from school said, "It really freaked me out!" He truly loves his baby sister. I told him not to worry, I am taking her to the doctor tomorrow. She has also decided that she wants to sleep on her tummy with her rear in the air and her face smashed against anything that could possible suffocate her. It scares me to death. I am like a zombie now because I go in her room over and over all night checking on her. I am very aware that babies have slept on their tummy for hundreds of years and lived. Everywhere I turn I see the signs in the doctors office, literature, my Mommy web sites, books, the news all saying that babies are safer and less likely to die of SIDS if they sleep on their backs. Morgan is stubborn and doesn't care. I go in her room and roll her to her back and before I make it out the door she is rolling over to her tummy and pushing her hiney as high as she can get it.

Hunter's little girlfriend told him she just wants to be friends. He is heartbroken. He really liked her. While it is sad for him I had to laugh when he told me, "she hugged me! The first and only time she hugged me was while she was breaking up with me!" I find it interesting that she broke up with him just days after he came home and confessed that he just doesn't know to talk to girls. He is always so full of himself I was surprised to hear him admit that. I liked her. She wasn't needy, didn't call him, never caused drama, and was sweet with out being a diva. Plus she distracted him from "THE MEAN GIRLS." That is a whole 'nother blog in it's own.

That really sticks in my craw!!!

2008-10-21T13:15:00.001-05:00

Hehe! I have always wanted to say that.

To do: Get Groceries, go to park to meet Mom’s, have lunch with Mommaloo.
Did me in: Get Groceries

So this morning I actually make an effort to shower and get dressed as I am excited about my day. I dropped Hunter Bear off at school and headed off to Wal-mart. (Cue the Leave it to Beaver music in the back ground) I arrive and load the cart with Morgan in her carrier, coupons, grocery list, my sling, and my purse (contents overflowing). Now how on earth do I fit all my groceries? I shop carefully, comparing prices and matching coupons to products. Money is tight for everyone right? I hadn’t shopped in three weeks as I wanted to use up what was in the house before it expired. So I pushed my carefully overloaded heaping cart through the store and Morgan wakes and begins to cry. Have no fear Super Mom is here! But wait, what do I see….buggers! (Leave it to Beaver music comes to screeching halt!) Not just in her nose but her eyes are beginning to get a little matted. So I grab my trusty sling and strap her to my hip where she will probably rub her buggers on my cute clean shirt because if I touch her nose now she will scream from this point on. I finish shopping (not really but my cart was too heavy for me to push alone) and look for a short line…it is Wal-mart, they have twenty plus registers, and ONLY FOUR are lit up and all are full of carts loaded to the top similar to mine. For crying out loud, it is Tuesday morning, don’t you people work!? Murphy’s Law or some cruel joke, I get the slowest cashier possible. The cashier was totally immune to Morgan crying while I rocked from one foot to the other and bouncing up and down saying, “its okay, Mommies trying to hurry.” Then I notice wait, where is the bread, where are my tomatoes? She had loaded them in the bottom of the cart…UNDER THE CANS! So while I am moving them to a second cart and trying desperately to sooth Morgan while rescuing my groceries, she begins to tell me how sick she is and how she isn’t feeling very well. OMG!!! She just touched every single thing I bought and probably didn’t even wash her hands either. So I reach for the coupons and realize that half my stack is gone. Couldn’t some of the total strangers who insisted on reaching into my sling to touch my baby (they probably didn’t wash their hands either) have mentioned the Hansel & Gretel trail of coupons I had lost? So I spent $279.00 of my husbands hard earned money, half of which was wasted on squished produce, and ask for assistance in taking my two carts to the truck…I wait, and wait, Morgan cries, and cries, my food is melting and melting, and seven minutes later HE appears. I am looking around for a camera crew because surly I am on candid camera. Bless his heart, HE was mentally handicapped, and I wanted to cry at this point. Why you ask? Partly because I wanted to lean over and give him a hug for being so darn happy and partly because not only did he walk as slow as a toddler, he also had to stop and say hello to every single person he knew that we passed from line to the truck while announcing to me how he knew each of them. Do you have any idea how many people you pass on your way to your vehicle? I do. While loading my groceries in the truck I realize it is ten and my Mom’s group is already at the park reading fabulous books and smiling at their babies. While unloading my truck I realize that I now smell like my son does after a football game. I called my friend and cancelled lunch.
So the question is where do you shop? What is the cheapest and most baby friendly grocery store? What about customer service and product availability?
Thank you God for my many blessings. Thank you God for the patience of those Mommies juggling more than one baby on their hip while they go through what I did? Thank you God for not allowing me the strength to ring the ever loving necks of the people at Wal-Mart. Thank you God that miraculously I didn't say any bad words all morning. Thank you God that I was a big girl and didn't cry when I accidentally deleted this and had to re-type the whole thing...It was funnier the second time around.

