Catching Breaths

We were waiting in line at the bank the other day and E asked, "Mommy, is it time for another Spring Break yet?" She had only been back in school 2 days from Spring Break. I said, "No baby. Your break just ended. Now we have to go back to school for a while."

She sat silently looking out the window and let out a big, adult-like sigh. "Man, I sure do need a break!"

haha..."What do you need a break from missy?"

"I just need to catch my breath. I think I need a Breath Break."

Multi-lingual Child of Mine

"Hey mommy! Say the word Chinese. No...like dis... 'Chi-neeez'."

"That's right mommy. Now you're speaking Spanish!"

She's a bit confused wouldn't ya say? But cute!

*******************

I have been so busy. We got a new laptop and I've been having trouble uploading pictures on it. I have so many pictures to share with you too. :/

I also decided spontaneously to redo E's room and it's looking beautiful! I've been deep into girly paint for 2 days and wouldn't have it any other way! Can't wait to share it with you.

*******************

I don't have any plans at this point to make this a coupon blog. But, as you see below, I've really enjoyed sharing some great stuff with you all. One thing I've been so busy on is learning the "art of couponing" and don't you laugh! There is truly an 'art' to this, if you want to do it right.

I have signed up to be a member at BeCentsAble and I encourage you, if you want to cut your budget even a little, check it out. I saw these ladies on GMA ~ video here. There are different levels that you can sign up for in the member area from free to $75. I joined at the $20 level and have 90 days to complete an online course...homework included...in order to become a "Centsable Shopper" with their tips and advice, which is incredible! I'm already blown away and have only completed 2 out of 9 lessons.

*******************

We are also getting ready to gear up for Easter. I need to do some 'centsable' shopping and go find our Easter outfits! Our church also does a huge egg hunt and starting this week, we will be stuffing 14,000 eggs for the big day! We actually have an egg-stuffing party coming up at church. How fun is that?! :)

Another reason I have, once again I know, been so scarce 'round here is that we have all been so sick back to back. It's been no fun at all! Anyone that has ever lived here in Georgia can attest to the crazy weather we have. Infact, on Feb. 28th, we had tornadoes come through here and do some major damage on some folk's homes...Then, the following day, we had a huge snow storm! Well, huge for us anyway. It snowed all day and you know it - half the city shuts down for 2 days. It is so funny...

So with that crazy weather comes horrible colds and it's nasty! Following that...comes the pollen, which like a little monster, creeps into your house right under your nose. You don't realize it until your child begins waking up for 2 and 3 hours during the night coughing her head off - repeatedly! Everyone seems to be complaining with sore throats here and there and coughing and yucky nose stuff and I just wonder if the pollen may be worse than normal right off the bat.

Oh the joy of Spring! I can deal with it though because with that exception, I love Spring and Fall! Today is the first day too! :)

I have some major cleaning to get done today so that we can get out and enjoy a fun weekend as a family.

So if you are still here after all of my rambling, have a wonderful weekend and Happy Spring!

Monday Musings

Oh this youngen is too cute for words!

Her grandparents got her this new Wiggles "cuh-tar" while out shopping this weekend. She loves it! So, I walked into the den this morning to find her sitting on the coffee table, legs crossed like a little lady, just like this. Just jammin' away!

This evening, (and I wish I had a picture of this) she came out of her room with a ball cap on and started - what appeared to be break-dancing - and started saying "Criss-Cross Applesauce!"

They make up the cutest things!

Politics and Healing

So after we got home from church tonight, I asked E what her lesson was about in Rainbows...her Wednesday night class.

She said with very much excitement, "Ah!! A man got healed. Jesus heal him."

I said, "Really? Why did he do that?"

"Because Jesus is sweet." "Hey, you sweet too mommy."

"But, what was wrong with the man?"

"Um, he was the pwesident."

Enough said there.

Alphabet Soup

My child knows her alphabet. She has for a long time now. But, as most kids do for the letters L-P...

Well, she made the cutest "Alphabet Soup" with um...that.

A B C D E F G H I J K "and a little P" Q R S T U B W S Y and Z.

