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!