Hmm, what's behind this door?
Mommy's pretty stuff!
What can I do with this?
DRUMS!!!
Oh what fun I have playing with Mommy's Musical Make-up!
March 11, 2010
March 10, 2010
Walking Videos
Please ignore the slightly annoying but encouraging tone of voice I seem to have. I didn't realize that's quite what I sounded like ;)
March 9, 2010
Politics I Agree With ... from an unlikely source
Let me state this caveat ... I don't agree with California Senator Ashburn's lifestyle but I'm also not going to judge him. His choices, decisions and behaviors are between him and God. I don't throw stones. But, that's not what this post is about.
I normally don't comment on political news since 1) I rarely am informed enough to do so and 2) its usually not something I think people who read this blog want to hear about from me. But, there is a statement in this article that really caught my attention.
Ashburn's referring to the fact that he voted against several gay rights measures based on his belief that this is the majority opinion of the people who elected him to office. That's politics I can agree with, even if its from an unlikely source.
I normally don't comment on political news since 1) I rarely am informed enough to do so and 2) its usually not something I think people who read this blog want to hear about from me. But, there is a statement in this article that really caught my attention.
Ashburn said his votes reflected the way constituents in his district wanted him to vote, not necessarily his own views."I felt my duty — and I still feel this way — is to represent my constituents, not my own point of view, not my own internal conflict," he told Barks.Ashburn said he planned to continue voting on behalf of what he sees as the majority viewpoint in his district, which includes parts of Kern, Tulare and San Bernardino counties.
Ashburn's referring to the fact that he voted against several gay rights measures based on his belief that this is the majority opinion of the people who elected him to office. That's politics I can agree with, even if its from an unlikely source.
The Tender Heart Comes Out
I've been following MckMama's blog this week as she and others are in Kenya on a Compassion International trip. Guys, those commercials you see on TV about sponsoring a child from a third world country don't do the situation justice. Its heartbreaking to see the behind the scenes photos and hear from someone that's experiencing it for the first time just how bad the living conditions are and how charities such as Compassion are helping teach children life skills while also telling them about Christ.
If you haven't guess the intent of this post yet, well here it is. I decided to help. I picked out a child that had been waiting the longest and was a little older to sponsor. Click here for his profile. I know there are children in the US that need help also and trust me, this isn't the only charity I donate, or plan to donate, to. I've been extraordinarily blessed in my life and its time to pass that blessing on to others.
Will you do the same? Check out MckMama's blog if you need to see what life is like for these children. Click here to be taken to Compassion International if you want to help too.
If you haven't guess the intent of this post yet, well here it is. I decided to help. I picked out a child that had been waiting the longest and was a little older to sponsor. Click here for his profile. I know there are children in the US that need help also and trust me, this isn't the only charity I donate, or plan to donate, to. I've been extraordinarily blessed in my life and its time to pass that blessing on to others.
Will you do the same? Check out MckMama's blog if you need to see what life is like for these children. Click here to be taken to Compassion International if you want to help too.
Before I Was a Mother
I was reading my friend Roni's blog over lunch and was inspired by her post, a list of all the things she was/did before she was a mom to her three beautiful children. So, I decided I would do one of my own. Granted, she's got 7 1/2 years of experience to pull from, which makes my 13 months seem pretty light, but hopefully, my list will be somewhat as impressive, and humorous, as hers.
Before I was a mother.....
- I didn't see every teenager or young woman as someone's daughter.
- I didn't realize the capacity my heart had for love, or how many times I probably broke my mom's heart with some of my actions over the years.
- I never realized what luxuries pedicures, manicures or going to the bathroom alone really were.
- I didn't realize how many times I could laugh till I almost cry in the 2.5 hours between getting home from school and bed time.
- I had no idea how incomplete my life was.
- I had no idea that Justin would love styling Brianna's wet hair, or how many very strange styles wet baby hair can be put in to! (He'll probably shoot me a dirty look for posting that one!)
- I was the worst tailgate driver in all of Dallas (okay, maybe not all of Dallas). I've rear-ended two people in the almost eight years I've lived here though.
- I actually wore lipstick or gloss every day. Now, when I do remember, its tinted lip balm (love Burt's Bees in Watermelon!) and not till after I've dropped Brianna off. I don't want to leave lipstick marks all over her face every morning and by the time I'm back in the car, I've shifted into work mode and forgotten.