HA - You SO know you just sang that whole song out when you read that didn't you? Huh...DIDN'T YOU? :c)

Is that what she truly thinks it says? Each week at school, they are learning new letters of course. Like today she learned the letter "H" and tomorrow all the kids are wearing cool hats all day at school. You know...H for Hat...oh I'm sure you got it - sorry.

What will happen in a few weeks when they reach the letter "and a little P"?

I guess we've all had it wrong for a very long time.

I love to hear your comments! It lets me know you're reading!

...But words will never hurt me (Sticks & Stones)

I don't even remember the situation, but at some point earlier in the week, something I said upset E. Well, let's put it this way: No 3 year old enjoys being told "no"...non-stop. :c)

So, she thought she'd get back at me and here's what she came up with in about 1.5 seconds.

She cussed me out. NO ~ not really! But, she said,...

"Mommy, you a Catapiwer. You a Doggie. You a Spider! Hum!" Then, crossed her arms and stomped out.

Oh the things they say. She thought she had said something big too! Almost like she was proud of coming up with that on her own.

I could barely control my laughter!

It's Happening

In every young woman's life, there comes a point where ~~~ she becomes ~~~ her mother!

Yesterday morning, we were getting ready to leave the house and she asked for something. When I told her no, she mumbled, "It juss not fayer!" (Where did she learn this?)

I'm telling you - before I could even think about a response, it came out..."Well, life's not always fair!"

I always said I'd never say that to my children. My mother assured me I would.

She was right.

I always said I'd never use the powerful "mama spit" on E's face too. My mother assured me I would.

She was right. That mama spit works wonders!

Someday when E doesn't feel good, she will tell me something hurts and I will probably respond with, "Ah it's just a growing pain. You'll be fine."

That would be from my grandmother. When she has pain, she has pain. But when you do, it's only a growing pain.

Yep - I grew alright. Right straight into my mother. It was inevitable. :c)

Tuesday Talk

Lastnight, E was in the bathtub and all out of the blue, she starts singing "Me & Mrs. Jones."

I am a HUGE Michael Buble fan and have all of his cd's...but, it's been quite a while since she's heard that song. It's amazing how things just pop into their little heads.

"Me & Mrs. Jones"...am I a great example of a mother or what? hahaha

************

We were driving down the road in the afternoon and I was rushing to get her home in time for a nap. It was already getting late so she started falling asleep about halfway home. I turned the music off and started being really loud to keep her awake. I told her she had to stay awake until we got home.

In tears, "I weally wanna nap mommy!" She was getting aggravated with me somethin' awful.

So, I kept getting louder and louder and telling her to wake up and she yelled at me with all her might, "Mommy, I'm only asleep with my one eye!!"

Needless to say, we made it home and she slept like a baby.

Work Ethics

E: "Gib me shugars mommy. I goin' to work now."

Me: "Okay baby. Have a great day. I love you."

E: "I got get my work hat on."

Me: "So where is it that you work again? What is it called?"

E: "Uuuummmm. It called Liberty Heart."

Me: "What kind of job is it? What kind of work do you do there?"

E: "It over toy-ees." "I gonna be late. Gotta go." "Awwh - day cosed now."

Me: "Oh no E! You missed work today? Do you think they are gonna fire you for not coming in?"

E: (very strange look as she tries to figure out what fire has to do with this conversation.) "Nah cuz' I juss don't feel like gowin'. I seepy today."

This is when her daddy interupts with a great big laugh...at which point I'm sure he's thinking he wishes his job were like the jobs at Liberty Heart. You know - where they are over 'toy-ees'.

Weekend Rundown...or Run Over

1. Woke up very early to beat everyone else in town to the local Honda dealer. Not like it is that much of a popular place, but the car we wanted is extremely limited.

2. Fought tooth and nail for the deal we felt we deserved. They felt otherwise, but...I W.O.N. and that is all that matters. (smile)

3. E fell and got her worst boo-boo yet on the "chalk-walk" - better known to you and I as the sidewalk.

4. In reference to #3, we discovered that we have a little drama queen and were amazed that at 3 years old, they already know how to "milk" things. "Carry me. I can't walk."

5. Mid-afternoon movie of "The Rat Movie" ~ "Alvin & the Chipmunks" was too hard for E to remember. She just knew they looked like rats.