Lord, Please help me to be more humble...

2008-10-15T12:32:00.002-05:00

I want so much to be a more humble servant. I want to have less desire for possessions and so much more love. I want to give without worrying about what I will get in return. I want to share, smiles, laughter, love, patience, understanding, wisdom, nourishment, and peace. Lord, please touch my heart daily and remind me to be more like the sparrow that does not worry and knows that YOU will ALWAYS provide. Thank you God for all of my many blessings. Let me see them in my heart before I worry about something monetary of this world. Also, thank you God for napping babies and pretty white pumpkins.

I was so tickled with Hunter's prayer this morning. He was thanking God for all of our blessings. He began with, " thank you for Morgan, thank you for bringing Wes into our lives, thank you for his job, thank you for the food and shelter that he gives us...that You give us...that he gives us...Lord thank you for everything." He sat there a little puzzled at his own prayer, not knowing who to thank for the food. Was it God, or Wes for working so hard at the job that God blessed us with. I am sure I grinned and then said, "sometimes it's hard to decide which came first the chicken or the egg huh?" He smiled, gave me my morning kisses, and off he went.

Our Wonderful Weekend and Bear's Suprise

2008-10-14T23:04:00.009-05:00

I am out of chronologically out of order, but couldn't get the pictures to load so am combining a few days. We had a great weekend together as a family. Wes and I enjoyed some much needed quiet time alone while Bear was at the movies with his team. On Saturday, I made a big breakfast and we watched the Texas vs. OU game. Well, that's not entirely true. The boys watched the game. Morgan and I napped at the couch. It was really nice. While we were getting ready for the game, there was a knock at the door...Hunter was so shocked to see Papa Bill and Nana that he left them standing there! They came to visit and watch his football game. He was so happy that they were able to see him play. Play he did! They lost, but he played like a winner throughout he whole game. It was a wonderful thing to be watching Hunter play and to look over and see my parents, my husband, and sweet baby there on the side lines. Notice my friends holding Morgan in the background?

Morgan was adorable with her Daddy. He would make growling noises and gobble her nose and she would try to do it back at him afterwards. He later laid his head on a pillow next to her, turned his head and kissed her cheek...she did it to him each time, as if they were taking turns! She had never done that before. Today, she rolled from her back to her tummy and then back over on her back.

Hunter enjoyed practicing football in the rain and mud. His white practice pants are not so white anymore. We are very proud of his grades. We get his report card tomorrow...cross your fingers for him.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY!

2008-10-13T22:47:00.022-05:00

Having fun can really wear you out! The kids were out of school for a holiday today so I thought it would be fun to take Morgan on her first trip to the zoo. I packed up my children and borrowed a few more from Mommaloo and off we went. I make it sound so easy right? HA!!! I had to feed Morgan twice before we ever left the house, Hunter left my keys IN THE DOOR all night...we discovered this after half an hour of frantically searching, and I had to load up half the nursery because I am afraid of getting too far off and needing clean clothes or extra diapers....only because I have learned the hard way on this one. All the preparation was worth while as we had a great time at the zoo. The animals were entertaining as always. There were baby lions playing around the Momma lion with out a care in the world. The penguins while cute, smell horrible. The kids really enjoyed feeding the parakeets.

