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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

I'm Itchin

19 days remain until my very first cruise y'all! Don't worry though...nobody's counting.

No really - I've been excited, but now that we've passed the 3 week point, oh my goodness I can hardly wait!

I'm working out ~ HA! ~ which is weird for my lil' fingers to even type. I am going to join the tanning bed this week for one purpose and that is so my skin isn't thrown into crazy shock from the sun. I don't tan. I am white! "Casper ain't got nuttin' on me."

aNyWaY though ~ I'm eXcItEd. I can't wait to do things that I may not get to do again. Swim with Flipper...maybe even get a smooch from him, snorkel with Nemo, ride down the beach on a bareback Mr. Ed, oh and possibly chill somewhere with Jonah's whale. I know we'll have a full schedule of things to do, but I may even try and squeeze in a latte with George & Jane...who better to give me a tour of the jungle right? And who needs to walk or take a trolley? I'll be swingin' from trees baby!

Oh sorry. I'm back. I know I was gettin' a little carried away. I think I lost Mr. Ed's email address anyway.

So, since this is our very first cruise and although we are going with great friends, which happen to be veteran cruisers :o) - I thought I would open this post up for any advice/tips that you can offer. Anything related to a cruise.

Packing, traveling, dealing with sea-sickness, how to NOT.GO.CRAZY without seeing my daughter for that long.

If any of you already know Flipper and would like to send him a message, now is your chance to. Oh and that silly Nemo...if you've swam with him in the past, would you mind giving me instructions for finding him?

Can't wait to hear from ya!

Just Talk & Thoughts

So, it's been a crazy day. Not bad for me in the way it was for others. It's been a sad day though for me, a day of confusion & wonder. Seems the news hits closer and closer the longer we are here on this earth.

I mean, you always hear about things that are just horrible, but it doesn't phase you...it doesn't hit you hard until it is close to home. When it affects "your world" and people that you know, then WOW it hurts...right in the gut you know?

In our town today, there was a man that opened fire in our hospital and killed 3 people. 3 innocent people. He was upset over the loss of his mother who died - 4 years ago!! - and decided to hold his grudge against the nurse who cared for his mother - 4 years ago!! He came into the hospital and did such an unthinkable thing. The place where people run for safety...for help. He shook our city today and ruined the lives of many - forever. Because of anger and hatred.

You see, what makes this all the more devastating for me is that this man was a retired school teacher from my high school. I am sorry to say it, but when I first heard this on the news today, I automatically assumed that it was some young or middle aged hoodlum that had gotten upset over something and acted on impulse. No! It was a 63 year old man! A man with hatred in his heart...so much so that he had this all planned out...over the loss of his mother - 4 years ago!

I don't know every detail of this and I never will. We don't know what this man went through. As a nurse friend of mine said today, people deal with grief in so many different ways. That is not to ever condone this, but you do feel sorry for someone - anyone that is this disturbed. Everyone says that this is so out of character for this man. This just goes to show what can happen to any of us when we allow Satan to have the slightest control in our lives.

It is okay to feel hurt by things that happen in our lives. The Good Lord gave us feelings. But, we have to get control over that hurt before it can turn into bitterness or anger. It is okay to be angry too. The Bible says, "Be angry and sin not." We just have to choose the right way to handle those emotions.

Obviously this guy, this "normal" former school teacher...gave the devil an inch. And, as we've always heard. He took a mile.

So, whether you live here or not, when you read this, I ask you to lift up the families affected by this horrible tragedy today. The employees at the hospital, the friends of the 3 that were shot. But, also please pray for the man that did this awful thing. As sickening as this is, even he is not too far that the love of our Heavenly Father can't reach Him. And although he may not realize it yet, he is gonna need that love.

Springin' In

Spring. What does that mean to you?

Yes, with it comes colds, yellow cars from pollen, fat bumble bees and lots of other funk! But, to me, Spring is the sign of renewal. My azalea's are more beautiful and big than they've ever been before. The color so vibrant and bold. Everytime I pull into my driveaway, I look up, amazed at them.