6. Dinner with some friends, then strawberry cheesecake, followed by a Botox Song ~ Don't Ask!

7. Late-night visit from Johnny Ringo, Doc Holiday & Wyatt Earp. Hmmm

8. Sunday morning - great worship & much needed. Dynamic message on kindness - ha! - much needed. Maybe I should have heard that message before tackling #2 you think?

9. 2 hour Sunday nap, followed up by a quick visit from family.

10. Last thing on the "rundown" was a goodbye...farewell...to some of the best friends anybody could ask for. Hoping for a happier ending to next weekend.

But Oh! Did I mention we got a new car? :c)

Toddler Talk

This is going to be a hodge podge of stuff, but I just have to share some of the latest things from E's mouth.

**************************************************

A couple of her newest words are "eider" (either) and "instead" - used at the most appropriate times. "I think I like dis one instead." or "I don't want eider one of doze."

Tonight, we were on the way to the mall to make an exchange and she was so excited to be going to "Jason's Pennies"...better known as "JC Penneys" to most.

And you can tell we shop way too much. She loves to conversate about going to AC Moore, Sears, Old Navy"s", Target"s" or Wal-"Motts". Just don't try and get her to say Bed, Bath & Beyond yet. That's almost too many B's for me.

She has had a tummy bug this week and the doctor's office said to keep her on a clear liquid diet and give her Gatorade, which she affectionately calls her "Alligator" drink.

As I am typing this, she is laying in bed fighting sleep and making silly, off-the-wall comments, such as, "You bwakin' my heart man. You know what I mean?" What in the world...Where did this come from?

...This is another that I just heard. I am sitting here in silence hoping she is falling asleep and out comes, "Hey, you betta be kiyet mommy. I twyin' to take a nap." "OOOOH! Man, I just bit my tum (tongue) again."

Last week, there was a preacher on t.v. and she was watching it while I was in the kitchen cooking dinner. I came around the corner and she had her hands raised, eyes closed and was pacing the floor saying, "Yes God. Holy Spiwitt. Yes God. Holy Spiwitt." J.R., our dog, got under her and she pushed him and said, "Go on Jee-ahr, I twyin' to pway heeah." Then, she looked up and said, "Uh mommy - Why you watchin' me?"

It's amazing how much they listen to the way we talk and word things.

She has decided that she likes to call us by name, but mostly me. "Miss Stacey" usually. Or - as if she is a teenager - "Mo-omm!!"...2 syllables.

I could go on and on since we are talking about my favorite subject. But, I'll save some stuff for a future post even though she gives us new material each hour it seems.

I tell you: Having an almost 3 year old around keeps you on your toes about what you watch, what you say, what attitude you choose to have, etc. They watch your every move. I mean, who else would they learn to emulate?

Oh Lord, help me do this thing right.

Loving Chatter

We finished brushing E's teeth this morning and fixing her hair and she grabbed me, layed her head on my shoulder and said,

"Mommy, you my hewo."

I thanked her and then asked her if she knew what that meant and she said, "Well, um, you my heawt (heart)."

She has no idea what a hero is yet, but I'm glad to know I'm hers. :o)

Rewards and Challenges

I gotta get my questions answered huh? Thanks to those of you who asked these great questions. If you'd still like to ask me a question - any question - please feel free to still do so.


I will try and make these as short as possible so that you don't give up on me and move along.


Anonymous asked: "So far, what has been your most rewarding experience in raising E?"

Well, the rewards of raising a child are certainly too many to count & she is not even 3 yet. I can't imagine how it will be to look back on her life when she is grown and married and raising children of her own.

Right now, the one that stands out to me by far is watching her grow to know the Lord. "What do you mean? She is only 2?" You would be amazed how much she already knows about her Heavenly Father at her young age. Does she understand it? I'm sure not. But, she knows that He hears her prayers, cares for her and lives in her heart. It is so rewarding watching her learn the power of prayer and learning to talk to Jesus, as her best friend. No memorized prayers to be recited, no same ole', same ole'. But, that she can just talk to Him...when she is scared, when she feels bad or when one of us is sick. She knows she doesn't even need anything in order to talk to Him. All she has to do is talk.