Here are a few shots that I really liked. I can't help but wonder what this conversation was about...

Laughter really is contagious

2008-10-09T16:04:00.004-05:00

Have you ever noticed that no matter how busy or grumpy you are, that the laughter of a child or baby can make everything just melt away. Morgan did that for me today. She giggled and smiled at me all day as if I were the best thing on earth to look at.

Finding Myself, One Day at a Time

2008-10-08T13:57:00.012-05:00

I have found the love of my life. I have found my way to having two of the most beautiful children I have ever set my eyes on, and still, I just haven't found myself...yet. I am not complaining though. I am glad each day is an adventure. Although, I am not sure that those around me are so happy about it on my adventurous blue days. I am thankful that there are some really important things about myself that I do know for sure. I know that I love God. I know with all my heart that he created this beautiful place for us to live and share with our friends and families. I know that I love my husband and that he is the man God wanted me to grow old with. I know that it is my job as a Mother to unconditionally love my children. To teach them to love God, the difference between right and wrong, not to lie, to be good people, to be humble, to give everything that is important 110% effort, and how to forgive. As a parent, I am not perfect, none of us are, so forgiveness is especially important in this area. When you are grown and you read this, please forgive me for whatever it is that you are holding against me and remember that I love you with all my heart. There is so much more to all I know about myself, but I am afraid of always rambling on..which is yet another thing I do know about myself. I hope that everyday I take the time to open the box and learn something new about myself, or something new, no matter how scary it is.
Some of the things on my mind I want to learn or do:
1. How to sew...yes Mommaloo, I opened the box. Note to manufactures, these things should come packaged with the tread already attached.
2. Make quite time everyday with God and for myself. Psalm 46:10 BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
3. How to stop worrying about everyone else and what they think. I am a good person, wife, mother, daughter, and friend. If they don't see that, too bad for them. I have wasted so much time exhausting myself worrying about others opinions and now realize that the only ones that matter all sleep with in these walls. Kids, don't mistake this as an excuse to be rude or hateful. That it is not. Simply put, be true to yourself with no apologies.
4. To clear the clutter in my home and my heart. I need more time, energy, and motivation for the home, and God and my family for the other.

Today I am Thankful for:
You Hunter, for being the best mirror ever
Mom, I love my toenails!
Wes, for loving me when I don't know how to love myself
Mommaloo, for letting me vent and never judging
Morgan, for smiling at me and drifting off to a nap just when I needed it most.

That my parents (both sets) are alive and healthy
God, for all of the above

The garden tub that I will be soaking in tonight...gotta have my quiet time!

I have missed getting new pictures on here the past week so here are a few to catch us up