- I could remember everything I needed from the grocery store, without a list. I can't remember a thing unless I write it down now.
- I never cried. Seriously, hardly ever. I could go months without shedding a tear. Now, I find myself getting all teary eyed more than once a week, sometimes more than once a day.
- The phrase "road trip" had a completely different connotation. Now, it almost invokes fear and apprehension over how to keep a toddler happy in a car seat for the 5 hour drive to grandma's house. DVD players have become the best answer so far!
- I thought I knew all I needed to about parenting and that giving someone my opinion or advice on the subject was perfectly fine. Now, I realize there's just no way you can have an informed opinion on something until you've actually done it.
- I didn't realize how much I would become a believer in informed consent, or that I'd be "that mom". You know, the one that delays vaccinations, takes organic milk to daycare, only buys organic dairy and free range beef (thank you Target!), washes all fruits and veggies with soap ... you know, that mom.
- I never knew that hearing someone brag on your child could be so rewarding! I never tire of hearing someone say how smart, beautiful, funny, sweet, precious, etc she is!
I really don't miss life before I was a mother. I miss small parts of it, like having a date with Justin at the drop of the hat because we just feel like going out together. But, picnics on a blanket in the backyard with my precious baby girl, who likes to lay her head in my lap and feel the sunshine on her face definitely top my list of favorite moments. I wouldn't go back to life before Brianna for anything!
Before I was a mother.....
- I didn't see every teenager or young woman as someone's daughter.
- I didn't realize the capacity my heart had for love, or how many times I probably broke my mom's heart with some of my actions over the years.
- I never realized what luxuries pedicures, manicures or going to the bathroom alone really were.
- I didn't realize how many times I could laugh till I almost cry in the 2.5 hours between getting home from school and bed time.
- I had no idea how incomplete my life was.
- I had no idea that Justin would love styling Brianna's wet hair, or how many very strange styles wet baby hair can be put in to! (He'll probably shoot me a dirty look for posting that one!)
- I was the worst tailgate driver in all of Dallas (okay, maybe not all of Dallas). I've rear-ended two people in the almost eight years I've lived here though.
- I actually wore lipstick or gloss every day. Now, when I do remember, its tinted lip balm (love Burt's Bees in Watermelon!) and not till after I've dropped Brianna off. I don't want to leave lipstick marks all over her face every morning and by the time I'm back in the car, I've shifted into work mode and forgotten.
- I could remember everything I needed from the grocery store, without a list. I can't remember a thing unless I write it down now.
- I never cried. Seriously, hardly ever. I could go months without shedding a tear. Now, I find myself getting all teary eyed more than once a week, sometimes more than once a day.
- The phrase "road trip" had a completely different connotation. Now, it almost invokes fear and apprehension over how to keep a toddler happy in a car seat for the 5 hour drive to grandma's house. DVD players have become the best answer so far!
- I thought I knew all I needed to about parenting and that giving someone my opinion or advice on the subject was perfectly fine. Now, I realize there's just no way you can have an informed opinion on something until you've actually done it.
- I didn't realize how much I would become a believer in informed consent, or that I'd be "that mom". You know, the one that delays vaccinations, takes organic milk to daycare, only buys organic dairy and free range beef (thank you Target!), washes all fruits and veggies with soap ... you know, that mom.
- I never knew that hearing someone brag on your child could be so rewarding! I never tire of hearing someone say how smart, beautiful, funny, sweet, precious, etc she is!
I really don't miss life before I was a mother. I miss small parts of it, like having a date with Justin at the drop of the hat because we just feel like going out together. But, picnics on a blanket in the backyard with my precious baby girl, who likes to lay her head in my lap and feel the sunshine on her face definitely top my list of favorite moments. I wouldn't go back to life before Brianna for anything!
March 8, 2010
Fresh New Look
We've got a fresh new look around here so if you haven't checked out the blog in awhile (those of you on email updates!) then stop by and see what's changed. Thanks to btemplates.com for the design, even though it was a freebie. I loved the old bumblebee design since it matched Brianna's nursery but it was time for a change given that Brianna isn't all I'll be blogging about from now on, hence the new title as well. Though, in all fairness, she is still most of what I'll be blogging about.
I love comments so feel free to leave one and let me know what you think!
I love comments so feel free to leave one and let me know what you think!
