Chapters of Life

Before:

Would you say someone was happy for her first day of school? This picture says it all.

She couldn't wait. Me? I felt like it was my first day of school. I was a ball of nerves - stomach in knots, nervous energy, feeling like I was going to wet my pants.

The day had arrived. She was there and I was here...feeling as I feared...lost without her around. Yes, it's only 3 hours a day and to most of you reading, I must sound ridiculous. But, it's not the time she's gone. It is the fact that she was gone - to her first day of school.

I was one emotional mama the night before as she played in the tub. The realization that it was my last full day of her being home with me; the last day of a very long, yet wonderful chapter. Yes, we've closed and opened mini chapters with her through the years, but this is a big one.

It is only the first of many big ones though. In two years, we close the preschool chapter and then comes that bad word...kindergarten. Then will come middle school, high school and even college.

Of course there are other chapters like now...the thought of boys and boyfriends mean nothing to her. Right now, her daddy and granddaddy are the only "boys" that make her "heart go up" as I used to say when I was little. But, the time will certainly come when she is boy crazy and then someday...that one boy will steal her heart away and carry our little girl off to be his wife.

So, chapters open and close & come and go. They are hard to face at times. Other times they are just extremely exciting. But they are what our lives are made of.

And all that talk about somebody carrying my baby girl off to be his wife?...Well, I think I'd rather stick with dropping her off at preschool for now. You know ~ while she's still happy to see her mommy at the end of the day.

***

After:

*** The day was a success. She did great! I held it together pretty well too I think. This was her sound asleep...all tuckered out after a long day at s.c.h.o.o.l. ***

Mediterranean Spa

Wouldn't you just love a trip to the spa right about now? I don't know about you, but it is H-O-T...hot here in Georgia. It is so draining and honestly, going to the pool doesn't even sound enticing lately - cuz you know - the pool is outside.

But, oh to have "a day at the spa" - which I've never had, by the way. Yes, I've had numerous massages and they are wonderful. But, you hear these ladies talk about a "day" - a whole day?! at the spa. Wonder how much that costs!!

Babble babble I know... So, if you are like me and don't have enough cash or time for that, you can just light our brand new scent and at least pretend you are there right?

Because oh it smells like it really. It is very fresh and such an inviting scent.

Here is the description:

"Mediterranean Spa effortlessly creates a relaxing spa environment. Sit back and enjoy a mini vacation on a Greek Island or the French countryside when you burn this wonderful candle."

If you would like to try this scent or any other of our products, please visit my online store here or contact me directly.

As always, you can check out our exciting business opportunity here.

Have a great Friday!

It's Almost Here

It was inevitable...the first day of preschool. I knew it was coming, but how did it get here so quickly?

One week from tomorrow, my sweet baby will approach the front doors of her brand new school. Her little bookbag over her shoulders and her little hand wrapped tightly around my fingers...I will hand her over to the care of someone...other than myself...people that I trust, but neverthelesssss - someone/anyone that isn't me.

This will be the start of a whole new world of learning. A week full of lessons that mommy wouldn't be good at teaching - that patience thing you know? Thank God for teachers!

I don't know what she'll do. I'm sure she'll cry and without a doubt - yes, I certainly will. I will be determined to fight the tears until I've reached the parking lot again. But, my mornings will be so different.

I am afraid that as I pull away, I will feel so lost. So scared. So excited. So relieved for a little "me time" yet so anxious for the pick up time to roll around.

I have a whole week now to dread and look forward to this all at the same time.

...And people - this is only pre-school! What will I do on the first day of kindergarten?

Oh and did I mention it's only for 3 hours a day?

We have a cutsie frame winner!!

...and the winner is...

Allie from The Pink Potpourri. I am so excited to make a frame for you!

What a cool blog she has too, so head on over and check it out!!

If you like the frames below, please head on over to our etsy shop, Emmarella's, to see what other cutsie stuff we have. We would be honored to make something just for you or your sweetie pies.

In fact, if you place an order through etsy and mention this blog post, I'll throw in something extra special.

Have a FAB weekend everyone!!

Summer Bloggy Giveaway!!

Handmade Frame

A friend and I are actually in the planning stages of starting a side business...so what a great opportunity this is to try one of our handmade items out on YOU!