My Daddy just turned 69, Hunter 12, and Morgan 4 months

Morgan being funny at Hunter's game Saturday

2008-10-04T21:09:00.004-05:00

It has been a busy week as usual. It is so funny that all day long I think, "oh, I have to put that in my blog!" and then totally forget. Speaking of, my 4 year old nephew saw me breast feeding Morgan on Thursday at Mom's house. He looked at her under my shirt and said, "Ummm YOUR SHIRT!" I tried to explain that God made babies able to get their milk from their Mommies much the same as cows and horses (he would relate to that right?). So what his response you are wondering right??? Drum roll please...he looked at me and said, "but you have toes!" So apparently in his sweet, innocent little mind, it is not our brains or opposable thumbs that set us apart from other mammals...just the simple fact that we have toes. He is so cute!
More updates...
Hunter's team won their game tonight. They all did great. This is by far my favorite team and group of coaches we have had in this town so far. We have had a few great coaches, but never a whole group of them at once. What a blessing! Even our team parents are great.
Morgan is growing like a little blossom. She isn't shrieking as much but has lowered her pitch when talking (babbling). She has a blast at football practice and games as all of the Mommies pass her around and take turns holding her. While she does great with all the cheering and yelling at the games, I have noticed at home that she is responding more to loud sounds or me yelling at the dog to quit barking and will cry if I am holding her and call for Hunter to come in the room. It is such a sad face she makes with that cute bottom lip sticking out. She is a wiggle worm now and has her arms and legs kicking about all the time. She is also using both hands to touch things and hold her toys. We are getting ready to try rice cereal. Wes wants to be home for her first feeding so I will wait. He is afraid she has forgotten him...there is no way! She is a Daddy's Girl through and through.
As for me, I am totally thrilled with my new list of crafting ideas. If things go well I will eventually open an etsy store and maybe set up booth in one of the local shops. There are so many things I want to learn to do right now. I just don't know where to begin.
Things I am Thankful for Today:
Everyday my husband and beautiful healthy children
my friends, old and new
my family, no matter how nutty I think they are...we all think our families are nutty right?
my brand thing new...my sewing machine (THANK YOU B)
Walmart for being open 24hrs a day!

Tackle it Tueasday Became Way to go Wednesday

2008-10-02T01:05:00.003-05:00

Once upon a time I was a Coordinator. I was great! One of the best. I dressed for work, professionally worked with higher up executives, and some sick part of me actually subconsciously enjoyed my annual review where I was told I did a good job. I loved the pace, the challenges, the interaction. I thought I had it all figured out, and we were blessed with Morgan, and my career path changed to one that landed me at home feeling, well, a little less than. Home is completely where my heart desires for me to be. I want to be the best Mommy and wife. I want my home to be welcoming to everyone who comes over to visit, my dinners to taste great, my children and husband to be happy and have a little peaceful comfort knowing that Mom is one the job. Now everyday I try to think of a fun home based business I could start or something I can do to help with our families income (ideas are welcome). So to feel important and needed I have been making to do list everywhere and having a blast scratching off each task. So now I have this innate need to have goals throughout my day. It is almost as if I am playing a game. Goal walk 3 miles-reward shower while baby naps. Goal sort bills-reward is the Diet Soda in the fridge. You get the idea. So far in the past 38hours I have, sorted a stack of old bills, shredded, payed bills, payed more bills,balanced the checkbook three times, gone to the post office, gone to the bank, payed more bills, got groceries, went to the pharmacy, picked up tags for truck, got truck inspected, oil changed, went to football practice, took Hunter to the mall, cooked dinner, done three loads of laundry, put away clutter in living room, added more clutter to living room, done dishes, toted Bear to school, fed, fed, fed baby girl, changed a bunch of diapers, fed some more and now I want to reward myself with a bubble bath (Oh an I cleaned the bathrooms). Unfortunately, it is simply too late so I will go mark sleep off my list and dream for a while...sweet dreams

Black and White Weekend

2008-09-29T03:18:00.013-05:00

This will be a short post as the pictures are just too sweet to spoil with words. We had a great weekend. Hunter's team won their game, I got to spend time with my new friend, my Daddy turned 69, and Morgan was her usual happy self. She is so beautiful!

I loved taking pictures of the kids in black and white. Hunter looks so big and tough in uniform. He is such a handsome young man!!!

Things to Remember

2008-09-26T21:16:00.013-05:00

Thursday Morgan woke from an afternoon nap in her swing and cried helplessly wanting me to take her out. As I turned off the swing and opened the tray, she actually reached up for me! I was absolutely thrilled. Both chubby little hands lifted up for me to scoop her up and hug her. She has leaned toward Wes when she wanted him but never actually reached for anything on purpose. Friday night she actually got a little traction on her toes and had her bottom in the air scooting across her play mat. I love being here to see her discover everything her little body can do. I still giggle to myself and laugh with Mom about how her left hand seemed to have a mind of its own and would pull her right hand from her mouth, thus removing the thumb. She would be so mad looking around to see which of us did this to her. She would be screaming and there Wes was laughing until tears fell. Now her hands have apparently agreed to a peace treaty and she uses the left one to hold the other while sucking her thumb. I know I shouldn't, but I wish it were something she did every day so that I could get a better picture of it.