She has been dealing with a head cold for a few days and right in the middle of the grocery store isle last week, she said, "Mommy, I weally don't feel good. Can you pway for me now?" I could have easily said a prayer under my breath and still been heard by the Lord, but I know that what will stand out in her memory in years to come is that her mother stopped what she was doing to lay hands on her and pray for her. Did I do it for attention? Not at all. There were people around, but I am not even sure they saw. But, I am not ashamed. These times can also be used as a witness of my faith and what my 2 year old knows about prayer to others around.

So, at this point, I feel like the biggest reward is knowing that we are raising her right in the light of eternity. To love the Lord. Serve Him. Talk to Him. Know Him. Feel Him. Touch Him and be touched by Him. If we strive to do this everyday, we will be rewarded with children that spend eternity in heaven with us.

~~~~~~~~~~

D (Donya, is this you?) asked: "As a stay at home mom, what are some of the major challenges you face? What would you change?"

Being a stay at home mom is the "job" I've always wanted to have. It is wonderful, but so challenging. I know a lot of folks that work a full-time job will totally laugh at this and think I am insane. But, bear with me.

Being a "stay at home mom" would actually imply that we stay at home during the day, which we don't. I thought I'd have devotions done, breakfast ready, candles lit, house cleaned, play time with E, books that I've been wanting to read - read, and then dinner on the table when hubby walked in. I dreamed of putting June Cleaver to shame. I would be Beaver's worst nightmare of a mom!

E and I take care of my grandmother 4 days a week in the mornings. So, my day as a "SAHM" doesn't officially begin until early afternoon. In the meantime, I have a candle business that I work from home, which is a blast and I love!

So add a 2 1/2 year old to the mix - with an 81 year old grandmother - breakfast that is at times (I hate to say..."almost forgotten") when E sleeps in - a strewn house - unread books that keep stacking up - and dinner...can you say "Kelloggs?"

Candles lit and playtime with E - got it covered!!!! Oh and yes, I do get a bath - EVERYday!

All of this to say - sometimes I think I'm just flat out underqualified for my "JOB" as a stay at home mommy & work at home mommy. But, nobody said things have to be perfect. These are only challenges if I make them that way. Some women have it all together - and then energy to spare. Lord knows, I will never be one of those women. That is okay.

Thankfully, I was blessed with a husband that is not demanding about his dinner being ready when he walks in the door or his house being spotless. Child fed, played with, naptime done, fed, cleaned and off to bed. He could care less about our schedules during the day. That is great - because all he wants to know is if we had a good day and if I took care of her and loved her. After all, isn't that why I'm home anyway?

What would I change? Hmm...I need a maid (don't we all?) to match up our clean socks and put 'em in their places. I can do laundry all day, but I.don't.wanna put it up. Uggh. I need a chef to cook the Steak & Potatoes that my husband deserves whenever he pleases. I need a speed-reader that will attach their eyes to the back of my head so I can read while I am working and playing and feeding and bathing. That way, all those books I'd like to have under my belt will be.

But, I'd settle for my not-so-perfect days in a heartbeat!

My Perfect Day

So, here is the answer to the first question I received. I'll answer in the order that I received them in.

Tarrah @ My Blue Eyed Babies asked - "What would the perfect day out... with your hubby look like? With your children look like? With your girlfriends look like?"

Well, this one actually is not all that easy for me...in some ways anyway.

See, my hubby works so many hours that we rarely get anytime "out" with him so really any day out with him is a perfect day for me.

It also really depends on what mood I am in. When it comes to time with Kevin, some days I wish he were home with me so that we could just laze around on the couch and watch movies and eat cookies all day long. Other days, I would love nothing more than to get up early and go to breakfast (sit down breakfast), go shopping together, come home take an afternoon nap (and anyone that knows him knows that the napping would be the best part of the day for him (wink)), go out for dinner and a movie and then for some ice cream or coffee after. I love that feeling I get with I'm "out" with him...even after almost 8 years of marriage...that feeling of being so proud to have him with me - by my side. You know when you are dating? You want to run into people so that they can see your hot date? Cuz you are proud? Yup...I still feel that way.

