No Longer Lazy!

Here are a few of my favorites from this Christmas season. Enjoy!

Dear Domestic Divas

Dear Domestic Divas,

This post is about all things domestic-that I haven't been gifted with. I have always wanted to make a patch work quilt and the desire has grown even stronger since I learned I am having a girl. I think there are a few things that have stopped me from trying-no sewing machine, time, the need of a teacher-but the biggest thing is the fear of failing.

I can so see my squares totally crooked and not matching. This Christmas I was given some very sentimental and domestic pillows with pictures on them (Thank you Ann!) and realized how special things when you can say my two hands made that. On Christmas day my niece pranced in for our big dinner in a handmade dress my sister just learned to make. I was blown away! It was perfect! All of the ribbon was straight and the fabrics and ribbon matched perfectly. Here are some pictures below.

I told Mario a few months ago I would love for our baby girl to go home dressed head to toe in an outfit I had made with a matching blankie. Of course, he encouraged me to "do it!". Not that easy I thought but now that I am seeing so many people around me making hairbows and tutus and dresses I think I may try something. Not sure what yet but if anyone wants to offer suggestions or FREE lessons just let me know!

Willing To Try,

Megan

Christmas 2009 Christmas 2009

Cola's new doll.

Yep, he thinks he is a stud.

Nothing cuter than overalls!

What a blessed year 2009 has been! I almost hate to see it go it has been so good. I think I am learning life really does come in seasons. There has never been a season of abundance that hasn't been followed by a season of famine and never a season of trial that isn't followed by victory. I am praying and hoping for a wonderful year in 2010.

This Christmas was great. Of course you can not look at a house full of family, gifts under the tree, food on the table and reflect on the birth of Christ without knowing you are truly blessed. That is how I felt this year. Our normal Vining traditions continued strong and Livi threw a new tradition of tantrums with tears every 5 minutes and Dalen a new tradition of disobeying and saying, "You stop it!" It is insane that on days like Christmas your kids can act however they deem necessary and you are still thankful and smiling at the end of the day. Well, I'm not sure my Dad was still smiling...ha! Actually now that I really think about it I'm not sure I was either lol.

On Christmas Eve Dalen joined my dad, sister, brother-in-law and Livi at the movies to see Alvin And The Chipmunks. Oh my word! Nothing has had a greater impact on Dalen than this movie. He LOVED it! My sister said he kept holding out his hand for more popcorn without budging so he wouldn't have to take his eyes off the screen. I took him again the day after Christmas. I figure I might as well take advantage of being able to enjoy small things like this with just him while I can. Please enjoy the video of his rendition of Single Ladies that he learned from this movie.

At any spontaneous moment we are shocked out of our skin when he screams ALLLL-VIIIIIIN! followed by thunderous laughter. Once our hearts begin beating again and our ears stop ringing we then laugh too.

Dalen enjoyed bubble bath after bubble bath at my parents and his biggest enjoyment was opening up THREE drum sets. One from us and two electric sets-one from my dad and one from my sister. Is it any wonder that he listens to no one and follows his own desires? He is the most loved and spoiled kid I know. My favorite gift for Cola Leese was a newborn Cabbage Patch Doll that sits in a carrier. Her name is Aubrey Andrea and I think I'll keep her boxed up until she is ready to appreciate her. At one point Dalen was extremely confused about this baby. I kept explaining that doll is NOT yours it's your sister's. For a while he thought the doll was actually her. He looked at me and said, "Mommy! Let sissy out! She lives in box!" lol. I can't win for losing trying to make sense with Dalen.

I am so excited about tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium that my sister got me. We haven't set it in stone yet but I think we may save them for our Anniversary. We love the Aquarium! Dalen has yet to go so who knows, it may be our first family affair of four. We had a wonderful Christmas! I am convinced my parents should pass on downsizing for the sake of our growing family. It was awfully crowded this year and I can only imagine what years to come will be like.

Last year I began a tradition that Dalen and I would wear Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve and the morning of Christmas. I picked the prettiest red and winter white pair of pajamas out at Belk. I've had them for weeks, bagged and ready to go to carry on our tradition. I remember holding them up and thinking these are massive! They will surely fit-being they were a size XL in women's. To my surprise and disappointment the pants didn't pull up past my thighs and the shirt was breath taking and the seams began to crack at the shoulders. So I found myself rummaging through my moms closet, naked trying to find some of her pajamas I could squeeze into. Finally I found a pair of black silk pajamas. Instead of celebrating in my festive red feel goods I felt as though I was mourning the birth of Christ as I was swallowed in darkness. It will be a memory to laugh at...later.

All in all this gal has nothing to complain about this year. My two beautiful babies, wonderful husband, supportive family and loyal God are all I need. If I weren't so lazy I'd post more pics of our holiday...maybe I will later.

Daily Word

I get a "Daily Word" in my inbox everyday from Rev Run. If you have ever seen the show you know exactly what a "Daily Word" is. I just love the short and sweet, encouraging, faith based words I get. Today's was awesome-thought I'd share.

"Do not stare at your problems and glance at God if you want a breakthrough & your prayers to be answered, On the contrary WE MUST glance at our problems and Stare at God-THAT'S THE TICKET!"

Mom Mom's House

Last night was a fun and calm night. Dalen was so well behaved and we joined cousin Yibby at my parent's house. Dalen just loves "Mom Mom's house". Right now my mom's house is covered in Christmas decor and Dalen just loves all her Santas and the sparkling lights.

Leaving work Mario told me to meet him at my parents and we would just eat there while he finished some things on their computer. Luckily, I remembered Dalen was out of his tear free bubble bath there and grabbed some at Big Lots on the way. He can NOT visit Mom Mom's house without a bubble bath in their big Jacuzzi tub. On our way upstairs, in pranced Livi and we decided to throw in together. They were both so well behaved. I only had to get on to Dalen like 10 times as opposed to 100-what an improvement! No, they were both really good.

After Livi got out of the tub Dalen remembered she had peed on the floor last time I let them bathe together and so he demanded, "Hey, Livi! Pee on da floor!" It was hilarious. He doesn't forget anything.

