Shutterfly for the Holidays

I have used Shutterfly cards to celebrate all kinds of special occasions! I used them to announce to the world I had earned my masters! I used them to announce I had my first babygirl and just recently my second!! I used them last year for my Christmas cards and just today designed our Christmas card for this year!

I am not the most creative person in the world, but thankfully Shutterfly is creative for you. All you have to do is add your pictures and maybe a short message and instant cuteness to share! Last year for Christmas presents, I was able to make a book full of pictures from our family reunion. It was the perfect gift for those who have everything! The year before I made calenders for everyone with seasonal pictures of my furbabies(obviously before I had my babygirls!) Everyone loved them!

This year having two babygirls and two furbabies, I wanted to share more than one picture. I wanted to tell a story of our year with pictures. This is the design I plan on using:

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/family-wall-red-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479

To find other products you can go to the following links!

holiday cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards

Christmas photo cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

desk calendars to http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/desk-calendars

new years invitations to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/new-years-cards

holiday invitations to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations

mother's day cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/mothers-day-cards-stationery

Nonie's Favorite Activity

Nonie LOVES to walk the dogs. I wonder if it came from all the walks we have been on. Before the ridiculous heat of the summer, we would go on long walks with Aunt Morgan and Norman. Nonie always seemed to enjoy it. BUT, now if you even try to walk out the door with the dog or dogs, without her...not a happy camper. Hilarious side note, she does not let go. Molly, though small, has a pretty good pull to her. Nonie keeps that grip and laughs through it all. LOVE IT! Is 2 too young to let her walk the dogs by herself? Ok, done.

Why I love this week...

So, we are not going to talk about how long it has been since I have last blogged. We are just going to start blogging again. I will be having a baby soon, so I will be at home and be able to update and hopefully get back into a routine. If we will remember, I was very good at bloggign when I was NOT pregnant, which granted was only a few months, but...

• Thi s is the last week before fall break. That's right, 5 school days until two weeks off with my family!! we have lots of fun things planned for the break...zoo, pumpkin farm, playing at the park, walks with Aunt Morgan and Norman, plus adding a sister to the family!
• This is also the last week of volleyball! It has been a great season and the girls and parents have been awesome. BUT, I can't wait to be able to pick up my babygirl directly after school instead of after practice!
• Nonie's one-uear appointment is this afternoon. Sad day. She gets at least 3 shots and they are new ones, so we do not know how she will react. Plus, one is supposed to hurt...a lot. :-( Glad Daddy is goig with us!
• Wylie and I have an appointment tomorrow. 35 weeks!!! 5 weeks or less til the Wyliebear is here. I CANNOT wait to meet her!!!
• Noniebear is saying Mama all the time now...must admit, pretty darn cute! Ok, done.
  

Why I love this week...

SO, remember when I said I don't plan things and thus, it is hard to look ahead and be excited? Maybe that doesn't apply to this week...hehe.

• Well, for several different reasons our moms needed a few days off this week. So, I get to stay at home with the Noniebear Wednesday and Thursday! Holla! Brother has more sick days, however, his students have their big "End of Course Test" next Tuesday, so he really felt like he should be there. So, twist my arm, I will hang out with my kid! haha! Can't wait!
• Teething is over!!! (for the moment!) My happy, go-lucky, giggly girl is back. Praise Him! We have had so much fun with her the last week or so and she has been smiling and laughing like crazy! Love it!
• Thursday night is the softball banquet! It is always a little stressful for me, b/c I am not a huge fan of talking in front of parents. I feel like they are constantly looking down on me and judging me. However, they are big fans of coaches praising their children. So, I will probably stick to that. It is fun to see the girls having fun and being silly and celebrating the season with each other. Did I mention we won the Conference tournament!? Plus, Nonie will get to make an appearance!
• Friday...Special Olympics!!! So excited. I get to work with a good friend of mine and her special ed class on Wednesdays in PE. I love the small class and these children are just precious. I could tell funny stories about each of them for days and I love what they teach me about Jesus. (more on that later) Anyway, I get to go with them and cheer them on and coach them on and hug them when they are finished! And yes, I think Nonie will be making an appearance as well. She is so popular! (just kidding).
• Now for the main event (cue jock jams music): Friday afternoon, Nonie and I will set off on our first official GIRLS WEEKEND together!! Woo hoo! Actually, I don't know if I have told her yet! We are heading to Bowling Green to see all my fabulous college friends! Nonie and I are spending the night at Sabrina's and having a chill evening with tacos and lava cakes (bonus). Then, Saturday we are hitting up the Kyotos and seeing more good friends!
• Plus, of course we will get to see Grandma and Granddad too!!! Nonie loves them!
• I should probably stop there...however, I have to mention my amazing church! Every Sunday is sooooo much fun! I love my church family. I feel like Brother and I finally prevailed. We searched for so long to find a church to call "ours" and to feel a part of and we finally found it. We teach Sunday School together, we have a life group with children Nonie's age and parent friends for us, and we love our pastor and the worship. I will have to do a post on our church soon. We are so blessed! Ok, done.

