Annabella Elizabeth is 1

A year ago today my sweet baby Annie was born. Again, my life was forever changed. Words can't explain how much joy comes from parenthood. It is one of those "you have to experience it to appreciate it" moments, and until you experience it you just won't appreciate it. I am so thankful God has blessed me not once, but three times with this experience. I enjoy each and every day with my kds. There are challenges, but we survive, and each day teaches me something about myself. I LOVE IT!
Today is sort of bittersweet. Knowing Annie is tentively my last child, I am soaking up every moment of her life as much as I can. This past year I have really focused on her every move. In doing this, I have been able to remember what it was like with all of the kids. Comparing their milestones, remember their stages...it's like reliving their baby stuff all over again. And call me crazy, but I miss mid-night feedings, 2am diaper changes, and being awake for days. Missing these things has made me realize how much I look forward to what is to come. With that being said...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNABELLA ELIZABETH!!! Check out her first year of life here:
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=e2f57a887032c4dbd04cc8&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Off the wagon

Well...I have kinda flown off of the fly lady wagon. I am not proud of myslef, but I knew I would. After all, routines are hard to form and keep up on. My plan....Get right back on it. My plan for Monday...ATTACK!!! So, with that being said...weekend then back to FLYing! I'll keep ya posted.

Routine Routine Routine

It's all about routine. Today is day 4 of the FLYlady program and I am still at it. So far I am keeping it up. YAY for me!!!! 

NEW ZONE BEGINS TODAY!!!
Zone 2: Kitchen
Zone work today is scrub stove top for 15 minutes. Take of the knobs and soak them to remove grease.

DAY 3 was:
- Do what we have already done.

-Getting up and dressing to lace up shoes
-Keeping your sink shining


Today's mission is:
- Getting Dressed to lace up shoes

- Keep sink shining
-Next thing is to write these things down on a sticky note and post them on your bathroom mirror and above your kitchen sink. This is the beginning of your Control Journal. The little notes help us to remember the habits we are trying to establish.

 I have completed my task for today, and am going to work on my zone work.

Fly Baby!!!!!!!!!

A friend of mine just told me about the greatest website ever. It is www.flylady.net and if you've never heard of it you are missing out on an awesome thing. For those of us (myself incuded) that have a hard time prioritizing and de-cluttering this website is the best. Today is day 2 for me, and I am hooked. She has simple rules and suggestions to follow as far as organizing, de-cluttering, and just plain ol' routines. Day 1 her tip was "make your sink shine" the babystep of simply getting into the habit of making your sink shine before bed sounds simple, but if you think about it, you have to have you dishes done before you can shine your sink. HA! Brilliant, the hidden message behind this is I have to do my dishes in order to make my sink shine, then the next morning I wake up to a clean sink. LOVE IT!!!! Day 2 "Get dressed from head to laces" first thing in the morning get up, showered, and dressed that way you are ready to start your day. It is small baby steps, but she adds something new everyday, and gives you time to do something fun. It is kind of like your own personal assistant. She also incorporates "zone cleaning" where she picks a zone of the house per week and you are to spend 15 minutes de-cluttering or working on it a day. BRILLIANT. For me, breaking house work into smaller chunks and building up slowly is so much better than looking at it as a BIG picture and getting overwhelmed. I highly suggest this website to those that have a hard time keeping daily chores organized. I am going to try to blog about my progress often (to hold me accountable). I don't know how many actually read this blog, but I hope this helps someone! Best of Luck, and GOD BLESS!


Day 1: Make Your Sink Shine




Zone 1: Kitchen




Zone 1: Entry Way




Family room

DAY 2: "Get Dressed from Head to Laces", keep that sink shined, and zone 1 work. DONE!!!! All before 10:00 am.

My Baby Boy is 7!

Seven years ago today I was blessed with motherhood, and the most handsomest baby boy ever! He is quite the character. He acts just like his Daddy (which isn't a bad thing). He is a very laid back, determined little guy, and "sharp as a tack." He has changed my life so much, and there is nothing on earth I would trade for him. He is my only son, and he makes me proud everyday! Happy Birthday big boy! Mommy loves you!



Caleb 3 weeks





Caleb 7 years

Ideas for alone time with the spouse...get your mind out of the gutter.

Ok...here lately, I have been neglecting myself, and my hubby for my role in Mommy-hood. Let me explain...Since becoming a mother, I have devoted ALOT of time to being Mommy. In fact, I can't remember what it is like to NOT be a mom. I have sort of lost myself to my kids. Don't get me wrong...I love my kids, and there isn't anything in the world that would make me ever regret the time I've had with them, but I have sort of lost myself and neglected time with the hubby for them.  Every evening after they go to bed, I just want to veg out and watch TV. Yes to some, that is a waste of time, but to me it is MY time to unwind, and not have to hear "can I have...,?" or "will you...? or "MOM.....he took my...", you get the idea. Well, until recently, I have failed to notice that none of my day included my hubby. Yes, very sad, but true. AND because he is so nice, he never complained. He's dropped subtle hints, but I would just shrug them off and go on about MY time. Well I realized that, I am not being fair to him by doing this. So I have been doing some thinking and digging online today, and found some cool things that we can do that just makes sense. So I have decide to share these with you, and hopefully those of you who may be in the same "funk" as me can get some use out of them. Most of these are done at home after the kids are asleep. (Don't go there, this is rated PG, so keep your mind out of the gutter.) Also, If there are any you'd like to share with me, that would be great, but please keep it clean, I'm not looking for that kind of advice. Thanks! So here they are...ENJOY!

1. Write “I LOVE YOU” backwards and tape it where it can be read in the mirror so it the first thing he sees in the mirror.



2. After the kids are in bed for the night, turn on some music, and dance.


3. After the kids are in bed, have a starlit, outdoor picnic of you favorite snack foods.


4. Cuddle while looking at wedding pictures and reminiscing about your wedding/honeymoon.


5. Put love notes in your spouse’s pocket/lunch when they are not looking.


6. Cuddle with each other under the stars.


7. Hide notes around the house (where you know they will find them) telling them how much you appreciate them.


8. Take a walk together.

9. Create a clue game for your spouse to play, with clues leading to prizes expressing your love for them (bonus being the prize at the end...YOU.)

10. After the kids are asleep, have an indoor picnic with dim lights and soft music.



11. Talk about the first time you met.


12. Talk about favorite memories.


13. Do Bible devotionals.




Yes these seem like no "no-brainers", but I liked them, and will be trying them. I love my husband very much and sometimes I take him for granted, he is God's gift to me, and I want to cherish him. I really want to improve so, I am going to break the Mommy role, and devote some time for him. I hope you all will do the same.

In the middle of my little mess...I forget how big I'm blessed.

There are many days that I feel overwhelmed, and every little thing that can go wrong...does. Well, I have found a song that speaks wonders when the little things in life go wrong. The song is "This Is The Stuff" by Francesca Batistelli. In case you weren't at church, I sang this song today as a special and it fit PJ's sermon very well (it is always an added bonus when God plans it that way.) Here are the lyrics:

This Is The Stuff :



I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone


This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use


45 in a 35
Sirens and fines while I'm running behind
Whoa


This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use


So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world


Oh Oh Oh


This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
And I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
Oh Oh Oh Oh


This is the stuff You use

Everyone has days like these, but just remember how big you're blessed!