~~~~~~~~~~

When it comes to a day out with my girl, E - anyday that she is happy and not whiny is a perfect day for me. I love getting up early some mornings with her and going to get breakfast (food again I know) and then taking her to a local bookstore to play in the toy section. That is a good day for me. She knows she gets to go there or a toy store as a privilege for being good. Whether it lasts, well that is another story.

When she has been good, it thrills me to get to reward her with a treat. Sometimes it consists of going to her favorite place to play, going to the park, getting ice cream, visiting with a friend. It is these days that get you through the "other" days.

~~~~~~~~~~

And my girlfriends - It depends on who those girlfriends are. There are those that I enjoy grabbing a cup of coffee with...morning, noon or night...and talking about everything from A-Z...or talk about nothing but "apples and bananas" haha. There are those that I love to shop with, or should I say try to keep up with their shopping, or pray with or play games with. And those also that I can run boring errands with or sit and flip the channels with while we complain about nothing being on...and still it's fun. I write this with a few particular gals in mind. But, there are lots of girlfriends in my life that are a joy to be around and are all true gifts from God.

Any time spent with each of them is a great day for me. I tried to find a good quote on spending time with your girlfriends and couldn't. But, the fact is that sometimes you go through things and face times when all you need is a good dose of your girlfriends to get you on your way.

So, obviously you can see that I am a simple girl. I don't need to do anything special to enjoy the "perfect" day with my husband, daughter or buds. As long as they are here to enjoy, I just want to make every minute count.

Until the next question is answered...have a great day!

And if you have a question for me, go here to ask anything you want.

Let's Talk Folks!

I am stealing this idea from someone else's blog...who stole it from someone else's blog. But, it sounds like fun to me.

It is not always easy-peasy to come up with stuff to talk about on here. And I wanna mix it up a bit.

So, this is a neat idea and a chance for any of you readers...whether you know me or not...to ask me anything you want. Anything at all. You can ask me deep questions or silly stuff. You may think you know me good enough, but I could surprise you! (smile)

Of course, depending on the question, I have the choice of not answering. But, I am confident that I would want to answer them all. Please pass along the link so that others can ask too.

Just leave your questions in the comment section of my post. Then, I will be quick to post my answers.

And, if you have a blog, please be sure and leave a link to it so that I can ask you a question too.

Oh goodness...why do I feel nervous? Ask away!

How silly am I gonna feel if I don't get any questions...?!

Precious Moments

First of all, driving down the road this week, we were listening to Veggie Tales songs and they mentioned God. We talk so much about Jesus that I wondered if she would know who God is or how she would describe Him.

I asked her, "E, do you know who God is?"

She concentrated and paused for a moment while she thought.

Then, she said, "Yes, God is...Um God is...He is da whole world." Later on, I asked her again and she replied, "God is my fwend and He is da King!"

...let me tie this in now...


After all of the praying that goes on at our house, E has picked up really quickly on it. She knows how to pray. I don't mean just the "God, Our Father" prayer either. She has a few different prayers. She does pray the aforementioned prayer when it is time to eat. But, at bedtime or when she is praying for someone that is sick...or when she gets hurt, she automatically knows to pray for her boo-boo's (after we kiss 'em first, of course.)

In fact, my friend, Amber, called the other day and said that her 6 month old was sick for the first time. I put E on the phone with her and she prayed - all by herself - for her to be healed and told Jesus that we "gib you all da pwaise and all da glowy."

When I was putting E to bed lastnight, I told her it was time to say her prayers. Some nights, we say them and she repeats and some nights she says them and we repeat as she leads. I told her that I wanted her to pray this time.

"Lord Jesus, tank You for da bewwy (very) God. Oh and (spotting a spot on my finger) heal mommy's boo-boo Fader God. In Jesus' name, Amen."

(pressing on the boo-boo on my finger) "Mommy, do dat hurt? Can you feel dis?"

"Yes I feel it. Don't hurt my boo-boo E!"

"Oh God, gib mommy peace and pwotect her boo-boo. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Then, after I quit laughing, she moved onto a "real" prayer. Why would I even say "real" like that? Any prayer she prays, gets the attention of her "Fader God!" He listens. And He answers.