Cream of Rice

I am a big fan of cream of wheat. I have always loved it. My dad used to make it when I was little and I put a little brown sugar on top. MMMM, so good. Well, I hadn’t had it in a while and it was an option for breakfast in the hospital when I had Nonie. I had to order it and thus, back in my life.

Well, I was telling a fellow teacher about this and he asked if I had ever tried cream of rice. WHAT???? Who knew there was such a thing? He brought some to school for me and I took it home and tried it. Holla! Sooo good. Still had to add a little brown sugar, but hey, why not? Anyway, just throwing it out there. Also, he says they don’t sell it anywhere around here. The only place he can find it is east Tennessee.

Challenge: next time you are at the grocery, see if they have cream of rice. Try it!

Ok, done.

Why I Loved Last Week

So, I struggle with the “Why I love this week” logo because I don’t always have tons of things planned to talk about. Maybe it is because I have a little one and so planning things is kind of hard. Or maybe it is because the things I don’t plan end up being my favorite. I don’t know, but if someone could make me a logo that says “Why I loved last week” that would be great.

Until then, this is why I loved last week…

• Only a 3 day week, b/c of spring break!
• I got to carpool with Brother EVERY day to school.
• I got to reconnect with the kids I used to nanny for in grad school. They also got to meet Nonie and it was precious!
• I enjoyed coaching softball, especially with Brother, however last week it was super nice to be able to go straight home from school.
• B/c I got to go straight home, W, TR, and F I took a nap, cooked dinner, and then took Nonie and the ladies for a walk. Love it!

Sidenote, I totally ate my lunch for breakfast this morning. Therefore, now I am starving. Good news is I think that means morning sickness is almost over. Ok, done.

Nonie's 6-Month Pictures

Enjoy!! I am truly blessed. Ok, done.

Question

If you will remember with me for a moment, if February I joined the 5 o’clock club. I got up each morning around 5:30 and spent time with the Lord. I loved this time. It was quiet. I got to wake up on my own. I was reminded why I am on this earth. I got to enjoy a cup of coffee (by the fire at the time) with my Father.

Well, it is has been a few months and A LOT has changed in my life. I have a 7 month old that gets up when she feels like it, which lately is around 5:30 and I am pregnant. Being pregnant is awesome. I am not in the awesome part at the moment, but it is around the corner. However, being pregnant is EXHAUSTING! There is no tired like pregnant tired. It just comes out of no where and leaves you wondering how you could be sooo tired.

My question is: what do you think the Lord expects from me, from all of us? When we are sick or pregnant, should our goal to be in the 5 o’clock club still exist? Does God give us a pass for 9 months? I know that we should spend daily, quality time with the Lord and that time does not matter. However, if I don’t plan it, set it aside specifically, it is not going to happen. Nonie’s diaper will need to be changed, bottle given, solid food, dogs will need a walk, conversation with the husband, nap, nap, nap, try to eat, nap again. It just seems like the days come and go and I barely have control over what I accomplish. I feel VERY out of control when I am pregnant. I can no longer push on, suck it up, or take one for the team. My body just quits when it is going to quit. Often, I sit in church on Sunday and am overtaken by guilt because it has been a week since I have spent quality time with Him. Nonie and I pray each night and I have taken on the habit of sentence prayers throughout my day. Anyway, that’s all I got. Just wondering what you people thought. Ok, done.

