A Loss

A few weeks ago I called Drew at work and asked him to bring me home some pregnancy tests. Everett and Haven were napping and I ran into the bathroom to find out if we were expecting our third child or not. Within 30 seconds that second line turned blue and I knew it was true. Drew was anxiously timing the test in the other room as I walked out crying he wondered what was going on. I told him he could go ahead and check it because it would show him we were pregnant again. We both cried with Joy! We were so excited to be adding another child to our two perfect babies we already had!

We went to the doctor for our first OB appointment at our 8 week mark. It was so redundant at first having been through this twice already we felt like old pros walking in the office. We confidently handled our first meeting with the nurse and got our goody bag of goodies for expectant parents. I went down had lab work done before we went to our scheduled first sonogram. We got called back to have our sonogram and as we were watching on the screen as the tech was looking around my uterus I could instantly tell this pregnancy was different. The black hole which normally holds the fetus looked empty to me. I asked if it was and the tech said she needed to zoom in. She told us the fetus was measuring 6 weeks and was very small. As she kept looking I could tell this was not going to be good news. She could not locate a yolk sac which is what was supposed to be giving the fetus nutrients. I asked if she could find a heartbeat and she said No but it may be too early. As we wrapped up the sonogram feeling deflated and uncertain the tech stepped out to give our doctor upstairs a call. Drew and I looked sadly at one another in stunned silence. The tech came back in and told me the doctor wanted to meet with us and then asked if we wanted the pictures. I had never been asked that before so it was another clear sign that this pregnancy was not going to be viable. We declined the pictures and followed the tech in silence as she led us up the back way to our doctors office. I felt like we were the people they shield the happy pregnant people from. As we sat across from our doctor explaining to us that this pregnancy was not going to be fruitful in delivering that third baby to our family I tried my hardest not to cry. She explained to us how common this was and how it shouldn't hinder our hopes of having another child later. She reassured me it was nothing I did or didn't do but nature's way of making sure we get a healthy baby.  I looked at my husband, who was so excited for this new life just moments ago, as he tried to comprehend what we were being told. Reality was slapping us in the face. We left the office clinging our hands tightly together letting it sink in. As we drove to pick up Everett and Haven from Nana's house it dawned on us that Everett was excitedly expecting to have a new what he was sure would be is a sister. It obviously was a mistake to tell him so soon and the other family members we did but we had never had trouble before and weren't expecting to this time. I didn't think I would cry. I knew how common this was and told Drew a week ago that my Mom had experienced a miscarriage and I wouldn't be surprised if I did too at some point. However thinking I may have one and actually walking the road is incredibly different.

My heart is broken for this little life that will not come to be. Devastated for the hope this baby held for our family and the joy gone with it. I do believe in a God that has a plan and a purpose for our family. I know he will bless us and our journey to have more children in the future but for now we are sad. It feels ridiculous and silly to mourn so heavily a fetus that was so small but there has been a real hole in our hearts already left by this little one. I have been had an unexpected sadness and loss in my soul.

Sweet Everett hasn't said another word about the baby... somehow he knows. After a D&C and some time processing the loss we are ready to look forward to the future and the hopefully healthy babies that await to be added to our family.

Mother's Day 2017

This Mother's Day was so incredibly special to me for many reasons! The first was that my sweet Everett ran into our room where I was still laying in bed and kissed me and told me "Happy Mother's Day Mommy!" It was the absolute sweetest moment and just a precious reminder to me what the day meant and how lucky I was to be included in the club of motherhood. My sweet precious children mean the world to me and raising them is the greatest pleasure of my life! There are days that are long and exhausting but never without a moment of blessings for being a Mom. It is a hard job and I took so much for granted of how hard my own mom worked to raise three children on her own. There are questions and advice I so long to ask her.