Waiting for dinner.
My parents decided to take the kids on a ride to look at Christmas lights.
Mom later said they didn't do much looking but just talked and played in the back seat.

Here is Happy Livi. I loved her new pajamas covered in cupcakes.

This video is horrible quality but I had to post it. Watch in the background as little Livi tries her darnedest to get up in Papa's recliner. I purposely didn't help her just to see if she would keep trying and to see if she could make it up there. Oh and if your eyes are quick enough to notice a dark hairy flash-that's Dalen. He ran forever in circles...who knows-at least it kept him occupied.

Square 1

Have you ever been there? Square 1? I think it's on the corner of Failure and New Beginnings (which I seem to arrive at so very often). I have experienced a harsh disappointment in my personal life (that I will possibly blog about in the future) that has me right back where I have started from so many times.

Square 1.

It is a somber place I hate to visit but life often takes sharp turns and sometimes we don't get to choose our destination. Square 1 is that place that is constructed of four corners, that are harsh and defined, and four walls that have you feeling constricted and isolated. You are living everyday life and out of nowhere there is that dreaded place, Square 1.

Have you ever driven down a road and seen a building almost completely finished and you shake your head in amazement and think, "Wow! I never knew that was even being built!"? I have done this so many times and it's exactly what happens every time I have to visit Square 1. You are laying the foundation of success and building walls with hard work and out of nowhere BAM! you aren't standing in the masterpiece you had in mind but rather a place that is so dreaded words can't describe it.

Square 1, it's the place you venture out on an endeavor to which you hope to never return. It's the start of a journey that you hope will take you somewhere-anywhere bright and hopeful. You know that if you return to this place it most likely means failure and there you are again, right back where you started from.

On your determined days, you begin to build again and most of the time you have no blue print. This place is a place of uncertainty and lacks direction but you build anyway. This is where I am today. I don't want to be here-in this place of failure and constant wonderment but I am. I am not sure why it seems some supernatural force can telaport me to this place so quickly and it take so long be teleported out but I am definitely here.

My former blog ending talking about how He's still working on me and I have to believe He is. Square 1 may be that painful, refining workshop of His that he uses to take us to places we never thought we would go. I'm not sure but I know I don't like it. I so often jokingly blog that I will write a book about this or that but I am declaring now I will write a book one day called Square 1. It's the only topic I think I can tackle, not because I am some smart person but because my life seems to be drawn to this place over and over again. Its a familiar place, yet different every time I visit.

You would think I would be good at this place but I'm not. You would assume I would know its ins and outs but I don't. You could imagine I'd be used to the feeling of having to return but it still hurts, only worse every time. My worst fear is that every progress my life makes I will be brought back to this place.

Ever been there?

10 Things I Hate About ME

The older get and the more responsibility I accumulate, the more I realize I have so many details about my character and personality that I hate. These details are things that I am not sure will ever change and then there are habits that I have realized I will never outgrow. I have learned one thing: you don't outgrow habits and until you are pro-active enough to kill these habits daily they are merely a nuisance, buried alive that will continually resurface just to haunt you.

I have to admit I know what I hate about myself. I know what qualities I would change about myself if I had a magic wand-but I don't. To be honest, most of these struggles and characteristics have been present most of my life and this brings me to the first thing I hate about myself-I honestly do not know how to change my character. I don't know how to hold my tongue and to be gracious to the people who have hurt me so badly or how to forget these wrongdoings. But that's not to say I don't try. I could look at this post and cheerfully say, "Well, I know how NOT to change these things." And that's the truth. Try after try seems to bring me to the same place of failure.

Maybe there is someone out there as vulnerable as myself to publicly post all the things you hate about yourself, probably not, but here goes nothing.

1. I hate, that what I hate, never changes no matter how hard I try to change it.

2. I hate, that every time I give someone the benefit of the doubt they seem to fail me and I am too angry to let these failures go.

3. I hate that there have been times in my life where I got hurt and offended when people aren't as loyal to me as I have been to them and I especially hate that these happenings still hurt. Never give loyalty and expect anything in return.

4. I hate that I was naive enough to believe that if I worked hard enough and paid so much money for a college education that it would bring me financial stability and my dream job.

5. I hate that I hate my weight but I am too lazy to do anything about it and always seem to eat when I think about it. That just makes NO sense.

6. I hate that after being a mom for two years I can't honestly say I am any better of a mom now, then I was the first time I held my son.

7. I hate that I continuously grieve the absence of my friends from college and my youth instead of enhancing my life by making new friends.

8. I hate that I allow the ignorance of others to make me sin in areas of anger and a bad attitude. I should pay more attention to myself than others.

9. I hate that I allow trials to be taken personally when really we are all subject to anything no matter how hard we have worked, how healthy we are or where we came from.

10. I hate that while writing this list I am thinking this will be my list next year and the next and the next. I am a pessimist.

Am I to 10 already? Wow, maybe I should entitled this post 10+ Things I Hate About Me. The reason I hate these things so much about myself is because when I think of who I want to be in life and where I want to be in life I realize daily that these are some of the very things that are hindering me from being that person and getting to that place.

Ultimately, I just want to be a good mom, in a place that is stabilized by love and happiness. I want to acheive some amount of goodness in my life that others are touched by and I know I will only get to these places when I have a clear pathway that shows me how. It's like the old children's church song: He's Still Working On Me-only this song can ring true for all of us.

Card Me

Oh my gosh! I love Christmas cards! I love greeting cards period! I think there is just something so neat about a few lines that can explore how you're feeling and it was all written by a complete stranger!

I got this one yesterday and I had to bring it to work with me because it's one of my favorites. She's sitting on my desk.

It reads:

Jesus Christ Was Born

His simple garments offered no evidence of his royalty;

His humble birthplace gave no indication of his influence or power:

His lovely bed of hay spoke nothing of his kingly throne or crown.
-Roy Lessin

I just loved this well written card. My favorites are cards where you open them only to find a new family photo falling out.