Excuses

Alright, no more excuses. Well, actually, this is going to be a whole blog on excuses. I haven’t written in, let’s just say a long while. I am sorry. But, a lot has been going on!

Excuse #1
Brother and I were coaching my middle school softball team. We played 37 games in just under 6 weeks. That is a lot, plus doesn’t count any practices. There were weekends where we played 6 or 7 games alone. Needles to say it was CRAZY and we missed Noniebear greatly. Thankfully, the season came to an end last weekend. We played in our conference tournament where we were the #1 seed. Holla! It was a double elimination tournament and of course we took the long way about it, but we did win it! It was a 14 hour day of softball. Once again, crazy and we missed Nonie bear.

Excuse #2
Now, somewhere in the middle of the season spring break occurred. However, this meant that my mom was having surgery. A pretty major surgery. She was in the hospital a couple of days and was in the bed about a week. It was a big deal and since she helps with Nonie a lot, if affected our lives greatly. Plus, I was at the hospital a bit, and her house trying to help out some. So, Brother was a single dad for a few days.

Excuse #3
Now, in the middle of all this, Nonie had her 6 month check up. No big deal, right? Wrong…she has never reacted to shot before, but this time we had a 102 temp for two straight days. She had never even had a temp before. Needless to say, she was not a happy camper. Sticking with the “not a happy camper” theme, she decided to start teething. Awesome, oh wait, no! AND on top of that decided to get an ear infection. (This was our first non-checkup, pay a co-pay dr. visit-bummer). As you can see, Nonie hasn’t been in the best of moods. A fussy baby means I did not get much else done.

Excuse#4
The entire time excuse 1-3 was going on I was pregnant! WHAT???? I know, right? I wish I could have told you earlier, but I have had a miscarriage before, so I wanted to wait a while before I announced it to the blog world. But there you have it. The reasons I have not been around. So, sorry! I have lots of pics to share with you and crazy stories. Hopefully, I will get there soon. Things are starting to slow down a bit. Of course, the fact that Nonie fell off the couch face first on to the hard wood floor first thing this morning, doesn’t help anything. Ok, done.

LOVE

This week there were no REAL highlights to talk about. I mean there are new shows and that is kind of exciting. We have softball games and that is cool too. But the real wonderful things about this week are the simple everyday moments.

• Waking up with my husband.
• Coming home to Nonie and the ladies.
• Feeding cereal to Nonie for the first time.
• Figuring out how to deal with softball drama with my husband.
• Carpooling with my husband.
• Going to bed at 8:30.
• Seeing my brother.
• NOT having the stomach virus.
• Getting Nonie to smile, giggle, or make our favorite noise.
• Molly snuggling ALL night with me.
• Molly and Millie's haircuts. They are so soft and cute.

These are the reasons I love this week. Ok, done.

Failure

Today was the first day since starting the 5o’clock(5:30) challenge that it didn’t happen. Oh, I was up at 5:30, but so was Noniebear. Bummer. I did not mind at all the quality time feeding and snuggling with her. Plus, I got all of her diapers put together. However, my quiet time did not occur. Obviously, it is possible that I could do it when I get home. But, we have a softball game this afternoon 30 minutes away. I probably won’t get home til at least 7 if not later and Nonie’s new bedtime is 8! I want to spend the little time I have with her. It is going to be one crazy day. I will hope for the best. I am still pretty bummed though. Oh well. I will prevail tomorrow.

As I just mentioned, Nonie has a new bedtime. We started noticing her evening naps getting longer. We would actually have to wake her up to feed her, just to put her back to bed. So we moved her bedtime up an hour, skipped the evening nap, and we try to make her wait as late as possible for her last bottle. Holla! It totally worked! Now, b/c apparently I am ancient, I can actually be in bed before 9! It sounds so early, but I get up at 5:30 and am active all day long. It sure doesn’t feel early.

Remember this blog is going private very soon. So, leave a comment with your email. I wanted to do this from the beginning, but truth be told, I couldn’t figure it out and I didn’t think anyone would know about it. Anyway, we have our first real softball game this afternoon. Go Tigers!!! Ok, done.