You see, I have nowhere close to a green thumb. It's not that I couldn't have if I tried. But, that's it. I don't try. That is why these type of flowers are the only flowers you will find in my yard right now. Well, unless you count the cute little yellow flowers called WEEDS!!! Azalea's don't need much attention so it seems - since they don't get it from me.

Since the first year they were planted, they've tried to bloom and some have succeeded. Not many. Then, the next year, they decided they'd try again and there may have been a few more. Small blooms though. The rest of them always appeared to be struggling.

Still, they don't stop trying. They don't know what else to do but try and poke their pretty little heads up come the first sign of Spring. Here they are, probably 3 years after they were planted and guess what?

They have finally made it. All of them...and they brought friends so it seems. They have just recently exploded and I have had quite a few people commenting on them. I was going to say something here about the irony between my azaleas finally "arriving" 3 years after they were planted and the fact that we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. But, I thought that some of you may consider that a bit inappropriate. I don't take His resurrection lightly at all, but it is neat how when you are a Christian - there are so many things that you can tie together like that. Even as corny as this analogy is. (smile)

Now, I figured I would let you see how pretty they are here. There is no way though that you can see my whole yard in its' entirety. Y'all, my yard itself looks like - well, let's just say that if weeds are in this year, then we will win an Oscar or something.

Where was I? Oh back to the point of this post.

Spring ~ Ahhh ~ I love the feeling I feel right now of a fresh, new start. Whether with my spiritual walk, friendships, family...or even things like my yard (de-weeded), my hope for a fresh, clean house or for my business. Something about this season always starts off for me with the feeling that a weight has been lifted from my chest.

I can breathe again. The "funk" from the 3 seasons past is gone. Now, like my azalea's, I'm gonna try again. Maybe this go around will be the one where I finally "arrive."

Here's to you Spring!! Welcome!! Welcome!!

Now, my gardenia bushes...well, I won't even go there.

Life, People and Jonah's Whale

I actually answered this question last week and was very pleased with how my answer turned out...but, I don't know what happened to it. I guess I accidentally deleted it. Don'tcha hate that?

So, here goes again.

Anonymous asked "If you could be or live anywhere else than where you are now, where would it be and why?"

Okay, so you aren't gonna be too impressed with this answer, but it's the stinkin' honest truth. I wouldn't want to be or live anywhere else. You see, if that was the case, then I wouldn't have the life that I have been blessed with. My family would not be close, my friends would be different, my church would be different. I just cannot imagine that at this point in my life.

(Awwh man! This isn't coming out as wonderfully as it did before my crazy self deleted it!)

I am and have always been a dependent person - depending on my husband, my parents, my friends for so much. Nothing in particular, but for everything! I can't go through one day without touching base with my "people" and just knowing they are there. My "people" are those that know me best and still enjoy my company. Uh that must be love.

I wouldn't have my "people" if I were somewhere else and that is just depressing.

But...if I win the lottery that I don't play and decide to purchase a little getaway on a cozy little quiet beach surrounded by palm trees and hammocks where I can fly to on my jet anytime I very well please and (pretend that I am not a red head with casper-like, milky white skin) and tan my tush while the island music plays in the background and my yacht awaits me in the gorgeous blue water so that I can hop on it and ride around in the shallow end so that I am safe from Jonah's whale...whew I'm tired.) Was that just a little bit of a long sentence?

Then, I guess I'd like to be there. But, not for long. Unless my "people" are in the surrounding hammocks.

But, who needs all of that when my mansion is under construction. And my builder? Oh man, He's the best!

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.

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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.

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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...?!

*Important* Post!!

Attention shoppers!!

Head to Old Navy right NOW!! Drop what you are doing and G-O! They are having an amazing sale, while supplies last, of fall & winter clothes, as well as great gifts for next Christmas...do what you say you'll do every year..."I'm gonna start my Christmas shopping earlier this year." yada yada yada...that is me every December 26th.

Now is your chance to at least start on it. I just bought some great house shoes ("slippers" sounds so 'girlie') for my hubby and father and I'd like to go rack up on a few more pair.