Worry-free Weekend

This weekend was a great one! It was busy but good. I was really upset that I forgot to sign Dalen up for Parent's Night Out, being that I have NONE of my shopping done for Christmas but Friday turned out to be a nice night at home.

Saturday we took Dalen to the mall to meet up with my parents and Livi. My mom always gets their pictures done together with Santa and the Easter Bunny. We don't discourage Santa talk but we don't really encourage it either. Somehow, Dalen is already fascinated by that white haired man who works miracles for children.

We were a little early getting to the mall and Dalen sat and watched Santa from afar. He was itching to get to him and sit on his knee. He wasn't scared or anything and he somehow knew just what to do and say when he got up there. I guess he learns this from school?? He told Santa about 16 times he wanted a choo choo train and drums. We are working on the train. I have yet to find one with parts big enough for a child his age and of course I want it be one that goes around on a track. I have got to get my shopping done!

Here Dalen is later on in the day when he went back to visit Santa with Aunt Mel.

Here is Dalen holding a sign that says, "Santa Stop Here". He got this from Santa himself. His santa hat came from Aunt Mary.

And here they are...the crazy cousins. Poor Livi was squeezed half to death before she even got to Santa. Saturday night Dalen went to Aunt Mel's and ate cupcakes, visited Santa again and began to watch Finding Nemo. He was taken to Nemo On Ice earlier in the year and loved it but never saw the movie. He has watched it over and over again! He LOVES this movie.

Sunday my parent's church were having a Christmas production and Dalen and me visited. At the end they did cardboard testimonies. I can't even type about them without tearing up. There were about 50 people involved and it was one of the most powerful and moving things I have ever seen. My sister took part and Dalen thought it was soooo cool that she got to be on stage with all the lights and Christmas trees. You never know what people have experienced until you see one of these moving presentations.

One of my favorites was a girl I grew up with who's cardboard read: "Dyslexic, told I wouldn't graduate High School." The other side said, "Lee HONORS graduate." The ending testimony read "I should be dead." The other side read, "Alive In Him." How powerful! I am so thankful for all God has done in my life and in my family. It's amazing to see how he is moving amongst others too.

My Life With A Son

I am the youngest of the three girls. It was 60+ years on my mom's side of the family before a single boy was born. Needless to say, I am much more familiar with dealings of women than men. In fact I was terrified to have a boy! I was constantly wondering what in the world life would be like with a son.

Yesterday Dalen attempted color with a white crayon on white paper. He began to shout,"It's NOT worting (working)! GRRR!" After about three times of him doing this he lifted the crayon in the air with both hands and snapped the crayon right in half and then threw it over his shoulder like it was last week's trash. Yep, that's my life with a boy.

Oh my gosh, I could fill blog after blog with stories like this. Life is just so interesting with a son. I can't help but to now wonder what it will be like to have a daughter! Dresses, prissy shoes, doll babies, kitchen sets, soft pastels, hairbows (ugh, ugh, ugh) and so much more! Yikes! It's kind of scary! I say now I won't decorate my baby's hair like a Christmas tree with obnoxiously massive bows or torture her with panty hose as a newborn OR have her mistaken for the Pink Panther due to a plethora of pink-but I guess the truth is you never know what you will do. Babies come and your world changes. Your days are enhanced by the happiness they bring and you are encouraged by the little things they learn and in the midst of these times you find yourself doing those things. The things your mom did that you swore you would never do to your own child! The things you read in a parenting magazine because you are so desperately exhausted you will try anything. One thing is for certain-son or daughter-life will continue to be interesting!

PS-Mark my words though-I promise-Swear-Vow-to NEVER, EVER put my girl in those socks. You know those socks that are dressy and look like the top of them are being attacked by a lace factory. Those things used to itch the skin right off my bones!

A Few Funnies

I know everyone gets so tired of hearing of Dalen and what I think is funny about him but since he is pretty much the only interesting aspect of my life-here goes nothing.
Saturday night we went to my mom's for chili and to watch the Florida game. Livi was there too. My parents have a great jaccuzi tub and Dalen loves to take bubble baths. So offered to let them take a bubble bath together. They were really good until the end when I tried to wash Livi's hair and Dalen got bubble bath in his eyes. Then once I finally got Livi out of the tub she peed all over herself and the floor. Wonderful!

Lately, I have been a little hotter than usual (hence the late stage of pregnancy) and I guess Dalen has been hearing me saying its burning hot! Once he got bubbles in his eyes he began screaming with his eyes shut, "Oh my word Mommy! Its burning hot!" I tried to explain to him burning is totally different than burning hot. Yeah, try getting a two year to comprehend that with soap in his eyes and his cousin peeing in the floor. He didn't catch on.

Sunday my parents let Dalen go with them to their church because they had a Kids Christmas program. Dalen absolutely loves music and had a great time. When I told him to tell me what they did in the play he said, "They took all our money!" I guess my dad gave him offering money and made him actually give it lol.

After we got home from eating Dalen had a hold of my purse and would NOT give it back. He would run down the driveway and around our cars and say, "No! My money! My purse mommy!" God loves a cheerful giver??

Sunday night we visited a friend with a dog. Dalen's allergies bother him around certain dogs and they definitley flared up Sunday after playing with Coty. His poor eyes turned red and began to itch and water. Once we got home I washed his hands really good and wiped his eyes out with warm water. He loved the warm washcloth so much I thought I would just let him lay down with it on his eyes. He began to say, "Ah! Much better Mommy! Much better!" He looked like a dramatic man who had endured a long day at the office. haha

Last week Dalen's friend Charis came over to make gingerbread trains. They did houses last year and Crystal let the tradition continue by bring the trains over and I got pizza. I know Dalen had a great time and if Charis was able to overlook his bossiness and rude behavior I am sure she did too. Dalen literally ate more candy than he has had in his lifetime. Everytime I turned around his mouth was oozing with M&Ms.

After company left he began to hold his belly and whine. He would walk around and say, "Mommy, my sister hurts!" lol! He is so confused with this pregnancy thing!