The giveaway is for a frame similar to the one's below...you customize it yourself. If your name is chosen, just tell me what colors/animal/theme/name you would like on it and if it is possible, I will be happy to make it just as you want it!

Please know that this does not have to be a children's frame. I can do different themes, beach or Christmas, for example, or possibly something that would fit the decor in your home.

The giveaway will be open until Friday afternoon and a winner will be announced shortly thereafter. You must be a resident of the U.S. to enter, but you do not have to be a blogger!!
* Please leave a comment with your name and a way to reach you. If you do not have a blog, please please make sure you leave an email address!* I would appreciate you commenting on which of these is your favorite or what theme you would most like.

For more giveaways, go here.

To view more of what will be sold in our online store, please go here. This is not our actual "store" - we are only using this to get our products online right now. Feel free to contact us about a custom order or suggestion!

Thanks for entering!

She'll Never Doubt

We were flipping channels one night this week and happened to stop on SuperNanny. That's a great show, but we don't watch it often because if E is still awake, we won't let her watch how horribly those kids act. That's the last thing we need is for her to get any "bright" ideas!!

We watched for a few minutes and as you see in a lot of those shows, it isn't the kids who are the problem...it's the stinkin' parents!! Some of these parents are just unbelievable don't you think?! Not always now...some of the parents have just bitten off more than they can chew and simply need help. But some need straight up intervention...better known as Jesus! :c)

This mother in particular this week had 5 or 6 kids. I believe it was 1 boy and 4 or 5 girls. (ahhhhhh, poor lil' boy) The mom showed no emotion and was so negative the entire time we watched. Her and SuperNanny got into it because SuperNanny wasn't seeming to get through to her. She was having to talk the mother into loving on her children and talking nice to them. All those kids had been used to was anger and yelling, from the mom.

Towards the end of the show, SuperNanny (SN) walked the mom into her oldest daughter's room, which was 12, and had her suggest that they go bowling, just her and her daughter. The girl was so excited because with that many siblings, she never got any one-on-one time with either parent. The mother was about to walk out and SN stopped her and told her she needed to hug her daughter.

**wait a minute!** I said to my husband, "What kind of mother needs to be told or even encouraged to hug her child. That is what mommies do! We love our children. A Mother's Love...

So she followed "orders" and hugged her daughter and at first it was so awkward watching - as if they didn't know what to do. Then, the mother teared up and the daughter did too. The little girl said, "I can't remember the last time my mom hugged me."

A simple hug from a mother - or father. It doesn't take long to do, yet it can carry you through a whole day or make you forget about the biggest of problems in your life. It makes you better when you are sick; happy when you are sad; uncomplicates things in a complicated day. Yet how many toddlers, kids, teenagers or even adults ever go without it?!

That saddens me.

I feel like E sometimes gets sick of my hugs and kisses and constant "I love you's" because she gets them from the time she wakes up until bedtime that night. Then, after she is sleeping sound, I sometimes go in to watch her sleep as I play with her hair...loving her.

I don't say that for any praise or attention. I am only determined to never get so wrapped up in the day-to-day stresses of life that I fail, for even one day, to remind my kids of the reassurance of their mother's love.

Happy Anniversary My Love

Today, I celebrate 8 years of marriage to the most amazing man my life could have been blessed with.

Kevin, I am so thankful for your love, your friendship and the wonderful husband and father that you are. Mostly, I thank you for being the God-fearing man and spiritual head of our house that you are, which makes you everything else.


You have always stated the importance of: God first; Family second; and all others will follow. Our marriage and companionship is what it is today because your relationship with Christ takes precedence over all else and in making Him your priority, He makes you the man you need to be for us. Thank you for that. Thank you for loving your family enough to make us "second" on the list.

This road of marriage has certainly not always been easy. In the last 8 years, we have seen some very tough times...times that without the hand of our Heavenly Father guiding us, we'd have not found the way through it. But, we held on tight and stuck together and here we are.

I am confident in the love we have for each other now. I have seen our love move mountains and crash through obstacles that have been in our way and it is as strong as it is today because of the things the Lord allowed us to face. Thank you for giving me a love worth fighting for.

I appreciate all the easy-to-love things about you, as well the little things that drive me nuts...the way you rub your feet together every night in order to fall asleep. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am so excited to know that however much time we have left to spend on this earth, you are stuck with me and I am stuck with you. What joy that puts in my heart.


I love you "tooky" ~ forever and always.