Guess how much they were y'all!! A whopping $1.75!! Can you believe it? They may as well just be passing them out at the door don't-cha-think?

OOPS - dad & hubby, forget you read any of that!

So, being as most women are just like me and never want to miss a deal - get...scoot...hussle your way on over and maybe I'll "see" ya there. or not. I may beat ya to all the good deals.

You can also go here to shop online for women's goodies.
or here to shop for your lil' angels.

Race ya!!!

Happy New Year to you and your family!



I am so excited about this 2008 year...I've recently found out that the number 8 means "New Beginning" and I don't know about you, but that sooo excites me!

I personally am ready for a new beginning, a fresh start. Sometimes we tend to get so bogged down with just "life stuff" and we feel like we just can't get a break.

Well, forget the break. I think I'm just ready for that new beginning. And you?

I don't know if you are one to make resolutions each year. I've never really been big on them since most of them aren't kept for long. But, I thought this was interesting:

Top New Year's Resolutions: (in no particular order)

* Lose Weight * Pay off Debt

* Save Money * Better Job

* Get Fit / Eat Right * Better Education

* Quit Smoking * Reduce Stress

* Take a trip * Volunteer More

Save Money - I'm all about the saving money...but, that is much easier said than done!

Take a trip - We are going on our very first cruise in a few months so that will cover one of those. Check!

Reduce Stress - People, I have a 2 year old! Enough said?

Better Education - E (the 2 year old mentioned herein) educates me every single day! Check!

Better Job - Hmmm. Mommy is the job I always wanted. Who could ask for anything more? Check!

~~ Okay, so I won't call these "resolutions" just goals I have for 2008:

#1 Be a Better Blogger. I know I've been a slacker lately with the blogging. As I've said before, sometimes I wonder who all is out there, since people don't regularly comment, but then people start asking me why I'm not blogging. So, I'll do better. Promise. Hopefully. Maybe. Ugh. (smile)

#2 Work, Work, Work my business with all that I have. Y'all, my youngen is starting Pre-K this year. oh.my.goodness.gracious! For plenty of reasons other than that, I need a successful business and that is up to me!

#3 Get up earlier. I have a tendency to let myself sleep until E wakes up a lot of mornings - not all mornings, but a lot. I realize that since she is not an early-riser, there is so much that I could get done each morning if I'd crawl on out.

#4 Become a woman after God's own heart. This should not be down at #4, so these aren't in the right order, but I just finished Beth Moore's 90-day study on the life of David. I feel like I know David now. I highly recommend this study. What a legacy he left. Was he a perfect man? Certainly not. Did he love God? Absolutely and he left us a lot to learn from. Oh how I want to know God like David did.

Okay, so that is enough right now. I pray that your 2008 is filled with happiness, love, laughter and peace...but most importantly a burning desire to live for and serve the Lord, the King of all Kings, the ONLY God like you've never imagined.

God bless!

Do Y'all Do This?

Man, I'll be honest. This holiday season, I've just really found myself down in the dumps a lot! Why? This is such a cheery time of year. I know I know. I should be ashamed of myself.

I, like most of you, get so stinkin' wrapped up in buying gifts for people. Then, I end up all sad that I can't do everything for them that I want. The money just won't stretch for everything you know? Man, it's the pits!

I can honestly say that I'm not all about receiving gifts. I don't even consider what I would like to have and when asked what I want, I have to rack my brain to come up with a couple things I'd like. I LOVE...L.O.V.E. to make people happy. I love to see their faces light up when they open a gift that I've purchased or made with love; one that I've really put a lot of thought or time into. It is so awesome! It pains me that I can't buy one of everything I want to buy for all of my family and friends.

But, over the past several days, I've really been hearing that simple saying in my head, "Jesus is the REASON for the SEASON!" Christmas is not and never has been about gifts. It's certainly not about receiving gifts...and it really isn't about giving - when it comes to the presents.

