"What if...?"

Sometimes I ask myself "What if...?" Let me specify...As a child I was not raised in a Christian environment. My mom was a single parent who worked very hard to get what little we had. She believes in Christ, but hasn't been involved in church for years. There are so many obstacles to overcome while being an only child with a single parent, and not in church. I know God had his eye on me, and had a plan for me. I was ALWAYS a good kid. I NEVER partied, drank, or even smoked. I won't say that I was never tempted because then I'd be lying, but I just never fell in to that type of thing. Most of my friends were the same way. We just never had the desire to do any of that. I now know, that God had put them in my life for a reason. I had always been niterested in church, but never found the one I felt led to...that is when God put someone in my life that went to First Church of God. She later fell out of church and moved away, but I am thankful for the time that God used her to get me in church.  I was 15 and little did I know that going to THAT church THAT one time would forever change my life. From that day on I went everytime the doors were open, no matter what it was, I was there. I loved it. I was on the praise team and in the youth. I even met the love of my life there. To this day I wonder "what if" I had not gone to that church that day. There are so many things that I imagine and none of them are as good as what I have now. Although I have moved away from that small church, I am still very involved in my current church. I am on the praise team full time, nursery coordinator, in a fabulous small group, and married to the guy I met in that small church in Holdenville, Oklahoma. I also have three beautiful, healthy children, and am working on my passion of becoming a special educator.  Now tell me God wasn't involved in all of this. I believe that God has a plan for all of us. We have to be the one willing to listen and change for him, and even though I do sometimes wonder "what if..." I am so thankful that I am, what I am, by the grace of God. So, ask yourself "What if...?" That simple little question will make you stop and realize how blessed you are.

Scouting for Deals

I am all about a good bargain. I LOVE second-hand shops, consignment stores, and garage sales. CLEARANCE racks are my favorite! It is kind of an addiction for me to find the best deals on stuff. I'm not much of a couponer; though I have been known to use a few now and then, but I do love to rummage through gently used things. Especially kid things. Kids grow out of or play through clothes so fast that I find it hard to spend a fortune on clothes when I can find great deals on clearance. I am a "season ahead" shopper. I like to buy things a year in advance on clearance and put them away for next year. ANYWAY...today is what I consider the ULTIMATE success in second-hand shopping. Caleb is joining boyscouts and although the club isn't that expensive overall, the uniforms are quite pricey so I've been asking around to see if anyone had one we could use. No such luck! Well for some reason I got the itch to get out of the house today. So, where else would I go, but to our local consignment shop. (Added bonus: I have an account there and my balance going in was $11.15). YAY...Money to spend!!! As I was looking I really wasn't finding much so I decided it was time to go, but glanced back over at the boy's section one more time only to find in plain sight a brand spankin' new official cubscout shirt, tags still on perfect size for Caleb. It was like it was meant to be. Now, these shirts go for $21.99 on the boyscout website, I paid...wait for it... a whoppin' $6.50!!! WOOT WOOT!!!! AND it was out of my account so it was like free money. So this, my friends was my deal of the day (and possibly the year!!!) SCORE!!! Now off to find the wolf neckerchief, patches, and cap...

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