My Precious husband brought me breakfast in bed and handled the children while I took a little time to rest and relax before getting up. I do love to take my time in the mornings and not jump out of bed, something that doesn't coincide with motherhood well. We had planned that instead of going to church this morning we would gather our crew pick up Mom and head out to do something fun with her to capitalize on her best time of day. Because she can't eat a regular meal any longer I decided that our activity should not revolve around a meal as it usually would. Activities are so limited for Mom these days but she absolutely loves to get out in the sunshine. Drew and I loaded up Everett and Haven, picked up Mom and went to the park for a little time out in the sun and breeze. Mom has been alert, and talking if she doesn't get her medicine first thing in the morning so we held off her meds and got to spend some wonderful quality time with her. She laughed at the kids, reached out to Drew and gave me kisses. We fed the ducks, walked the trail and watched the kids play in the water. I kept asking her if she was doing ok and she would reply "ohhh yeah!" She loved every second of being outside and we did too! I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend this Mother's Day! I oculdn't help but think back to a Mother's Day a few years ago when Patrick and I gifted Mom a bicycle and she took off riding down the block with the glee of a schoolgirl on it. I long for those days again to get to be with her in that spirit but on days like this mother's day when I get glimpses and small moments of it my heart becomes so full! Seeing her interaction and reaction to my babies means the world to me and I cling to every single second.

After spending the afternoon cuddling with Everett on the couch we went to Aunt Tammy's for a special Mother's Day dinner surrounded by Nana, Aunt Cindy, Doss, Charlotte, and Kelsey. We had a wonderful dinner just being together and as Everett and Haven made their way from person to person I was so grateful for the legacy of strong mothers in my family that my children have to look up to and the examples I have to follow!

A Mother

Mother's Day has always been such a special holiday to me as it was a moment of much needed recognition for the woman who gave it selflessly sacrificed it all for her children. I loved trying to find a fitting gift paired with a heartfelt card to make my Mom feel the most special on this particular day. Now as a Mom myself I am reflecting on this Mothers Day. Remembering the special moments I spent with my Mom. The memories that will outlast her lifetime and that I will cherish in my heart foever. I am thinking about the stories I want to tell my kids about their Nana and what an incredible Mom she was to me! She doesn't know what the significance of it being "Mother's Day" means but that won't keep me from celebrating her and making her feel extra special! My sweet Everett and Haven have made me a Mom  and although they have and will teach me more about myself and life than anyone can. I learned what it means to be a Mom from mine. I learned true sacrifice and unconditional love from her. I hope to continue her legacy by raising my kids in a way that would make her proud! I wish so badly she could love on them and play with them like she would really want to. In the moments she gets on the floor and "roars" with Everett or laughs at his laughter or stares at Haven and says "she's so pretty" or "so precious" I get a tiny glimpse of the Nana she deserves to be and it is moments I will carry in my heart forever! 

So Happy Mother's Day 2016 to my hero! I am proud to be yours and blessed 

by all the moments we have together! 

Everett and Haven... Words cannot describe my love and adoration for you two! You are undoubtedly the absolute best gifts that I have ever been given. I am so proud to be your Mom!! Each day with you is filled with wonder and challenges and there is nothing I would change about a single one! I love you both to the moon and back!

A little road tripping

A few weeks ago Everett and I took a solo trip to Abilene to hang out with a few longtime friends! This was our first trip just the two of us and I was a little nervous about how Everett would do... I shouldn't have been though because he did amazing! Only getting grumpy towards the end of the trip! 

On our way down I started to get updates that Darrah had gone into Labor with Oakley in Hawaii. It was a short hour and a half later as I passed through Lubbock that I got a text from Ryan telling me that she was here! She is beautiful and perfect! It was an exciting start to my weekend.

Everett and I picked up My college friend Laura Beth in Lubbock and countinued our drive to Abilene to meet up with the Davis clan. This was our first time meeting baby Myla who is 6 months old and Everetts first time meeting Adilyn who just turned 2. I was anxious to see how he would react to being around a bigger kid like Adilyn although Everett is wearing the same size clothes as she is. He had a blast with the girls as did I. 

Our trip included Everett's first trip to the zoo where he was completely uninterested in the animals and totally interested in eating his goldfish. 

I had the best time catching up with old friends who have shared in many of my biggest life moments. Friends who knew my mom before and grieve in her loss with me. Friends who rejoice in my triumphs and pray for my falls. Friends who I know that no matter how many miles or countries are between us they will always be there. I am blessed! 

My Heart Hurts

I lay awake at night missing you.

I think about all the times I took for granted getting to be with you.