Just a heads up-Need your email

B/c I love writing about my little one, job, and other such things, I have decided to protect my blog. Therefore, if you would like to continue reading, I need your email! Sorry for the hassle! Let me know...Love to all. Ok, done.

Why I love THIS week!

• Brother and I are coaching my middle school's softball team and it is the most fun I have had in a long time. He and I are such a good team. When we met, we were working together. We just work like that. Anyway, he is helping with practice this week and we have a game Thursday afternoon, two Friday, and until we lose on Saturday! Woo hoo!
• My birthday is Sunday, Holla!
• Noniebear is rolling over like a mad woman! I love all her new tricks and the fact that she is growing up!
• New Bachelor tonight! Lost!
• My house is clean.
• Ok done.

Heavy Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI&sns=em

Could not watch this without tears. Still wish I could bring one home...one day.

• NEW Bachelor, Lost, American Idol, and I think Grey's and Private Practice. Is it bad I watch this much TV? Nah! It is how I chill after Nonie is in bed!
• Thursday is a half day for students. Shorten schedules are always fun for me.
• Saturday all my friends from college are meeting in BG. It had to be rescheduled due to snow...I am so excited to see them all and for Kyotos! Plus, I hear there is a rumor of molten lava cakes...Please let it be true!!!
• I get to see my grandparents on Saturday!! I love when Nonie gets to spend time with them.
• Sunday our church is meeting in Thompson's Station again, thus close to us! I love only driving 5 minutes to church. (More on this later). Plus, I get to work in childcare with Nonie.
• Valentines Day. I am not a mega supporter of V-day. Cheesy I know, but everyday feels like V-day in my home. My husband spoils me daily. However, it is fun to be a little extra lovey.
• Ok, done.

Funny Lookin'

Just checking in…Even though I was totally hoping for a snow day today, I still was up at 5:30. I love this! I love that there are several of you holding me accountable by getting up yourselves. Not to mention, I just love the time spent. I treat it a lot like working out. When I think about working out, I don’t want to. But if I just don’t think and just do it, I succeed and thoroughly enjoy the feeling afterward. If that makes any sense? Anyway, this morning was so peaceful. Cup of coffee, snuggled up by the fire, and it was snowing outside. God is so good! I am thankful for today. I am thankful for my job. I am thankful for my husband who is so good at loving me. I am thankful for my baby. However, I do wish I was at home snuggling with her right now.

Side note: she must have thought I looked FUNNY last night because she straight giggled, no cackled for 2 or 3 minutes straight. It was so wonderful.

Also, anyone watching the Bachelor? Not gonna lie, I was kind of surprised Ali chose to go home. Crazy! I think I am rooting for Tenley. However, her “I choreographed this dance just for you, Jake” dance was kinda awkward. A teacher I work with came over the last two weeks to watch it with me. She is hilarious and lots of fun to hang out with. I am glad she lives close. It is good to have a work friend. Not to mention, she totally loves on Molly and thus, she is a big fan! Ok, done.

9 o'clock club: Day 3

Well, here we are. It’s the weekend. I wasn’t sure how to handle the 5 o’clock club. The thought of getting up at 5:30 when I didn’t have to be up at all, didn’t quite seem like the best idea. However, I wanted that time with the Lord and isn’t that the point? So, it was Brother’s turn to get up with Nonie. Therefore, I allowed myself to sleep in. At 8:30 I woke up to my baby and my baby-daddy. We even threw Molly in the bed! I so enjoy family time.

**Millie is not allowed in our bed unless it is a storm and we know for sure she is EMPTY. When we first got her, we tried to sleep with both dogs. This was before we figured out just how skittish she was. She definitely peed in our bed twice before we decided it wasn’t a good fit. I think I remember a #2 occurring too. BTW, Molly totally did that to Melanie in college. Hahaha! Hilarious. The best part was, I was not there. So, Melanie called to inform me of what had occurred. I simply replied, “what would you like me to do about that?” Ha!

Anyway, since Nonie had been up for a while is was about time for her morning nap. So I put Nonie and her daddy back to bed and headed downstairs. I started a load of laundry, made coffee, and snuggled up in my chair. It was perfect and it was 9 o’clock! Holla!