Under The Influence: Espresso

Today has been planned a loooong time. Mario and I are cleaning out our guest room to make room for baby #2. We are also moving our bed into another room along with all of our other furniture, registering for my shower and going to get paint samples for the nursery. Exciting day, huh!?

Dalen will be at Parent's Shopping Day Out IF my parent's can get him there in the snow! Yesterday I was reviewing the items I needed for the baby. I was taking my last looks of approval and glancing at the crib and changer and bedding especially. Because cribs are convertible I want to make sure I pick the perfect one so that it will be around a long time.

The crib pictured above is the one that I picked out a loooong time ago. I love it and its a great price! All of the baby's furniture is black. Well, just yesterday (don't ask me how I overlooked it before) I realized that this crib is "Espresso" and that doesn't mean black. Now when you look at an Espresso, like a literal, drinkable Espresso-aren't those black?! Apparently I am color blind! Espresso when referring to furniture means a dark, dark, brown. UGH!

Of course, I was infuriated and began to cry-at work, with a volunteer in my office (luckily she didn't see me). I began to cry on and off all day. You know that pregnancy "glow" people talk about? Yeah, I don't have that. The only glow I get is from the shiny tears I cry. I am the most annoying female EVER pregnant. I hate myself pregnant. When I get upset pregnant its uncontrollable. I cry, sob, shout and will NOT let the issue at hand go.

I came home to just Mario (Dalen had gone to my parents) and told him the whole story. I was sobbing uncontrollably and explained I wanted THAT crib. I wanted to pay THAT price and I wanted to order THAT crib through site-to-store shipping through Wal-Mart which does NOT cost. I also yell like every 4th word to really emphasize my point. Of course, I am sure my husband sat thinking once again-where is a knob? A convenient knob to turn these waterworks down.

My wise and careful husband asks, "Well, did you check to see if it was sold in black too?" *Light bulb on* I began to think and NO I didn't! What a great idea! I am convinced pregnant women shouldn't drive when they are having high hormonal days-it really impairs logical thinking. So he begins googling the crib. The crib wasn't sold in black, only "Espresso". UGH! Then I began to really rant. I point at the crib and ask, "doesn't this look black!!!??? This should be false advertisement!" Then I make him google pictures of Espresso beans so he can see they are more black than brown. LOL!

A lot of people have told me since yesterday, Espresso really does look black. I just don't know. I feel like if I went in that nursery and thought dark, dark brown it would drive me nuts. I think I am going to HAVE to go black. Well, I now know how the furniture color naming people like their coffee-with a little cream and a little sugar, but DEFINITELY NOT black.

Car Crisis

Well fellow bloggers, I think my car is officially toast. My wonderful and positive husband is convinced it may be something inexpensive and minor to fix but I have a feeling it is toast. I must count my blessings (or type them) and say that I have been so very blessed to have never had a car payment before. My parents bought me a car in high school and college and let me keep it once I said, "I do". Mario has always paid cash for his cars. Both of our cars are just old and ready to retire.

My 1995 Toyota Camry started just fine this morning. I went to let it warm up while I put the finishing touches on my make-up and headed off to work. Before I left I heard the most AWFUL noise outside and then my husband walked in informing me the noise was my car. This was at about 8:55 and I begin my work day at 9. I was in need of an oil change, new headlight, interior light and tailight (which was all going to get done this week!) but now it looks like I need a whole new car completely. The car is 14 years old and I don't think it wise to put another penny into repairs.

Recently, I spotted a 1993 Saturn a friend has for sale with only 30 something thousand miles on it! WOW! That is like brand spankin' new to the Hood home. It is also fully loaded, has never been in an accident, and only had one owner who we know and trust. I have never driven a car under 100,000 miles on it-unless it was a rental. I am so interested in this car! I feel it would be so perfect. Maybe not spacy enough for 4 people but it would be reliable and thats what we need.

Immediately my mind began racing-you can't afford a car payment! You will never be approved for a loan! You can't take a payment on at Christmas, that will deplete money for gifts! UGH, My pessimistic mind! When will I ever learn to trust God completely without worrying first?! I have so much faith in God. I believe he can do anything. I have seen him do the impossible, work miracles and never let us go without. My problem is I worry first and trust second.

Today I have really been thinking about my mindset and realized something pretty amazing. If I would trust first I would never have to worry second! When we trust God first with everything, there is never a need to worry because he always provides, protects, heals and does it all just in time. So by faith I am hoping someone's heart will be softened to give us a loan for that car. We don't have great credit because we are young and have never really done payments on anything. We have a few bad things on our credit which I guess hurts a lot when you don't have much good credit to begin with. So please pray for our family as we make a decision and try to get a loan. I know God will be faithful.

wish

Chatty

I was planning on adding some really hilarious videos to this blog, but for some reason my blog will never let me send them directly from my phone. Anyone that can help me....please do!

Just for the sake of any new readers, Dalen gets what is called a Toddler Tattler every time he goes to school. This paper lets us know what kind of mood he was in, his behavior, how he did using the potty and any additional comments from his teacher. The last few T.T.s we have gotten have had "chatty" circled on them. This is the PERFECT word to describe Dalen.

If Dalen isn't ask the same question over and over and then asking why he is singing, making beats with his mouth or just randomly screaming (most of the time for no apparent reason). For a two year old he has a great vocabulary and pronounces things pretty well but there are some things he says that are just hilarious and can only be deciphered by Mario or me.

Here are a few things he has said to us lately. Monday night I let Dalen take a bath with me. I let him get in 1st and then as I was getting in he stood up an pushed my stomach as hard as he could. I have to admit I was furious! When I asked him why he pushed me he said, "Just you Mommy! Not Toda (Cola)!" I got in the tub and began to explain to him very sternly that Cola will be going EVERYWHERE with me for a long, long time and there was just no way to leave her out. He looked as though he were going to cry and then punched the water. I told my sister this and she said it sounds like some hard times are ahead. I couldn't agree more.