Memories pop in my head of you driving up to my office at State Farm in Abilene and giving me a "Mother's Love" ring from James Avery. You told me that the heart signified a mother and child, and even though I wasn't a mother I was your child and that heart was of you and I. I hate that I was to embarassed to wear it then because I didn't want people to think I was a mother when I wasn't. Now I wear it not only because I am a mom now but because the memory of you giving it to me is something I hold on to dearly.

I hate the time that has been stolen from us.

I am saddened by the stories I will never get to hear you tell.

I still need you. I still need to be taught by you, My Mom.

I need you daily. I miss you every moment. Sometimes I tell you that I miss you, your eyes swell up with tears and you say you miss me too. I think in these moments you know what I mean.... and other times you get huffy and say well I haven't seen you in weeks, even though I saw you the day before.

You have been working ridiculously hard lately in your room moving cluttered stack from one corner to the other. You spend hours busily working away, to the outside world it would look like nothing has been done but I can tell the piles have moved. You say you just want to make it "Beautiful!"

I love how much you love Everett. You adore him even though sometimes you are not quite sure what to do with him. Your not too comfortable with him crawling all over now, you go pick him up and sit with him.

Sometimes I think Heaven can't come soon enough so I can get you back. In some ways I feel like we never really got to have our time. One of us always taking the other for granted. Is that how life is? we never appreciate what we have, the relationships we have.

I am so proud of you. You are courageous and brave. I wish you could understand how much I love you! How my heart swells with love for you but I think in some ways you do!

A Mother's Love

As I approach my first mother's day there are alot of things on my mind. For one I am just in complete awe and supreme gratitude to my Mom who raised 3 kids on her own! I am a mere 11 weeks into raising a son with the most incredible father at my side and it still can be overwhelming.

I always knew I wanted to be a Mom. I always wanted to have kids, and several of them, but having Everett has been so much more than I could have ever imagined.

 The love that I have for that sweet boy feels like it can literally burst my heart. I feel like there is never enough time in the day to cuddle and hold him. Like I could kiss him until my lips fall off. I could smile and laugh with him till the end of days.

The love I share for Everett and with him is like no other. It's a bond I could never understand until now.

Everett, Thank you for making me a Mom and especially getting to be Your Mom! I love you bunches and bunches!!

 

 

A Concert for Girl Time.... 8 days left

Last night in an effort to do something fun and different I talked all the ladies in my family into going to the Francesca Battistelli Concert. Mom has a constant craving for music, especially Christian or Kenney Chesney, and I felt it would be a great opportunity to spend some time together before things actually get crazy with wedding bonanza. Tammy, Neeley, Kelsey and Nana all were gracious enough to join in. The night I must say started off a little chaotic as all things in our family tend to but we managed to wrangle it together. Sitting to the far left of the stage having only a profile view of the artists we jammed, sang, jumped, threw our hands in the air and praised God for his blessings together!  As soon as we sat down Mom started fumbling through her purse, when I asked what she was looking for she said her phone. I asked why and she said just wait in a minute they are all gonna have their phones up, I kinda laughed thinking no they won't. As the band The Afters began singing their single Light Up the Sky, they asked everyone to put their phones up, and of course at that moment Mom couldn't find her phone! It was a great and uplifting time spent with the people I love so dearly!

Today I am running through mental checklists in my head as I down Zicam and Mucinex DM to combat a cold that may be trying to show itself. This weekend I will remove all my belongings except what I need for next week  from my Mom and Nana's house into the cleaned out and organized closets Drew and I will now share. Honeymoon attire is hanging neatly all together in a closet next to my clothes for Santa Fe ready to begin the journey.

Anxiety is high. Will everything I have planned for the last 6 months really work? Is there something major I am forgetting, it feels like there is. When am I going to finish spray painting? Gosh I am just so ready to be on a beach in Jamaica!

"The huge flumes from the fire"

My Mom is awesome!
 I adore her!
She makes me laugh, she makes me want to pull my hair out.

This past weekend I was given a beautiful shower from several family friends who attend church with my Mom and Nana. People who have known our family since long before I was apart of it. It was such a wonderful time to have precious women who didn't even know me, love my family enough to offer their time and money to put on a beautiful shower for Drew and I. Hopefully I will have pictures from the shower soon to share.