All the time Hunter does or says something funny or heart melting and I think, "Oh I could never forget this moment!" Well, apparently my mind can only hold so much (my heart is much bigger than my brain!) I want to write them here as I recall them so that I never forget and so that I can tease him later for being so darn cute.

Stars- When Hunter was four to six years old he would always look at at the night sky, see the lights of a plane and say "Mwommie, look at the star!" I would explain it was a plane and go on. So one night we walked out to see a beautiful sky full of stars and he declared, Mwommie look at all the planes!!!" I was smiling so big I had to scoop him up and hug him to keep from laughing and crying at the same time. I almost hated to tell him they were stars twinkling at him. We sang Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star the whole way home.
God made Texas-When he was four, his Dad and I took him on a trip to Ft. Davis to see Grandparents. He slept most of the way. At some point further west, he woke up, stretched his little arms up and saw what he considered desert and announced, "Look Mwommie, this is what it was before God made it Texas!" Here is a picture of us from that weekend.Well, I am exhaused, and need to go to bed. This is a post I will definitly be adding to though.

Oh Charleston...

2008-09-26T10:45:00.006-05:00

I miss Charleston the same way I would miss an old friend. Don't get me wrong, I am a full blooded Texas gal and love most things Texan (my husband being my favorite one!) There is just something mystical and charming about Charleston that always draws my heart and mind to the place I once called home. Let me try to paint you a picture of what my heart remembers. You drive in to Historic Downtown Charleston and your tires land on old brick paved streets lined with tall palmetto trees, enormous live oak and cypress trees dripping with Spanish moss. The trees are in the courtyards and the parks with families strolling along beneath them on their way to Waterfront Park. Here there is a covered pier over the marsh grass with rows of porch swings where couples sit and watch the birds and wildlife while the ocean water splashes into the reeds. Occasionally a dolphin or manatee will swim by and say hello and then be off again on a secret journey to who knows where. Behind them sit the majestic antebellum houses and historic store fronts. The grand rainbow colored homes are adorned with towering white columns or ornamental iron fences, window boxes overflowing with flowers and greenery, long covered porches with hanging ferns, swings, and rocking chairs, all gently rocking from the light breeze while hindering my view of the garden hidden behind the home. Market street is buzzing with people, tourist, locals, the women weaving grass baskets in the corners, fudge samples, and women in straw hats looking at purses, jewelry, and trinkets. A horse drawn carriage passes by while the driver tells the history of the buildings and cemeteries to his fare. You can smell the southern kitchens all around you. Herbs, seafood, wine, and fruit smells mix with that of the salt water and linger long into the humid evenings.... I could honestly sit for hours and write about what I remember about Charleston. I haven't even yet touched on the beaches, the swamps, or even how much I loved living on base. In my heart I am sitting there engulfed in her southern charm this very moment. I can't believe how vividly these memories of a place resonate in soul.

Cluttered

2008-09-25T02:33:00.002-05:00

Everything in my life feels cluttered right now and I do not like it....AT ALL. I feel like de-cluttering my home has become a daunting and exhausting task. My brain is so cluttered that now, at 2:30 a.m., is the only time I can unwind my gears and breathe a little. I thought I would make a

quick to do list while it is still all clear to me:

Call insurance company
Birth Announcements (is is even okay to send them out this late)
Clean out closets and drawers and GET RID of things that don't fit.
File, file, file
Shred, shred, shred
Fill out both kids baby books
organize photos and put in albums or boxes
find my missing jewelry
find Wes's missing cologne (he is crushed)
donate clothes

Fall is finally here!!!