Last night after picking him up from school I was talking to him about something and Mario added a few comments and out of nowhere Dalen shouted, "Hush, Mah-yo! Mommy was talking to me! To me!" Where is this coming from!!?? Someone please tell me I am a normal mom! Please tell me your kids talk to you like this on occasion!

Dalen stayed with my parents on Saturday and part of the day on Sunday. It was such a great break. My mom makes killer chili! It is homemade and soooo good. I guess they thought Dalen was ready to stomach that....WRONG! He had the worst gas and diarrhea ever! UGH! When calling my dad to say goodnight he told my dad, "Mom Moms chili makes my butt stinky!" Yes, I couldn't agree with that more either.

I wish I could post some videos of him singing and talking lately. Hopefully sometime soon I will figure this mobile upload thing out!

Thanksgiving

Before I dive into a Thanksgiving post, I thought I would promote Chad Madden who did family Christmas pics for the Vining Family this year. I only have two so far because mom ran into some issues e-mailing the rest.

This pic really is worth 1,000 words. Dalen's out of control and Livi

is crying from being tortured and from a lack of nap.
The Hoods

Chad did a great job taking the pics and was SUPER patient. I'll try and post the rest when they come through!

After 5 1/2 days off from work, I really have nothing to complain about. Our Thanksgiving was great! It was spent traveling, visiting with family, eating, sleeping and no I didn't shop. We traveled to my Grandparent's house in Ocala, Florida for a few days. I hadn't been to their house in ages! We typically stay with our aunt and uncle or cousins. This house is a house full of memories. Memories like being able to strip down to our underwear and run in the rain or memories like us getting paddled with what seemed like Granny's white wooden 2x4 (another post for another day). It felt so great to take Dalen there and share a place I grew to love when I was younger.

I just have to brag on Dalen. He was an amazing traveler! He was literally perfect on the way home. We had a few set backs on the way there. He learned that if he held his private and whined, "something's hurting!" we would stop. After a while of that going on it was just tough for Dalen's hurting parts. He fell asleep at about 7:00 and slept the rest of the way. We had a great time with family and just having time off to ourselves. Here are a few pics of Thanksgiving.

Dalen swinging at my Great Aunt and Uncle's.

Dalen found binoculars and these kept him SO occupied!

The New Us

Well, I finally figured after blogging so long, I should revamp the look of Rookie Parents. I absolutely hate change but for some reason I just new the look of my old blog wasn't what we looked like anymore-so I chose something masculine with a touch femininity (hence the gerber daisy). Thanks to my awesome husband who helped me figure this out. I am so not tech savvy.

I keep checking my blog and every time the page appears its somewhat shocking but I love the new page. Hope my readers like it as well.

PS-The family pic at the top is the pic I took of us on the carriage ride at Dalen's school festival. You can go back a few if you missed that post.

Matter Much??

Ever seen a threesome aired on television?

Am I seriously writing about to blog about one of the most controversial topics ever?

Does it really matter what we watch or listen to?

Should we be mindful of the foundational themes that discreetly underline films, performances, TV Shows, music?

As a Christian, mom, wife and leader I feel like what we watch, listen to and consider entertaining is not only important but says so much about our character and spiritual life. Go ahead, stone me. Call me old-fashioned, super spiritual, conservative or even weird. I've been called worse.

Personally, I am sick and tired of hypocrites sitting on my pue and casting verbal stones about homosexuality but ignoring the teenage pregnancy rate. It's confusing how parents can sit and wonder why their teenage girls do nothing but back bite and gossip while Gossip Girl is anticipated on their television screen every Monday night (I know when it airs b-c I used to be one of the idiots that watched it).

This blog isn't to say I am perfect or that I haven't ever struggled with what I watch or listen to but it is to challenge you as a spiritual leader to be cautious what you allow in your mind and in your home. (Phil. 4:8)

Isn't it sad that there are tolerable sins? There are actual sins that are sending people to hell everyday and yes, we are comfortable with them. Did you know that the penalty for every sin without repentance is the same? If you lie, you will reap death. If you steal, you will reap death. If you are unfaithful to your spouse, you will reap death. If you worship other gods before the one true God you will reap death. (Romans 6:23) We tolerate gossip because it makes us feel important and better about ourselves. We love to hear about our unmarried girlfriend's sexual experiences because it's interesting and liberates curiosity. We are comfortable with these things and tolerate these things because they occur so often they have developed a sense of normalcy. But what about those risque things that creep into our lives and television sets ever so discreetly? Why does that put the Christian society into an uproar.

I have so many girlfriends that watch Gossip Girl. Gossip Girl is built upon a young society of "Manhattan's elite" who love to do nothing more than make other people's lives miserable by spreading their live's worst behavior through text messages. They back bite, cheat on their significant others, engage in drugs, alcohol and sexually explicit acts but it's ok because those sins have somehow become tolerable and normal. Recently this show aired a threesome between Vanessa, Olivia and Dan. This is when you find the Christians going wild! Their facebook statuses talked about it, blogs began to picket against this show. So now all of the sudden this show is off their television sets because they saw two females kissing. What happened to sin being sin? If you are just now bothered by this show, you now more than ever need to repent for your insensitivity to sin-period. You are a cowardly hypocrite for just now turning the channel from such non-sense. That's something you should have never turned on. I know, because I once too watched this show.

So does it? Does it matter what we consume in our everyday lives? Does it matter whether its Adam Lambert shoving another male's face into his genitalia on television or whether its Fergie prancing around in a risque corset that's barely there? Seriously, does it matter? Who cares that Twilight is about vampires (a dead person that comes alive late at night to drink the blood of the living and torment their souls)? Who cares most movies say GD and have underlining themes that deal with demonic activity?

I was so disgusted by the comments from "Christians" who wrote on their facebooks things like "Get that smut off our television" (uh I think that would be your job. it's as easy as pushing a button buddy) " "If facebook had a Adam Lambert just ruined my television set I'd join it" (betcha wouldn't join one to protest Carrie Underwood and her half dressed performance) or what about this one "Adam Lambert is a disgusting queer" (way to lead them straight to the altar!) I am just disgusted. Disgusted by a generation who thinks they know everything when literally we know nothing. Disgusted by people who choose when to be disgusted instead of allowing conviction and burdens to disgust them.