This disease we are fighting has it's unwanted flare ups and one reared its ugly head at the shower. My mom decided I didn't "talk" to her enough at the shower and by the end wanted very little to do with me. Now for those of you who have been given or even attended a wedding shower you know there is little time to sit and discuss with anyone much less people you see everyday. It is a time for greeting the guests, meeting new friends, thanking hostesses, not to mention being parked in a chair to open gifts for an hour and half. I encouraged my Mom to come sit to my left and watch me open as Neeley wrote my gifts down on my right.

We have seen jealousy become a problem for my Mom and Neeley and Kelsey seem to be hot targets for her when it comes to me. The rational side of her brain completely disappears at times not realizing that she would be unable to write down my gifts but thinking she needed to be in that position, nevermind the fact that I begged her to come sit  with me and each time I opened a present looked to her to show it off she was looking away or mingling with guests.

I write these stories not to embarass my sweet Mom or tease her but to share these very real moments in our lives at this point in time. To give a glimpse into what it is to live with Alzheimer's.

Last night I came home to find Mom and Nana sitting side by side on the couch, Nana drinking her nightly glass of wine she has taken on as a fight against her lack of sleep. I sat and watched them laughing for a minute together and was struck by the precious image.  A mother who in her 80's is caring again for her daughter, a daughter who in her 50's cares for her mom. They worry about one another when they are apart. It is a precious relationship.

I joined them and we sat together looking throught the church directory at people who attended the shower with Fox News on in the background. Listening absentmindedly to the new reports of the day and the man hunt happening in California, Mom exclaims that "The cabin had huge flumes from the fire!" Nana and I die laughing as Mom goes back to what she is doing before she realizes she must have said something wrong but not quite sure what it was. We laugh about it for a long while after this, just three girls all in a different battle with Alzheimer's but madly in love with one another.

And so the changes begin...

When you get engaged and you have a beautiful sparkly ring on your finger and you think that with that comes just a bag full of rose petals to be dropped at your feet constantly and that "ohhh nothing can be complitated or wrong again because I am engaged to the man of my dreams"... let me tell you that is just the beginning.

Planning a wedding is stressful. Being in charge of the finances for your wedding is STRESSFUL! add on to that you are t- 9 weeks and life is changing all around... Stressful!

This weekend we moved Drew and I both out of our houses. Him out of a little box he had been sadly sleepnig in since October and me out of my nice two bedroom perfectly decorated home. He moved into our new house that is in shear chaos now but hey we have cable! I was fortunate enough to get to stay with my Mom and Nana until the wedding arrives. I am so incredibly blessed to have a wonderful place to stay for two months but change is hard, especially for me anyway it comes.

So after a crazy stressful weekend full of unneccesary arguments we are situated in our new living spaces and counting down the days.

Here are some pics of my mom from her birthday celebration on Friday.

Counting down...

I am anxiously counting the days and meticulously preparing for this day. As time goes by quicker and quicker I am more and more excited about what this moment signifies and the promises Drew and I will be making to one another and to the Lord. Sitting with him in our new home last night stirred so many emotions in me as everytime I look at him I cannot wait to claim him as my Husband.

This weekend we along with my mom, Aunt Tammy, Kelsey, Lane and Neeley are all traveling to Santa Fe to prepare for the day 57 days from now. Meetings with florist, caterer, dj, will take up our Saturday but I am so excited to be in the place we will be wed. Time is passing very quickly!

27 things to be greatful for

I had a truly wonderful birthday! I slept in.... till 9. Woke up to have coffee with my Nana and Neeley, such a wonderful treat. Went to lunch with my Family, caught an afternoon movie followed by a little meandering through Target, and topped it off at dinner with my precious friends and a night cap at our new house! I couldn't have asked for a better day. Drew sent me this beautiful arrangement of flowers in the morning before I started my day.

As I look forward to the year that age 27 hold for me I want to reflect on some things I am thankful for (in no special order)...

1. I am so Thankful the Lord has given me such a precious man who truly completes me. He is a gift!

2. I am Thankful for the nearness of my Mom and Nana, it is so fun having them so close to me.

3. I am Thankful for my health. As I witness others around fighting with theirs I become more gratful for mine.

4. I am thankful for a warm place to live, on these cold nights and days I cannot imagine not having a cozy place to sleep.