March 5, 2010
13 months and Family Updates
Wow, where has the month gone? Brianna's 13 months old as of yesterday and time continues to run away from me. I'm slightly frustrated that we haven't gotten her one year portraits done yet, but our photographer, Nicole Youngblood, is having her studio remodeled and just like any other remodel, there have been pitfalls and unexpected delays. But, we should get them done this next week. Once they're done, I'll see if I can post up some sneaks!
I've shared with a few people this feeling of impending change that's been hovering around my mind for the last several weeks. Well, its coming and its needed. Justin and I are exploring some career moves for him that would shake things up around our house and force us to step out on faith. Once we have a better handle on what exactly this is all going to look like, we'll share. Right now, we're working through a couple options that would allow him to own his own business, or at least a franchise. Like I said, big changes in our future. I've been praying about this daily and if you feel like joining me, it would be appreciated. Direction is much needed!
I have my own interviews March 15 for the open position within my office. I'm excited, nervous and a little apprehensive about it though. On one hand, I know I need the change and the challenge. On the other, I like not traveling all the time and this would require being gone 1-2 nights a week on most weeks. On a positive note, I'd get my Platinum status back on American pretty quick, which I'm sorely missing right now as upgrading to First and easily catching those stand-by flights doesn't happen when you're only a lowly Gold member.
I'm also considering changing up the content and focus on the blog, which means maybe updating the design and layout too. While its nice to use this as an avenue to share stories and pictures of Brianna, blogging (or simply writing) is how I think, clear my head and generally work out the details of life. Not that I want to share with the world everything the voices in my head tell me as you might rush to have me committed but I do find some of the other mommy blogs I read inspiring, particularly Mckmama. I like how she's committed to sharing her faith and Christian walk with those that follow her. I have to admit, I couldn't tell you the last time I walked in the door of a church, although I don't personally feel that's an accurate reflection of the state of my spiritual life. Going to church and having a personal relationship with God are linked, but one doesn't exclusively depend on the other in my opinion. I'd say I've got a pretty good relationship with my Father, but that my spiritual walking shoes are a little dusty these days.
Before this whole post goes down the path of heavy reading, I'll end it there. I've got some adorable pictures of Brianna that I'll post up later. She's found my make-up, but seems to think that mascara makes for great drumsticks when eye shadow cases are the drum! She heads right for the cabinet where its all kept as soon as she rounds the door into the bathroom now!
I've shared with a few people this feeling of impending change that's been hovering around my mind for the last several weeks. Well, its coming and its needed. Justin and I are exploring some career moves for him that would shake things up around our house and force us to step out on faith. Once we have a better handle on what exactly this is all going to look like, we'll share. Right now, we're working through a couple options that would allow him to own his own business, or at least a franchise. Like I said, big changes in our future. I've been praying about this daily and if you feel like joining me, it would be appreciated. Direction is much needed!
I have my own interviews March 15 for the open position within my office. I'm excited, nervous and a little apprehensive about it though. On one hand, I know I need the change and the challenge. On the other, I like not traveling all the time and this would require being gone 1-2 nights a week on most weeks. On a positive note, I'd get my Platinum status back on American pretty quick, which I'm sorely missing right now as upgrading to First and easily catching those stand-by flights doesn't happen when you're only a lowly Gold member.
I'm also considering changing up the content and focus on the blog, which means maybe updating the design and layout too. While its nice to use this as an avenue to share stories and pictures of Brianna, blogging (or simply writing) is how I think, clear my head and generally work out the details of life. Not that I want to share with the world everything the voices in my head tell me as you might rush to have me committed but I do find some of the other mommy blogs I read inspiring, particularly Mckmama. I like how she's committed to sharing her faith and Christian walk with those that follow her. I have to admit, I couldn't tell you the last time I walked in the door of a church, although I don't personally feel that's an accurate reflection of the state of my spiritual life. Going to church and having a personal relationship with God are linked, but one doesn't exclusively depend on the other in my opinion. I'd say I've got a pretty good relationship with my Father, but that my spiritual walking shoes are a little dusty these days.
Before this whole post goes down the path of heavy reading, I'll end it there. I've got some adorable pictures of Brianna that I'll post up later. She's found my make-up, but seems to think that mascara makes for great drumsticks when eye shadow cases are the drum! She heads right for the cabinet where its all kept as soon as she rounds the door into the bathroom now!
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