"Titleful"

Dalen and Mario in between time outs hanging our holiday wreath.
Picture text I got at the annual fundraiser.

My clearance dress that was more like a girdle.

I have thought and thought of what to call this blog. I almost titled it "Titleless" until I realized the problem wasn't that I didn't have a title but that I had too many titles and couldn't settle on just one. So I am calling it "Titleful". Other titles I considered were: Disaster Relief, When Perfect Went Out The Window, Terrible Twos, or I Quit.

As I shared earlier, we had a great and exciting day planned for Saturday. My, oh my, Saturday. The day I can't forget but pray I could! Dalen woke us up bright and early. I drug out the ornaments, lights and Mario dug out our artificial tree. This tree was bought in a really nice carrying box however, it fell to pieces and had to be trashed from getting so wet in our storage shed behind our house. Mario had to run to the church to set up the stage and while he was gone I decided to make breakfast. Nothing fancy just some muffins. They were perfect on top until I got them out of the pan and realized they were complete mush on the bottom. I then realized the bottom of our oven still isn't working only the top is heating. You can imagine how delicious these were.

While waiting on Mario to get home, Dalen became so curious with the ornaments. He began throwing them and luckily none busted. After several times of him doing this he was placed in time out. After getting out of time out he sat on the box of ornaments as hard as he could. How none of them busted, I will never know! He was then placed in time out again. Finally, Mario got home and we proceeded to put up the tree. You would think Dalen would be fascinated, excited in awe of this family event but NO he was everything but. He jumped on our strand of lights making half of the strand go out. There stood our tree. Tall, lightless, topperless and skirtless. Let me tell you-she is a beauty.

After finishing the tree, Dalen went down for a nap without lunch because he ate breakfast so late. He kept napping and napping. Finally Mario woke him for his movie and buddy I wish we would have never broken the golden rule of waking a sleeping baby. He was in the whiniest worst mood EVER. I suggested he be taken to a later showing but Mario insisted it would be fine. They ventured off to Planet 51 as I ventured off to the Blind Side- a movie I have waited months to see. The theater was PACKED! My seat was on the 2nd to last row and two kids kept crinkling their popcorn bag as they fought for the next handful. Ugh.

I decided to go get my own snack where I found Mario and Dalen waiting in line as well. Dalen asked me to hold him and I did. After sometime of waiting I put him down and felt something warm and cold on my left side where I held him. Yep, you experienced moms guessed it. Dalen had peed all over me. How this happened I do not know. He had just been asked to the bathroom and had on a fresh pull up but urine always finds a way to get the best of you. There I stood, not knowing what to do and still wondering if this day was really happening. There was no way I could sit through a movie after being peed on. We all left and Dalen never finished his nap.

Saturday night I had to work our annual fund raiser at the 5 Points Museum. I put my lovely clearance dress on and proceeded to hold my breath for the night. I was placed working the door which was nice because it was somewhat quiet and I got to sit while eating on food catered by one of the best in town. After about 30 minutes of being there I notice my foot felt heavy and I heard something behind me everytime I took a step. I looked down to find the complete sole of my shoe had fallen off. Perfect. PERFECT! Not only do I have on the cheapest looking dress ever, I now get to walk around bare foot!

The noise level increased as more wine and beer was consumed. The check out table was bombarded with drunks ready to pay for their auction items that I am sure they don't remember ever bidding on. One man (who had red wine spilled all down the front of him) said, "oh my, aren't you so pretty! You look like a black velveteen goddess." Then there was a long pause as he awkwardly cocked his head to the side and asked, "Did I used to trim your hedges?" Honestly, there is nothing more unattractive then a man who is so drunk he has no idea what he is saying or so obnoxious he looks completely foolish. Another man approached the check out line completely intoxicated and said, "Hey, you pregnant?" I told him I was and he looked to his wife and said, "See, it was that easy to ask and she didn't even get mad." His wife's face grew redder by the second.

I really wish I could realize that there will never, ever be a perfect day. As long as I live, I will endure mishaps, drunks, urine stained clothes, curious onlookers but it still shakes me. I want to live an unshakable life. I want to endure these days with stamina and defense, defeating every distraction and illiminating every frustration by gripping peace.

Sunday came around and before noon Dalen had had his fingers smashed in the church door, fallen off our bed and skinned his back on Mario's bike, fallen down the church steps and bitten a chunk out of his tongue in nursery. Yes, when perfect went out the window may have been the best title.

2010 Just Say No-Part II

I took this picture at the Hamilton Place playground on Saturday. I wish you could see a clear shot of how terrified Dalen was, once he climbed all the way to the top of this dog. He absolutely insisted he do it all alone but once he saw how high up he actually was he began to cry and insist I help him down.

Since I have already been getting my feet wet concerning my Just Say No campaign, this is a little how I have felt. Like I am too high up and saying, "No" leaves me with no way back down. I have never in my life-EVER-had a hard time being decisive or confident in the decision making department. I guess it's just taking me a long time to realize I have way to much I value. Of course, friends and family come first but I have realized I think I value more than I do. Lately I have been asking myself why do you value this event or that outing and I have can't come up with a valid reason I decide right then and there that I don't go or participate.

I have also realized that I lack priorities. Nothing in my life has value and I feel bad making some people more important or certain events more important but it has to be done. This is the only way I will find myself ever saying no. Tomorrow I am so excited to be going to dinner with friends and then to a benefit concert. This is the last Parent's Night Out Mario and I have somewhat separate plans and I am so happy about that. I haven't gotten to spend good quality time with two of my closest friends in what seems like so long so I can't wait to catch up on everything with them.