5. I am so thankful for a cousin who is my sister, partner in crime and best friend!

6. I am Thankful for an aunt who would do anything in the world for me and treats me as her own.

7. I am thankful for Kelsey who's sunshine brightens my days.

8. I am thankful for the gift of friendship from some truly amazing girls who are always there when I need them.

9. I am thankful for a job that I enjoy and a boss who is pleasant and amazing to work for.

10. I am thankful for a steady income that comes twice a month with no worries.

11. I am thankful for having a gift of creativity that I can exercise in many different ways.

12. I am thankful for brothers who are doing well and growing up into amazing men.

13. I am thankful for the friendship of those surrounding my mom, who have patience with her and care enough to spend time with her.

14. I am thankful for ladies who have stepped out of the woodworks to host a lovely wedding shower for me.

15. I am thankful for the girl scout cookies being sold on every corner.

16. I am thankful for facetime so that I can chat with my precious niece anytime and see her adorable face.

17. I am thankful to live in a nation where I can worship my God openly and without shame.

18. I am thank for a dependable car that starts when I need to go somewhere and has heat on these cold mornings.

19. I am thankful for craigslist as a way to sell of unwanted furniture without having a grage sale!

20. I am thankful for market street united's lunchables for grownups, amazing!

21. I am thankful for the legacy my Grandy left behind.

22. I am thankful for a God who is so much bigger than politics, al queda and the president.

23. I am thankful that my fiance' knows how to do dishes and clean up the house and that he allows me to do whatever makes me happy when decorating our new home.

24. I am thankful for the happiness Cooper shows me everytime I come home even though it can be overwhelming at times.

25. I am thankful for a family who stands behind and beside me no matter what.

26. I am thankful for the forgiveness the blood of christ allows me to recieve.

27. I am thankful for the gift of a dream wedding from my amazing mother!

Welcoming a New Year

Our New Year was spent with our dearest friends and family playing games waiting for the ball to drop.

I can't quite comprehend that it is already January 2013.

In less than 88 days I get to marry my best friend. I am trying to relish every moment from here till then as I know it will fly by.

This morning we started off with a New Years Resolution bright and early, working out. As we were driving back to my house tired and worn out a song came on the radio. We both sat in silence listening to this version of a classic song. We looked up at each other both will tear filled eyes as we realized this song struck a cord with our hearts, our relationship and we knew... this would be the first song we danced to as husband and wife.

Changes are coming rapidly as we prepare to move out of our separate homes and into one we will build together starting this weekend. I am soaking up the moments together and apart. And as Neeley has warned me as I cry at just about every touching and not so touching moments, this is the emotional part of getting married.

I am looking forward to a 2013 filled with amazing moments, lots of love and laughter and changes that make me smile.

I hope yours holds the same!

Busy Life

So I have a halfway finished post about our awesome trip to Louisiana for Memorial Weekend but our internet is on the fritz and I can't upload any photos. Believe me you WANT to see the precious, gross, and crazy photos I have to share from our time down there. Hopefully I can upload those soon.

In the meantime life is definitely hit the super fast lane. Can you believe it is already June?!! (well in a few hours anyway.) NUTS. Last week I believe I shared my meltdown about finding a place to live... yeah not pretty. Anyway I decided that over the long weekend I was going to give it up and come back with a fresh attitude on Tuesday. I did and found a charming little duplex for Neeley and I to share our last months together living in. I signed the lease on Wednesday and amongst the groans of my boyfriends wanting a weekend to relax we are planning on jumping ship out of our torturous home and into a happy place this weekend. Our new place is an older house in a great location and has two rooms! I cannot wait to move in and nest over the next couple of days. The best part will be feeling free enough to walk around in our undies, watch tv in the living room and cook dinners at our own house again.

I have been busy trying to wrap up loose ends around the office, with Mom's business and with my photography to kickstart into the next couple months.

We have a very busy summer coming up amongst weddings at Starlight, getting ready for Neeley & Lane's wedding, planning a few getaway trips and me learning and planing for living on my own.

Tonight before I head home to pack pack pack I get to have dinner with the sweetest most special person in the world......

Yeah you can be unbelievably jealous! Its gonna be just her and I. It will be just what I need at the end of this day!

Yankee Fans

The past few weeks have been uneventfully eventful (does that make sense?)! I have just been trying to fumble my way through life that is continuously moving.