Ok, done.

5 o'clock club-attempt #2

Well, I didn’t try to break into any cars today, but it was definitely a rough morning. First of all, since yesterday was our first day back after 6 days of doing almost nothing, because we were snowed in, it about killed me! I had gotten up extra early, worked out, played basketball with two of my classes (2 hours), had my first day of softball practice (therefore getting home after 5), and it was bath night for baby girl. Bonus- Nonie and I totally fell asleep on the couch around 7:30…awww!

Anyway, to say I was exhausted would be an understatement. Then, Nonie decided she needed to eat at 4 o’clock am. UGH!!! It was my turn, so up I got. It was cute, she was so awake and happy. Smiling up a storm and there I was about to pass out. We snuggled and I explained the 4 am hour was for sleeping. Don’t think she got it, but whatev. So, I attempted to put her back to sleep. My mother-in-law is with us right now. So, we are ultra sensitive to the noise Nonie makes because we want her (mil) to sleep well. So, Brother and I were up several times reinserting the pi-pi (pacifier). She probably fell back asleep around 4:45. I took a 45 ish minute nap before waking up at 5:30. Not going to lie, I probably rolled out of bed around 5:40.

Made my cup of coffee. Got my devo book and a blanket and enjoyed the quiet. I love it. Once I get past the actual waking up, I love it. It is such a sweet time. I struggle trying to describe it.

Bonus- this morning first thing at school I was asked to do something out of the ordinary causing me to miss my planning period. Bummer, b/c I actually had a lot to get done for softball. However, what I had read the morning before popped into my head. “It’s not about you.” (obviously not scripture, but the focus of the devo). Therefore, I was able to change my mood and do a quality job. Application-check.

So, what should my plan be for the weekends? Nonie gets up around 7 or 7:30 if we are lucky. Ideas? Ok, done.

Why I love this week...

• Only a 2 day work week b/c of snow days!
• Softball starts! The girls are so excited. I have a very good group of girls and they should be pretty good.
• Did I mention a 2 day work week?
• New episodes of Grey's and Private Practice!
• Oh, and Lost already came on but the Lost party was pretty great. I will have to upload a pic of the cake we had. Amazing!
• Started 5 o'clock club.
• I have had amazing quality time with Nonie and great workouts too! I'm sore.
• ok, done.
  

5 O'clock Club

So, today was my first official attempt at the 5 o’clock club (5:30 for me). I thought I would start with an achievable goal. The Big Man was on my side, because Nonie decided to whimper around 5:15. Nothing wakes up a mama like the sound of her child. Therefore, when the alarm went off at 5:30, I was ready to go.

I did not set myself up for success. I knew my bible was in my purse in Brother’s car. However, what I didn’t know was that Brother had moved his car so his mom could park close to our house. (We only have two spots, so we have been moving our cars so our mothers can park close.) Well, Brother and his mom have the SAME car. So, at 5:30 I was trying to break into my mother-in-laws car with my husband’s keys. Um, didn’t work and I definitely didn’t figure it out. Therefore, I gave up and just retrieved a devotional book from my car that would suffice. BTW, any ideas for devos would be greatly appreciated.

Anyway, I made a cup of coffee and with the house quiet, I spent time with the Lord. I won’t lie, it was wonderful and much needed. Honestly, I hope tomorrow is as easy.

When I went back upstairs, my husband asked where I had gone in almost a panic. You see, when I have goals, I don’t often share them with those closest to me for fear of failure. I would rather fail without anyone knowing. I know I am a coward. For example, I took the GRE, applied to grad school, and got in before I told anyone of my plans. Then, one day just announced to my parents, “I think I am going to go to grad school.” Um, ok.

Anyway, attempt #1=success. Ok, done.

Julia Gulia

"Julia's last name is going to be Gulia? That's funny."

"Why's that funny?"

"I don't know."

Name that movie...

This is the line I think of every time I think about the movie Julie and Julia. I finally got to watch this movie while we have been snowed it. I liked it. A lot. It was a very real movie. Plus, it was about blogging and cooking. These are two things I wish I was better at. Anyway, I am not ok with how the movie ended. Why in the world could she not have met Julia? Also, why did it end with her thinking Julia hated her? This does not seem like that is how Julia would have felt. That is all. Ok, done.