I love - I cannot tell you how much I love the fact that my 2 year old prays for peace over her family and friends when they are sick. It's amazing that she knows that Jesus is her Father God and that He is King and that He is "da whole world." That's right! What better way is there to explain Him? We can't. He is the whold world! He just simply..."IS."

So, I share this with you as an encouragement to pray out loud in front of your children. They listen to how you speak your Best Friend, Jesus. They will learn that there is no right or wrong way to do so - as long as you do it. Most importantly, they will learn to call on His Name!

These are such precious moments! God bless!

Missin' You

Every day when E wakes up, either in the morning or from her nap, she does one of two things:

a) Immediately starts singing and talking and saying all sorts of cute stuff
OR
b) Immediately starts whining and screaming and saying all sorts of not-so-cute stuff

I can usually tell what kind of morning or afternoon we are going to have by the way she wakes up. The first whine gets me saying, "uh oh" and the praying begins.

This weekend, E was waking up from her nap and started singing "Je-dus Love Me" & "Go Tell on Mountin" and I just decided to sit back and listen. Her sweet songs turned into, "Mommy, can you come get me out?" "Mommy, I need get out my bed." "Mommy, puhwease!"

The sweet "puhwease" did it so I started making my way to her room and when I get to the hall, she says, (I am not exaggerating by the way...it was just like this)...

...are you ready?

"Oh mommy, I miss you so bad I don't know what to do."

Yup, it worked, I couldn't get in there fast enough.

Chuck E. Cheese = THE Bank

“Mommy, where is daddy?”
“He’s gone to work to make some money.”
“For me?”
“Yes.”
“He makin’ a quorta (quarter), penny & necklace (nickel)?” (I love this!)
“He sure is.”
“I gonna take it to Chuck E. Cheese.”

Now, every time she sees any money lying around, she puts it in her pocket. I say, “Don’t we need to put that in the bank?”
“Yeah, we need to put it in Chuck E. Cheese.” I guess that is all the bank they know at this age.

Talking Two's

I always said I would never claim the "terrible two's" and label my child with that.

I have to admit that I have slipped up a couple of times with "t t" and I immediately fuss at myself in my mind for doing it. Someone will ask me how old she is and I will answer, "She's two - and every bit of it!"

But, excuse me...that isn't even what this post is about. I just wanted to discuss the "Talking Two's" instead. This is such a neat age in so many ways because of how much their vocabulary is growing.

I have to make note of several things she says that are just precious so that I don't forget. So, I thought I would try and list them 10 at a time, in no particular order.

1. "I want to wide the alligator." (elevator)

2. "Atchooally (actually) I think I need to."

3. "Let's hit da woad Jack." (when we are about to leave)

4. "My house is booootiful. Mommy, what you do to it?" (after we decorated for Christmas)

5. "I not a girl! I a LADY!"

6. Where does Jesus live E? "In my heart." Where do you live E? "In my Georgia."

7. E, are you ready to go? "I got eat my bwekfass first." (breakfast)

8. "Give so&so a hug." "No mommy, I alweddy gib dem hugs. I did!"

9. She is beginning to have a say-so in what she wears and wants to pick out her shoes and outfits. The other day, her shoes didn't match her outfit so she put them on, went to the mirror and looked and said, "Oh mommy - dey fine! I wear dem tonight k?"

10. Lastnight, she was spinning around in circles saying, "I makin' myself dizzy." She stopped and looked up and said, "Whoa! Daddy, what's da house doin'?"

"Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 19:14

How Sweet

It is so funny how children learn to try one thing after another to get out of going to bed.

Each night, it seems like it is something new:

"I want some juice!" "Cover me uuup pwease!" "I NOT seepy!"

Tonight, I heard all of the above and decided to just ignore her to see if she would fall asleep. She got really quiet and I was so proud of her for giving in to her sleepy eyes and going nite-nite. Oh, I guess it was about 30 minutes after the silence, she burst into a very loud...

"Mommy, I stinky-in!" (as in right now) She knew I'd come running for that one. (lil' stinker, pun intended.) I came in and checked her...nope...nothing...just a big FAT L.I.E.! (smile)

She says, "Mommy, can I pwease hab a hug?" So, I hugged her...not once, not twice, but 3 times after she kept asking for "anowa hug."

So, my precious girl lays down and cuts her eyes up at me and says, "Mommy, you my bes fwiend!"

How can I ask for anything more?