We had our first wedding of the season last weekend, and I got to take the photos for it with my new camera and I do believe they are some of the BEST ever taken!




I have been doing alot of baseball watching lately as the seaason is getting in full swing. Having played both basball and softball as a wee girl this is the only professional sport I have had any interest in watching, proabably because it is the only one I know the rules for.  Last week was my favorite series of  the season when  the Rangers played the Yankees. It's always fun to be rooting for the odd team out, since everyone around here pulls for the Rangers, especially Drew. At the beginning of that series the Ranger's old catcher Pudge Rodriguez had a retirement ceremony. It made me instantly miss my Dad. I remember sitting in his lap high in the Arlington Ballpark Stadium seats as Pudge would come up to bat my Dad would hand me the binaculars and tell me to "watch my man." I was a Big Pudge Fan! I loved talking baseball with my Dad and it grinded his nerves as much as everyone elses' that I was a Yankees fan.  But lately I have been thinking alot about why I am a Yankees fan, I mean I am from Texas for pete's sake (which is what everyone always tells me!) I get it!. Anyway as I was watching the Yankees get their butts kicked by the Oriole's last night I realized a large part of the reason I am a Yankees fan is .... my Nana.

I originally liked TheYankees because they were of course from NYC. I always wanted to live there and going to a Yankees home game is still my dream! But for as long as I can remember watching baseball with my Nana and Grandy, my Nana has rooted for the Yankees while Grandy in disgust of both of us cheered louder for the Rangers. She does root for the Rangers to win too, but there has always been a soft spot in her heart for the Bronx Bombers. I think her love for them rubbed off on me. As we sat watching their pathetic display of cometitive sportsmanship last night with disgust on both of our faces the camera swept to both of our favorite player, Derek Jeter, and as we both "awwed" over him I realized she is a huge reason that I began to be a Yankees fan. She was the first person who made me think it was OK to root for a team that was  not the Rangers. So Thank you to my Nana for embracing individuality as much as me and encouraging my crush on Derek Jeter!!

Valentines Day and the crash afterwards

Yesterday was an absolutely Lovely day.... LOVELY I say, as a day of "LOVE" should be!

I started my day off with an extra good workout. Ran further and pushed myself harder. Felt great afterwards.

I went home and did the dishes at 7:00 in the morning, I was in THAT good of a mood.

When I got to work my sweet boyfriend was waiting for me with a BEAUTIFUL arrangement of flowers.

I had lunch with Mom and Nana at this little cafe I love. They have the best mixed greens salad with fruit and nuts on it... DELICIOUS. They accompany it with a great yellow squash quiche that just makes me feel happy when I eat it.

I gave them both their Valentine's Day gifts. Mom a purse that she wanted, Nana a giftcard to Barnes and Noble for her next book to purchase on her Nook.

 Valentine's Day is so much more to me than just about sharing Love between a man and a woman it is to share Love that you feel for everyone in your lives, so they got treated extra special yesterday!

I went back to work and it was a wonderful day, there is something about having a beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting next to you that makes you smile.

Afterwork I ran to Mom and Nana's house... they had a little something waiting for me. Amazing shower gel from Victoria Secret from Nana and Awesome black booties from Mom. It was like my Birthday all over again... totally feeling Loved on by all.

Kelsey was there so I gave her her Valentine's Day goodie bag... lots of PINK... nailpolish, blush, lip gloss, and some mascara (it wasn't pink), she was on cloud 9. Kelsey is our Valentine's Angel so we love on her extra hard this day.

I sent an awesome yellow/gold orchid to Aunt Tammy.

Drew and I made a steak meal together last night complete with Outback style green beans, mashed potatoes, and scallops (definitely need to work on my scallop cooking!!)

I gave him the two Harley Davidson shirts I had picked out... the only two I could tolerate seeing him in that didn't look too biker boy.

He gave me the most beautiful silver necklace with a Canadian diamond with the matching earrings.... my guy knows how to treat me well!

It was such a perfect night with just the right combination of romance and chill. We watched the latest episode of Parenthoold while lounging on the couch.

I went home to find a sweet spaghetti set from Neeley and an awesome bag with chocolate wine and fun goodies from my Aunt Tammy.