Snow Days

We are going on 4 days of being snowed in. Don't get me wrong, I am having some major cabin fever. It is Monday afternoon and I have not left the house since Thursday! However, I wouldn't trade the moments I have had with Nonie. This wasn't her first official snow, but it was the first time she has gotten out in it. I still think it is funny and awesome that so many things are "firsts" for her. The FIRST time! If you stop and really think about it, that is crazy. I don't know if I say it enough, but I love Nonie and her daddy. We have a wonderful little family. I can't wait for it to grow. Ok, done.

4 Months-Done.

4 Months old!!!!!!!!! I believe it. However, it has gone fast. But that means it was fun, right?? Nonie’s stats were crazy. She weighs 17 lbs which is in 97% and she is 26 inches long also 97%. All of this means she has outgrown her car seat. You know the carriers that click into a base. Yup, her feet hang off the end! Luckily we saw this coming and got her a new one that should last til a booster seat! It is really cute too!

Other fun facts: She is wearing 6-9 month clothes. Size 2 shoes. She is smiling and giggling all over the place. She is actually ticklish! She is talking in what sound like sentences. She loves it when you sing to her. She is grabbing things put in front of her, including my hair. Sleeping through the night and sleeping all her naps in her bed. This whole being a mom thing is pretty great.

In other news, I think we are going to start the adoption process. It was always in the plan, but we didn’t think it would be this soon. However, with the devastation in Haiti…no time like the present. The paperwork and fees are quite overwhelming, but God will take care of that. Plus, if it is going to take several years, now is a great time to start. Ok, done.

Update

Christmas: Was wonderful and short. It may have been the best ever at my grandmother’s house. We all sat around and shared our favorite Christmas memory. It was so special and insightful. Grandma’s favorite memory was when Brother and I arrived early with Nonie and she was able to rock her before everyone else arrived. Perfect.

Nonie did great at the Christmas Eve service and at dinner at a Japanese Hibachi Restaurant. She slept through opening presents, but I think she will be pumped next year.

We had a great time at Brother’s parent’s house. It was some quality family time and since we didn’t make it to Thanksgiving, so it was great to finally make it down there. Nonie saw a horse for the first time. Her eyes got SOO big!

New Years was low key. For the second year in a row, we watched LOST with Robin. We are anxiously awaiting the last season which starts Feb 2!

We started school last week and all is well. We also had two snow days last week, which was super! Looks like I will be the softball coach! I am excited, but still getting used to the idea though. They asked me last week-haha. I still need an assistant. It should be a good season. Lots to learn again. Also, will be a way from Nonie a little more, but she is in good hands.

Speaking of Nonie, 3 or 4 days ago, she decided to talk and grab hold of things. It is awesome. She gabbers for minutes at a time. It is pretty cute. The more she does, the more fun it gets. I can’t wait for park days and playing ball. Riding bikes. Going for walks. So fun!

In other news, we did end up getting a new tv for Christmas. My husband LOVES it. The realtor is coming by on Monday to list our house. We are realistic, but hopeful. If the Lord wants us to move, then it will happen. Ok, done.

ugh

So, I totally wrote this blog in my head on the way to work this morning and now I sit here and can’t put a thought together. However, I think that is the point. I am so upset inside. Torn. Confused. Sad. Thankful.

I can’t for the life of me decide why it has struck me to the core, but it sure has. Tears have come more than I care to admit. Almost uncontrollable at times. What am I talking about? Haiti.

It could be because I have a friend working in an orphanage right where the earthquake occurred. It could be that a family I was once close to, is adopting a little girl from that same orphanage. It could be all of the images of bodies and collapsed buildings. I saw a clip last night of a 4 mouth old baby that survived. However, now alone. Nonie will be four months old next Wednesday. Hence, the thankfulness. My child is safe. But so many are not. I want them. I want them to be safe. And loved. And fed. And happy. Why can’t they just send them to me? Seriously though, at least one. Nonie has plenty to share. I want to make a difference. I want to help. And yet, I feel helpless. And I don’t like it. Ok, done.

P.S. this made more sense in my head this morning. Ok, now done.