2008-09-23T11:46:00.011-05:00

I love fall!!! I love when the seasons change and the warm earth tones come out all around me. When squash, zucchini, and pumpkins are everywhere at the store and farmer's markets. Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved collecting the beautiful gold, burnt orange, and red colored leaves. I love the smell of the air when it just barely starts to cool down. I love the way your face feels when you run around and play in the crisp fall air and your face feels warmed by your now flush cheeks. That is what makes raking leaves fun. There is nothing like a good old fashioned leaf fight or the fun we had raking them into piles just to jump in them. I am going to miss that this year. We don't have any trees big enough to need a rake in this house. Maybe when we buy a home of our own we will have some well established trees to give us shade in the summer and leaves to rake in the fall. In our old house I had hung the hammock between two big trees. I would lay there and watch the sun glow behind the leaves while the pretty butterflies danced around above me. It was magical. It made me miss the days of running around as a kid catching things like lightning bugs in a jar just to watch them closer. Football season is here and I am so excited to watch Hunter play each year knowing that it is finally about to cool down a little. Dear God, let it cool soon.

Happy Birthday Hunter Bear!

2008-09-21T13:39:00.001-05:00

Hunter, one day when your older you will look back and want to read this so I want to tell you what a gift you have been to me and some of the many things I love about you. You have a heart of gold. You truly want to help people less fortunate than us. You still care about others feelings. Your smile can light up a room and has been my driving force for a lot of years. Your prayers humble me and make me so proud to be your Mother. I love watching you play with younger children, it is you at your best. Soccer, baseball, football, in all of them you put to much pressure on yourself to be the best; the best is when you are out there enjoying playing and still being a kid. You will have to be a grown up one day soon, too soon, and you will wish you were a kid again and those days will be too far gone. Happy Birthday Hunter Bear. Be a kid for as long as you can. Play and laugh and run around crazy (even when I have to be a Mom and fuss at you to be careful) HAVE FUN! Your only a kid once.

Is it hot in here or is it just me???

2008-09-20T13:32:00.000-05:00

Oh my Lord, these hormones are no fun, not for anyone! I am hot, I am tired, I am hungry, I feel suffocated, and don't you dare pull out in front of me in traffic! With that said, when I look at the bigger picture, raging hormones are such a small price to pay for the beautiful baby girl we are blessed with. I look at her and everything else just melts away. Thank you Lord for all my beautiful blessings.

How the Cow ate the Cabbage...

2008-09-19T00:32:00.009-05:00

I will simply say, the cow is FAT! Those of you know me well will know exactly what I am talking about. Tonight was great. Hunter's football team had a float in the local homecoming parade and Morgan and I went to watch. First she took a nap. A deep sleep nap. That darling baby slept through the fire truck sirens, honking horns, and the marching band! She was just tuckered out. We ran into my cousin and visited with her a bit. While waiting to see her Bubba, Morgan decided to taste her toes! I can't believe I got a picture of a first during the act!!!! Eventually Hunter's float went by and he waved and we were ready to go. We had a great time with other teammates and their families at dinner. It is really neat to be able to get all the kids together to goof off and have a laid back dinner out with other parents.

Tiny toes and jammed fingers...

2008-09-16T23:54:00.013-05:00

What a week! I have been busy cleaning, sorting, rearranging, and just taking care of my children and home. We spent the weekend glued tot he TV watching Hurricane Ike destroy places we loved and praying for everyone we know on the coast. Hunter mowed, I re potted several plants, we painted patio furniture, Morgan's stars, cleaned out the garage, and his closet. On top of that, Hunter has football 5 nights a week and it is just exhausting me. Yesterday, I thought I would just drop him off and come home with Morgan to cook dinner so Hunter didn't have to eat terribly late. So there I was, happy to be cooking not one, but two meals (I was trying to plan ahead) and I get a THE call. You know the one you dread..."Hunter is taking quite a beating today, you might want to head up here, he just dislocated his fingers!" Like any other Mom I thought OMG my baby is hurt and I wanted to cry, but I can't because Morgan would cry and it would embarrass Hunter if I showed up with tears. So what did I do? I put on my Mommy face, grabbed the ice pack, a splint, a towel, the baby and headed out the door. Luckily they had reset them before I got there. Turns out he really did take a beating and that was his third injury in just an hours or so. He was okay and life was good again.