Wonderful Valentines Day!

So I woke up this morning still riding the Valentine's Day high. Jumped out of bed got ready to work out just knowing I would have as good of a workout or better than yesterday.

I was pulling away from my house headed down the street as my snooze alarm went off... I took my eye off the road for 1 sec to locate the noise and BOOM.... I ran right into the neighbor two houses down's car parked on the street. I moved it about 5 feet and caused it to go up on the curb.

Neeley had just left the back of the house and was coming down the street as I waved her down,  just knowing that the car was totally smashed in on the passenger side. Luckily my damage wasn't too bad and his didn't look that bad. We banged on the poor guys door for 15 minutes and he could have cared less at 5:30 in the morning.

My first wreck ever that was my fault... EVER! Drew and Aunt Tammy came over to assess the damages both deciding it was ok to drive.

I realized this is the life of a grown-up. I didn't freak out, I calmly assessed the situation and took mature steps to rectify it. I don't know it is because I work in insurance or that I know I am capable of handling this situation but I felt like a grown-up.

Diamonds one night... a wreck the next morning. Doesn't get more real than that!

Late Birthday Post

A few weeks ago we celebrated Mom's Birthday. Her Birthday fell on the same night that little miss Kelsey had a Cheerleading performance at WT. So we all went down to watch Kelsey in this year's routine of her squad with CheerTX then headed to dinner to celebrate Mom.

There is not a happier girl in the world than this one when she wears that uniform. She is such a delight to watch-- her entire squad gives you the chills to watch and see the Joy that cannot be robbed from these sweet kids when they get to do something they love so much!

Mom doing what we all now call "the Kelsey"-- a pose that MUST be done when you recieve new clothes for your Birthday. Nana, Aunt Tammy, Kelsey herself and now Mom have all done it for their birthdays!

Mom had her helper beside her the whole time while she opened presents and celebrated. Our two red heads!

and Finally here is Mom with the BEA-U-TIFUL flowers that Patrick sent to her- nothing better than getting flowers on your birthday!

I didn't take any photos on my birthday - but I had a great one! I woke up Sunday morning (we go to church Satruday nights so I got to sleep in) and Neeley fixed me a breakfast for champions served in bed no less! As we snuggled in to watch a Lifetime movie on tv Drew came over with the most lovely striped red roses he then made me some delicious pancakes! I hung out for most of the day and then had a wonderful dinner of Chicken  and Rice ( my FAVORITE) at Nana and Mom's and was surrounded by lots of family to celebrate. I even got a homemade German Chocolate Cake by my Aunt Tammy-- The BEST!

Sad to post about January birthdays in February but that is how life has been rolling. Hoping to catch up and post more soon!



Bucket List

So the Photo a day thing majorly hit the floor the last few days. I honestly cannot tell you exactly how I have spent my days but they have been filled with craziness. Things constantly coming up. Life on the go! This weekend I did FINALLY do a little craftiness.... I had seen these Terrarium's all over Pinterest and Blogs I follow and I decided that it was the perfect thing to bring a little life into our otherwise drap entry way. Drew accompanied me to Lowe's after church Sunday morning where I got some low light/ dry plants... meaning VERY low maintenence. I put them in some glassware I had inhereited from Mom and Nana's move with some lace around the container to add some appeal. I love them. They are so precious and even go great with the Jimmy Hendrix poster living behind them.

I have been thinking ALOT about life and death lately. It seems that everwhere I turn some tragic event is happening to people around me. Kelsey lost her High School principal after a routine  knee surgery resulted in blood clot causing days on life support. A local 15 year old girl went to be with the Lord after a long battle with cancer. Sadness/ Tragedy/ Loss is everwhere.

It reminds me that I/We are not alone in our grief of losing those we love. It reminds me that this place we live is not our home but a temporary place to reside where we have lots of work to do.

Throughout all the sadness their are moments of JOY and CELEBRATION to have.. there is LIFE LEFT TO LIVE! Each day should be used as the gift it is for we are not guranteed another.

Watching my mom get up each morning to work out with Drew and I reminds me of the life she has left that should be left exploring and taking adventures. I want to plan a family trip for my brother's, mom and I to take to spend time together this year. I have also been thinking about things I want to do in my life, adventures I want to take... so Drew and I wrote a little Bucket List last night. Obviously there is so much more to add to it as we discover more and more and things to be crossed off as we accomplish them. But for now here is a peak at our Bucket List. 