Saturday is going to be super fun! I can't wait til Saturday! My husband doesn't know it yet but Saturday morning we will wake up and decorate our Christmas tree! WAHOO! SURPRISE MARIO! haha. I can't wait to plug the lights in and see how Dalen reacts! Then I am going to see The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock at the early showing. I am going to sit in peace, alone. I can NOT wait! I have been waiting for this movie to come out forever. While I am in The Blind Side Mario is going to take Dalen to see that Planet 51 movie. I feel ok about us seeing separate things because they still get to enjoy something while I am. Then later Saturday I have to work at our agency's annual fund raiser. It's a dressy event and can I just protest that someone out there make maternity dresses for nice events!! I bought this dress off the clearance rack at TJ MAXX for $20 and it screams, "I was cheap and meant for someone NOT pregnant!" I am still trying to decipher if it looks more like a piece of spandex that got caught in a lawn mower or one of those shredded rag things that the drive thru car wash spins round and round. Trust me-pics of Saturday will come as long as you laugh with me and not at me.

This weekend is full of things I have chosen. Things that have to be done for family or work or things I want to do and it feels SO good. I can't wait to leave Tuesday for Florida and see my grandparents and cousins and rest of my family. Dalen is going to have a blast!

So just so I am not feeling alone...anyone else feel the need to join my campaign?

Bargain Babe*

Just in case you are wondering what the significant of the * by babe is- I totally know that at this point in life and current weight I am not using that word in a literal sense it just sounded good for the post.
I was so excited about Saturday morning. I snuck out of the house before Mario or Dalen woke up and ventured off to look at all of Olivia's old clothes my sister has been selling in yard sales. YAY! Don't you just love good quality clothing at great prices?! I must admit I am pretty picky about who I buy baby hand-me-downs from. There is just something about the thought that another baby has worn clothing and probably puked, drooled and possibly pooped on something that I will one day put my kid in, that totally gags me. But since it's my niece I guess I can handle the thought. I also gladly buy Hicks hand-me-downs b-c they have the cleanest house and mom EVER.
Anyways, I sorted through tons of clothing weeding out what wouldn't match up with sizes (let's pray she stays on growing schedule!). I ended up with tons of clothes and I just can't wait to get Cola's room and closet cleaned out. Friday night I happened to run into a WHOLE shelf of shoes at Wal-Mart for $1-$2-$3! WAHOO! Every single pair of these shoes were under $3. I do wish they would have had a broader selection of colors. But I guess if you can throw in a little purple with a plethora of pink you are doing well.

Here are a few outfits I scored. The brown and cream dress is super special. Last year when shopping for Olivia Mario picked this out for her on his own and now it's Cola's. I think it's super cute when he picks outfits for her. I am hoping the little red dress will fit her for Valentine's Day. It's a small.

After sorting for a while, Olivia woke up and teetered down the sidewalk. She was in such a perky mood and her hair was hilarious. Bless her heart it was all over the place and mixed with the wind it didn't stand a chance at laying down right. Here are a few pics of her this weekend.

Here she is asleep on Sunday, after lunch.

I put her hair in a pony tail to try to get it out of her eyes.

Smiley Girl.

Camera Shy.

Hilarious Hair.

2010: Just Say No

You know, the real world has a harsh way of letting you know you are there. Somedays it slaps you in the face with bills you don't know how you are going to pay, a schedule so crammed you don't think you will survive and demands that make you just want to give up. This is where I am. I am in the REAL world. Let me share with you a little about my week. (Does the week start with Sunday or Monday?? I'll start with Monday.)

Monday-Worked 9-5. Rushed home to be dressed to leave for dinner with a college student by 6:30. Dalen was already gone to my parents and I didn't see him until about 9 p.m. and he was already deep asleep.

Tuesday-Worked 9-5. Rushed off to pick Dalen up from school, grabbed dinner, ate at home, changed into pajamas and was woken up three times in the night by crying Dalen.

Wednesday-Worked 9-8. Prepared Thanksgiving Dinner for clients at work. Left work at 8 and struggled to stay awake until Mario and Dalen made it home from church at about 8:45. Changed Dalen into pajamas and let him fall asleep with me just so I could feel like I had, had time with him.

Thursday- Woke up an hour and 10 minutes early to spend time with Dalen and get him ready for school pictures. Will work 9-5. Leave work right at 5 pick Dalen up, grab dinner and be to the church for college service. Attend service, go home, get in pajamas and go to bed.

Friday- Will work 9-5. Leave work, go home, change clothes, meet family to eat for my sister's birthday (which was on the 11th).

Saturday-Wake up at 8. Get dressed for book club meeting. Attend book club. Go to Chattanooga and get fitted for a bridesmaid dress, shop for a white shirt for family Christmas pics on Sunday and hang out with our worship leader who is soon moving.

Sunday-Attend church, go to my parents house, eat lunch, get family pics made with them and HOPEFULLY then take a nap!

AH! Thats exhausting just typing all that! I'm to that point where I feel like I share every part of me with everyone and everything! I have been asking myself over and over how will there ever be enough to go around, especially with Baby #2 soon coming! I try my best to not be selfish. It is by far one of the most unappealing qualities I feel any person could possess but I have to admit I'm so tired of sharing! Somedays I feel I am sharing things that aren't even there and it leaves me drained!

I am a wife, mom, sister, friend, minister, aunt, employee and after sharing me with all of these roles and people there is just nothing left. This morning while getting dressed I asked myself again, "How long can I keep sharing so much of me that is just barely there?" This time it was different. I felt an answer, heard something so liberating come from the deepest part of my being. This is what I heard, "You will learn to say no."

Wow. After reflecting on this profound revelation I realized I am not so good at using that word anymore. So in 2010, I will be saying, "No". Nicely, but quite frequently. There are a few things that will be MY things. I will not feel obligated to share these things with ANYONE. It will take me a while but I will get used to it and soon enough it will be normal!

Today I have been thinking a lot about what I am absolutely obligated to do. By obligated I mean things that I absolutely have no choice but to do. What are the things that would cause my family or myself to fall apart? Wow! When you really think about it the list seems to gradually decrease! It was as though I began weeding out old clothes from my dusty closet that were worn, unflattering and no longer fit. You know, just because you USED to do something doesn't mean you have to hang on to that role forever! Roles change with time and it's time for me to move on from somethings.