CHRISTmas is about thanking God for sending us His ONLY Son. It's about celebrating His birth. It's about the GIVER...of the Ultimate Gift! Without Him, this life just simply would.not.be!

Giving gifts is great...serving the community is great...giving and reaching out to others is great and I do believe it is our duty as Christians. But, as we do this, don't forget the true meaning of this special time of year. CHRISTmas - NOT "Xmas" - NOT "Happy Holidays" - But, C.H.R.I.S.T.mas.

It is all about Christ our Lord!

As you read this, my prayer for you is that you will take a moment to focus on the receiving part of Christmas. Receive the gift of God's love...a love so great for you - so immeasurable - that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you.

There is NO love greater than that!

The Cup or the Coffee?

I received the following story in an email today and I just had to share it because it is so very true. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers, got together for a visit with their old university professor. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work and life in general.Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen and soon returned with a large pot of coffee and an eclectic assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some expensive, some quite exquisite. Quietly he told them to help themselves to some fresh coffee.When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the old professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently address th e small gathering. ''You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems." He continued. "Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you instinctively went for the best cups. Then you began eyeing each other's cups.'' ''Now consider this: Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define nor change the quality of the Life we live. Often, by concentrating only on the cup,we fail to enjoy the coffee that God has provided us. God brews the coffee, but he does not supply the cups. Enjoy your coffee!'' The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything. So please remember: Live simply. Love generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God. And remember - the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

"Lord, let me focus on the coffee and not the cups ~ not the "things" of this world: the best of this and the best of that...But, to focus on this life in which you have blessed me with! Regardless of what avenues you take to get my blessings to me, the fact is that you have brewed me up a Life of really great coffee! Help me to sit back and relax while I enjoy the coffee you've provided. But, most importantly, help me Leave the Rest to You! Who needs the fancy "cups" when I've already got the Maker?!!"

Jibber Jabber

Have any of you ever made one of those "easy" no-sew fleece blankets that are popular to make? Well, I've always heard how eeaassyy it was and then I saw this post over at A New Chelsea Morning. Check it out...She made the most adorable little blanket for her grandson and she did such a great job! I also have a friend, Jessica, who makes lots of these so I thought I'd try.

I would post pics for your enjoyment-if you need a laugh-but, my camera is acting up tonight. Plus, I'm ashamed to show you.

You see, there is not a crafty bone in my body! AT ALL! I must have been sleeping when the good Lord passed out that trait cuz' it just ain't happenin' for me! Our friend "Bwoos" as E calls him (aka: Bruce) just left here and was literally walking out the door laughing at the sight of my effort. He can't understand how it will possibly end up as a blanket. "Oh, I see...you're cutting little "frilly" things on the sides huh?" (You should understand that comment when you see the instructions on here.) "Frilly things?" no.not.at.all.

K is trying to comfort me and blame it on the scissors being too dull...I will be buying new scissors tomorrow, so I guess we will see.

I'll keep ya posted. The good thing is E won't know the difference. She will just know that her mommy made it for her with love...and lots of frustration. (smile)

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So, football has officially begun y'all! (Oh, how very excited I am!) What is usually a quiet home (with the exception of a 2 year old) has suddenly turned into quite the opposite, as it normally does this time of year.

My sweet hub wants me to get involved in it so bad. Bless his heart - he didn't end up with one of "those" wives - like some of you reading this. I mean, it's been on for HOURS now and there is no sign of his cutting the t.v. off. There aren't too many things he will stay up until midnight to watch. How can it not get old? Every game looks the same to me.

Tonight, and every year, he tries to explain: "Baby, that is the quarterback throwing to the wide receiver." "Defense, Offense, Running Back, Safety, Jibber.Jabber.Jibber.Jabber." I've not learned anything yet, so why does he keep trying? Awwh...

He's making sure E knows all about it though. Tonight, she wanted to stay home with daddy while I ran errands. When I walked in the door, she said, "Mommy, I watch da game!" She was right in the middle of the guys on the floor eating their snacks.

Guess I'm outnumbered huh?

By the way, ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!! I've at least learned that much! (I wanna stay in this family.)