"There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them."  Charles D. Gill



Day 10: Childhood

I was a little conflicted with what to do for this photo. I thought about dragging out some old childhood photos of cutesy little Meg from her younger days. Then I thought maybe some photos one of my bestest friends from our days of being Awesome in High School.

But then it hit me! My most FAVORITEST toys from my Childhood years, American Girl Dolls, were sitting up in my closet only recently being given back to my care from my Mom who has been keeping close tabs on them since I moved out of her house.

I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world to own these American Girl Dolls. I had 3 and they went EVERYWHERE with me. We had matching outfits and accessories. I would read to them and sleep with them. We would camp out together in our matching sleeping bags. We would even convine for meetings with my cousins and their American Girl Dolls.

When my Mom moved here it was time for me to take responsibility of my own childhood toys and I brought them home with me. Immediately I opened up their cases and redressed them, brushed their hair, and sorted through all the clothes and accessories I had for my friends. Something kinda funny struck me though as I took a look at the 3 dolls I just HAD TO HAVE when I was younger...

The first American Girl Doll I recieved, who was hand selected by myself, was named Molly. I choose her specifically for her name and the fact that she wore glasses. The perfect combination of my Mom and Myself. My third doll was a "create your own." Most little girls I am sure "created" their dolls to look just like them, I however created mine with red hair to look like my mom and named her the first "M" name I could think of... Marissa.  As a young girl and even now I wanted to be just like my mom. She is my Hero!

My second doll was Addy, an African-American slave girl from Mississippi. As I stared at her at her for the first time in 10 years it dawned on me that from even in my early childhood years I have always wanted to adopt an African little girl. That passion and desire is still very strong in my heart and I know one day it will happen. So strange the things that you do as a child that bring meaning to your adulthood dreams.

Friday Funday

So today was Crazy busy day at work. We were a man down and everyone wanted to bother me with insurance question. Nevertheless... I made it through to
What was supposed to be a nice, slow- paced, relaxing weekend but I'm afraid it will be filled with drama.

Moving on I realized I was 3 days behind in my photo- challenge so I am catching up...

4. letterbox

This is a mailbox my mom had in her house in Abilene that I Always Always loved and ended up inheriting it when she moved. It holds all my cards at work. Notice my SAWEET faux aquarium Aunt Charlotte and Doss gave m for Christmas. The fish actually swim around! The itty bitty globe is a pencil sharpener and it along with the lead elephant beside it belonged to my Great Grandmother.

5. Something I wore

I am a HUGE fan of Gold for those of you who don't know. I have had this gold watch for a couple of years now and for Christmas Drew gave me this Beautiful sparkly gold chain bracelet. He did such a good job! I also saw this tutorial on a blog of how to make these hex link bracelets and gave it a shot. Mine is tied on so I wear it every day, I also made some for my close girlfriends here.

6. Something that makes me smile

I have a potentially HUGE change in the works that would be the most unbelievable blessing in my life. I got this fortune in a fortune cookie yesterday and it makes me smile. It says" Star light Star Bright Your wish will come true tonight." It didn't come true that night but maybe a near future night it will. I couldn't get my phone to get a clear picture, sorry it completely out of focus.


Hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Never Forget!

Posting More... Photo Challenge

First day back at work in 2012 and boy has it staretd with a bang. I am so happy to report that one day into the new year (okay technically two but I am under the impression that on Holiday's some resolutions dont count, such as working out.) I kept my promise to myself (and Drew) and went and worked out this morning, then spent quiet time in a devotional with God. It has defnintely led me through the day already with a new outlook and more positive attitude.

In another effort to not be so lazy I have wanted to up my blog posting. It was every day for a while and has now slowly got less and less... I mean I  haven't even posted about Christmas yet! And I have a TON of photos waiting to be shared. Anyway I saw this photo challenge on Pintrest and decided it would be a great way to reintroduce myself to documenting everyday life to blog about. Hope you Enjoy!



So for Day One: a Photo of You (no not YOU, Me!)

Here is a photo of me and my sweet niece Peyton from last weekend when she was visiting.

 

See you tomorrow :)