I will hang on to friendships that are not taxing.
I will let go of people who place unreasonable demands on me.

I will attend church on weeknights.
I will say no to activities that occur on weeknights if my family can't come with me and if I don't feel like going.

I will never schedule anything on Parent's Night Out.
I will spend every Parent's Night Out with my husband and solely my husband.

I will not feel obligated to share my personal devotional time with others.
I will hide the words of God in my heart and speak these private promises only when I feel spirit led to do so.

I will not return calls or pick up calls when it isn't convienant.
I will only call friends when Dalen isn't around. It just isn't fair to the person on the other end.

I am sure there will be so many more things I will have to do and not do the more I think. I want to be the best person I can be and when you are constantly running on E it's hard to give the best or get the best...the best just ends up getting you!

Blog-O-Mercial...With Cola In Mind

This last Saturday I went to the Craft Fair at North Cleveland for about 20 minutes...it was all I could take with Dalen getting into every booth, begging for a hotdog at 10 a.m. every 2 seconds, and insisting everything I picked out for his sister should be for him. I think we have surely got ourselves into something BIG with a new baby coming!!

Anyways, my friend Cortney Wheeler had a booth and she is with Frogs & Frills Baby Boutique. Everything they sell is made personally by them. Here are a couple things I bought from them.


I just loved this handmade hat!! The thing I like about it best is that the little flower is actually like a barrette so you can remove it and add a different one or wear it as a hair bow. I am not into the HUGE flowers and bow little girls wear, you know the ones that make them grow like the leaning tower of Pisa because the bow is SOOOO big it makes them walk with a lean. I love simple and delicate.

This looks like a wallet BUT it's actually a diaper wipe case! It has little pieces of fabric and ribbon around it and I thought it was super cute! So now I can walk to the bathroom with one diaper and the diaper case in class!

And last but not least...I bought this from Razzberry's (a super cute little boutique downtown). I thought this would be SUCH a fun overnight bag or diaper bag. It looks a lot smaller in the picture than what it is. Also, the fabric is so thick and the inside is doubled with more fabric and a few pockets. I love this bag that I scored for ONLY $14.95!

If you like anything you see you can check out Frogs and Frills at http://frogsnfrills.etsy.com/ or shoot them an e-mail at frogsandfrills@gmail.com

Razzberry's is located downtown right beside Gardener's Market and their number is 478-7300. This is also where I scored Dalen's super cute Halloween costume at. They have tons of personalized gifts for children and adults.

I have a small corner in Dalen's room where Cola's things are accumulating quickly. We are keeping her stuff in there because we haven't decided what room to use for her yet. Dalen is constantly and secretly picking through her things trying to fit his massive size 8 feet into her NB size shoes and has been warned if he tries to stuff his bushy fro in her new hat one more time he would score 4 minutes in time out.

He has started to LOVE pulling my shirt up (anywhere we are) to talk to Cola. I have tried to explain she can hear you with my shirt down but it doesn't stop him!! He loves feeling her move and finds it quite hilarious when she gives him a good kick. Yesterday, I made him lay down on the couch with me to start winding down for bed and he's already jealous that she doesn't have to be still and he does. His back was pressed against my belly & everytime she would move he would shout, "Hey! Be still you! Go to sleep!" He also gave her a few "love taps" that weren't so loving.

Date Me, Mommy!

After the three of us being sick, I thought I should write a nice blog on some funny and bright things that have happened recently. Of course, all the funny things are about Dalen. He knows just how to keep us laughing!

The other day an advertisement came up on Mario's computer for a new movie. It was a kids movie and the character's are green (I TOTALLY forgot the name of it). Dalen began laughing hysterically, jumped off the couch and began clapping as he screamed, "Date me, Mommy! Date me!" I didn't get it at first but then realized when we went to see "Cloudy Meatballs" I called it a date, then I realized he wanted me to take him to the movies again. I guess I am good movie date! I told him I had to check it out first-does anyone know what movie I am talking about??

Here is just a pic for entertainment. It's Dalen

at lunch Sunday being goofy.

Last night one of my parent's good friends came to North Cleveland to do a concert. Mario was off at another service and so I told Dalen we could go. He was TOTALLY out of control. It didn't help that his cousin was there-everytime he gets around her it's like waves of excitement that possess him to act ridiculously silly. He jumped for probably 15 minutes straight...with this hands raised and eyes closed, shouting HALLELUJAH! Can you tell he's being raised pentecostal?? haha

After falling the step he was standing on one too many times my Dad got a hold of him telling him to stand still. Yeah, that didn't work. The sanctuary was super cold but because he kept jumping he was literally sweating and took his jacket off. My dad asked him if he were cold and he said, "No I'm not cold!!! I'm happy!!!!! WAHOO!!!!" Yeah shortly thereafter he was taken out for spanking number one and then to class where he could be obnoxious and it not matter.

Here is Dalen before church. I loved this outfit!

After church Sunday night I pulled through Wendy's quickly. They were taking quite a while and Dalen began rolling the window up and down. I occaisonly let him do this to keep him occupied. Once we got to the window there was quite a bit of smoke coming from the french fry maker and I notice Dalen was staring intently at it and not playing with the window anymore. Then out of no where he shouted at the cashier, "You best stop that smoking, lady! Stop it! Stop it now!" WOW! Can we say mortified?! How does he even know what smoking is? It's not like people smoke in restauraunts anymore! The lady didn't find him humorous and didn't respond.

Last funny story...So I have come to realize that Clark Campbell, College and Youth Pastor (and good friend of ours), maybe isn't the best example for Dalen. He snuck and gave him cupcakes and taught him bad words. Mario went to lunch with him the other day and Dalen tagged along. Somehow Clark began talking about frogs and how they pee on your hands. Yeah, so now Dalen makes it a point to warn me frogs pee on your hands-EVERYDAY. Thanks Clark!

Here a few pics Dalen had taken a few weeks back...enjoy!