Morgan is is the move. She is scooting herself on the floor and in her crib...on her face! It is funny and sad all at the same time. She has found so many new things to amuse her this week. She loves to hold her toes, specifically her left big toe. She constantly has the leg in the air looking for it or holding it. She is also making all new noises. It is adorable. Hunter is convinced she is saying hi over and over. She will mimic sounds and pitches we make during her talking sessions. She also talks to herself in the mirror when we are driving. Hunter and I just parked and listened to her the other day with big grins across our faces and hearts.
As for the rest of my week, I need to finish the house for Hunter's birthday cookout this Saturday. Wes is flying in to surprise him. I can't believe my baby is going to be twelve...I am old and today I feel it!

A day with my Mom...

2008-09-10T21:03:00.005-05:00

I normally spend all day playing with and cooing with Morgan wishing that someone else were here to see all the adorable things she does. So I invited my mom to visit and she came to see Morgan and I today. We had a great time. No worries, no schedule, no rushing, and no make-up! On top of that, she arrived with goodies. I had mentioned I was out of shower gel and face lotion so she more than replenished my cabinets with samples and products she decided weren't right for her. We had a delicious lunch at Babe's in Old Town Burleson and got great craft and decoration ideas at some of the local antique shops. Mom even bought me a little turquoise terra cotta bird and a candle. They are so cute! Afterwards we came back and rearranged Morgan's nursery until Hunter got out of school. Once we had moved her stuff all around the room looked a lot better. We rewarded ourselves with a pedicure and fajita dinner for all of us! Morgan was adorable and babbled on and on for Mom. She seemed to enjoy drooling on Mom's shoulder while she rocked her. Watching her I vividly remembered her rocking Hunter the same way on my porch in Charleston. What a pleasant memory and what a great day!!!

1. Things to focus on -God's direction for us as a family.
2. Some of the things I want to make-signs, crosses, Hunter's jersey quilt, start scrapbooking, learn more about photography & photo shop programs, jewlrey and so many more things!!!

I Love My Husband

2008-09-08T14:28:00.001-05:00

I am sure your all rolling your eyes right now. But I needed to take a minute to reflect on just how he saved me and didn't even know it. I need to tell him that Hunter loves and respects him more than his macho, boys are never mushy, teenager mouth will ever say. I want to be sure that he knows that his precious daughter, Morgan, is even sweeter when she is safe in his arms. More importantly, I need to tell him every day how much I appreciate him, how hard he works, how much he loves me, how much he loves our children, and how he accepts me just as I am. I love you Wesley! Please hurry home safely to us. We miss you.

Home alone

2008-09-06T22:54:00.003-05:00

You would think that after a full day of go go go I would enjoy being home alone with a sleeping baby tonight but I miss my family! I want my husband here to hold me and talk to me. I want to know my son is safely in the other room where I can bother him whenever I wish. I know how he just loves that! It was a normal hot Texas September day and Morgan was so hot and tired I stripped her to her diaper right in the middle of Hunter's scrimmage. We went from ten o'clock football pictures, to a long scrimmage, to lunch, back home to change, and then to a team swim party at his coaches home, and I returned home at nearly ten tonight. That is a lot of running around for a baby (and a Mommy). She handled it with more smiles than I did! Now she is sound asleep in her crib. It is an odd feeling having strangers compliment her all day, but one that makes you so proud. Speaking of proud, Hunter impressed me today. His attitude in football has been terrible the past few days. He was just putting so much pressure on himself to be the best and then lashing out. I talked to him several times about this in the past and told him he needed to soak in a warm tub with Epsom's salt and think about the example he sets for the smaller kids. He did and went to his scrimmage today and apologized to the whole team. I didn't hear it but he told them that his knows his reaction is just as important as his actions. That's my boy!!!