Feelings and Priorities

Being a mother is a stressful and exhausting job, yet there is nothing more rewarding. Your child provides a never-ending supply of firsts, so you are constantly filled with pride, excitement, and suprise.

That feeling you get when you feel like your arm is going to fall off from holding your son’s hand while you drive, because he needs your attention in the backseat. It doesn’t hurt or bother you one bit, because feeling needed and feeling those tiny fingers holding you tight makes it all worth it.

That feeling you get when your son leans back and nuzzles into your lap during story/prayer time at night, then drifts off to sleep.  Suddenly you aren’t tired anymore, and you can spend a few more minutes enjoying the silence.

That feeling you get when you are at work, you smell poop, and you realize your son left a little reminder of him on your hands. Gross, but I am convinced I am not the only mother this has happened to... Any mothers willing to admit it?!?! Please humor me.

That feeling you get when you go to wake your baby up from a nap and you come across this...

That feeling is joy.

Now on to my rant about photography/blogging, 

I can’t help but laugh when I look through the pictures on my phone and camera and can only find pictures of my son... and a little bit of Kevin, and I never can find a picture of myself.

I remember the single days when all my pictures were of me and my posse, mostly comprised of face shots so you can remember/show off how good you all looked.

After I met Kevin, the pictures of my super handsome boyfriend started flooding my phone, so I could remember/show off how good my property/boy looks.

It amazing how the photos/blog posts on a person’s camera/blog shows where their priorities lie.

Examples I have seen/jeered at as of late:

displays of expensive outfits that I cant afford (barf/I secretly want to steal your whole wardrobe),

bragging (if you are trying to teach me your ways, then yay! If it makes me feel bad about myself, then boo on you),

showing off thrifty outfits (brag away you fashion blogger queen, I love it!),

home improvements/decor (my obsession, please proceed), 

crafts (never gets old),

money saving tips,

cute/funny baby pictures (always fun to look at by a biased mother like myself),

memories,

blah..blah…blahhh…

I dare you to look at your blog/facebook and tell me where you see that your priorities lie. I had a hoot looking at mine!

Enjoy your weekend, I am so excited for out valentines date night tomorrow night with Krystle  and Michael!
:)

Celebrating the best year of our lives.

First, a little about my night.

I really do love where I live,

On my way home tonight from the store I almost crashed into a deer... twice.

(a different deer 2 different times in less than a minute) 

This is a normal occurrence here,

I guess thats why our city is called Ek Ridge.

Anyways, back to the star of the show.

Say hello to the Birthday Boy!

We had his birthday party last saturday at our place.

We chose a race car theme, perfect for Sam since his favorite toys are cars.

 I went a little pintrest crazy while picking out the food for the party. Above you will see:

Spinach Dip Mini French Bread Bowls

Nutella Swirl Cupcakes

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Not seen (Ham and Cheese Sliders)

All homemade (for all who know me will gasp in disbelief)

 I made a Chocolate Cake with Mint Chocolate chip frosting for his Birthday Cake!

 (all homemade... down to the peppermint essence and chopped dark chocolate bits)

GASP!

 He enjoyed every last bit of his piece.

 This morning was Sam's actual birthday so I made him 

BIRTHDAY WAFFLES!

 They are just what you think they are.... okay maybe not.

They are normal waffles 

(My Aunt Christa likes to use cake mix instead of waffle batter) 

Topped with a scoop of ice cream and whatever toppings you prefer. 

I chose whipped cream, a cherry and hot fudge.

 I think Sammy liked his birthday waffle ;)

And we couldn't keep the kitties away.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMUEL KEVIN!

:)

Transformation is Complete...

I have turned into my grandmother.

Kevin and I occasionally joke that as soon as a ring went on my finger I turned in to my grandma. I cringe at every brake light while Kevin drives and I am always checking the speedometer. That, I think, is forgiveable.

Even the occasional "whoopadiddy" is excuseable. But yesterday I did the unthinkable....

I said "Heaven's to betsy!" while changing Sam's stinky diaper.

Yes. Those words came out of my mouth. Transformation is complete.

 

Now I just hope I can be as beautiful as her one day. 

:)

My new favorite time waster....

 

A Few lessons learned/Way Late Halloween Pictures

1. I learned not to try and let a babies diaper rash dry out when they have diarrhea...
2. I learned that when you cut your hair and you are a mother (even a totally [self proclaimed] cool one), someone is bound to tell you that you have a "mom hair cut."  Even if you don't have said mom hair cut.
3. I learned that some people are out to get you. Just because.
4. I learned that no one can take you seriously when you have a retainer in your mouth... and your 23...
5. I learned how much I love bosses that respect and appreciate you.

Thats it for now.

We are off to Las Vegas in the morning to meet up with Gma and Gpa Johnson at my Aunt Cindy's for the Thanksgiving holiday.  So excited!

:)

P.S. Here's our last minute halloween costumes for our church's Trunk-or-Treat. Last minute I decided to actually dress up this year so snuck upstairs and rummaged through Kevin's closet and put this piece together, and surprised kevin with a reminder of how cool (again, self proclaimed) I am. He told me I was weird and that he was not going to dress up. After some shameless begging and pouting to no avail, I gave up and went upstairs to get Sam ready. When we came downstairs we were surprised to see a handsome firefighter in the kitchen! Sneaky Kevin snuck down to the fire-station and got his Fire Suit. I was SO HAPPY!

After the church activity our friends, the Patey's and Muhlstein's, came over with their precious daughters and we had a baby photo shoot.
Thanks for looking!
:)

Decorrhea

Sorry for all of the home improvement posts, I have just been way behind on blogging lately.

Here is the front room. 

(I will be staining that curio to match the piano and mirror in the near future)

 Pumpkin and book:Hobby Lobby; Plant: Walmart; Frame: TjMaxx

 Kitchen Table

Light Fixture: Home Depot; Wall Art, Plant: Hobby Lobby; Pumpkin and plate: DI; Candle Centerpiece:Pier One

My first attempt at picture wall, with the help of my fabulous friend Jessica Bartlett.

Large frames: Hobby Lobby; Small frames: Aunt Edtih and DI; 

 Here's a picture to help put it in perspective.

Our Fireplace :)

Painting, plant, and E: Ross; Vase: DI (spray painted); pot and lantern: Hobby Lobby

A snapshot of the past...

 (Soon we will stain or paint the mantle, re-tile, and paint the gold)

Our new(repurposed) entertainment center!

Buffet: Aunt Edith; Tree: Yard Sale; Candle: Ross; Flower: Hobby Lobby

***Imagine a cheap black/modern entertainment center with wires/N64/Xbox360/laptop all exposed, 

and thats what this corner looked like last week.***

I might have an addiction to Hobby Lobby...

and I am proud of it :)

Its what on the inside that counts

Kevin praises me for all of the home improvement projects I have done over the past year...

(another picture of the Kitchen)

 ... But, he also HATES that I cant seem to ever finish a project!

(the insides had not been painted until last weekend)

... and After!

Sure when the cabinets are closed it looks the same...

"but my mah-mah-mah momma said" ...

Its what on the inside that counts ;)