Embracing The Changes...yet again

This is a repost from several months ago...but I really do need to have this focus in my life right now.....read below.

Today I have made a decision....and here is how I have made this decision:
For those of you who do not know, I have had a very busy kind of life for the past 1.5 years. My mom has fought cancer, heart problems, and is currently faced with the potential threat of more cancer. She has done all of this while still working, living alone in her quite house, and being a continual support for me as a new mommy. Yes, this year also brought "mommyhood" to my plate. It has been an awesome year, but certainly life changing. In addition to all of the above, my dad is suffering from an extremely painful degenerative nerve disorder which affects the muscles of his neck and back. My husband is working an extremely busy schedule, giving us very little family time together. You would think that all of these things would have kind of kicked me in my butt and forced me to cherish every moment.....but they really haven't. Not until now....
Tonight I sat and watched a very sweet friend grieve the loss of her father and I was filled with so many thoughts. This friend was the epitome of a daddy's little girl. She loved her daddy more than anything in the whole world and I am sure the feeling was mutual from her father's perspective. My friend can never change the fact that her father is no longer on Earth. She will never be able to sit beside him and he touch her head and say "I love you baby girl." When I realized that I then knew....I knew that I have not embraced the journey of life AT ALL over the past two years. Through the birth of my daughter to my mother's and father's illnesses..I have taken life for granted. I should be ashamed, really and truly.
This is why my lack of enjoying life will end today.... Does it matter that the dishes are done tonight or in the morning? Does it matter that the ironing isn't finished by a certain time? Does it matter that everything be "just so" in the house? The answer to all of these things is OF COURSE NOT!!! I am so tired of worrying about the destination, that I totally forget about the journey. Life will no longer be a checklist for me.
So, for now I leave you with this.....

I am embracing the journey!

More to come....

I Am Ashamed...

.....that I have let this blog go yet again. In a quote from my favorite super duper baby G..."NO MORE" So, you have heard it here..there will be "NO MORE" neglecting the blog. When I hear her say "NO MORE" throughout the day, I will be reminded to keep a focus on my blog.
I am starting my New Year's Resolution now and am going to be posting more thoughts and leading more conversations with other bloggers out there! So...spread the word and stay tuned!
Here are some pictures to keep you updated on the actual preciousness (if that is a word) of Baby G!





All of the above pictures are courtesy of Lindsay Alexander Photography. She is awesome!

Who Couldn't Love....

Who couldn't love this precious face!!

One Word...

I think sometimes people forget the power of words. Even one word speaks volumes. I saw the following post at a friend's blog and wanted to take the challenge. Give it a try yourself. :)

You. Can. Only. Type. One. Word.
No. Explanations.
WARNING: This is not as easy as it looks.

Yourself? uncertain
Your boyfriend/girlfriend? husband
Your hair? blondeish
Your Favorite Item: makeup
Your dream last night: none
Your Favorite drink: milk
Your Dream Car? XC90
The room you are in: office
Your Ex: none
Your fear: alone
What you want to be in 10 years: rested
What you’re NOT? pushy
Muffins: blueberry
One of Your Wish List Items: trips
Time: gone
The Last Thing You Did: cleaned
What You Are Wearing: pajamas
Your Favorite Weather: fallish
Your Favorite Book: Bible
The last thing you ate: wafer
Your Life: precious
Your Mood: anticipation
Your friends: special
What are you thinking about right now? football
Your cellphone: blackberry
What are you doing at the moment? thinking
Your summer: short
Your relationship status: married
What is on your tv? football
What is the weather like? hot
When is the last time you laughed? unsure
What do you do when you can’t sleep? tv

let me know if you post a list on your blog. i'd love to read it.

Has it really been that long?

I can not believe that it has been since May since I last posted. You would think that with all the time I have off (ha, ha, right) that I could post more often. There are so many things that have been going on lately. Giada is an active nearly 14 month old. She is fully embracing being a toddler. More on that later. We had a great time at the beach and just spending some quality time together this summer. I have wanted to post some pictures of my "little firecracker" so here are some updates. I PROMISE to post more soon! Much love and blessings to you all! PS- Isn't she just the cutest thing ever????

Embracing the Journey

Today I have made a decision....and here is how I have made this decision:
For those of you who do not know, I have had a very busy kind of life for the past 1.5 years. My mom has fought cancer, heart problems, and is currently faced with the potential threat of more cancer. She has done all of this while still working, living alone in her quite house, and being a continual support for me as a new mommy. Yes, this year also brought "mommyhood" to my plate. It has been an awesome year, but certainly life changing. In addition to all of the above, my dad is suffering from an extremely painful degenerative nerve disorder which affects the muscles of his neck and back. My husband is working an extremely busy schedule, giving us very little family time together. You would think that all of these things would have kind of kicked me in my butt and forced me to cherish every moment.....but they really haven't. Not until now....
Tonight I sat and watched a very sweet friend grieve the loss of her father and I was filled with so many thoughts. This friend was the epitome of a daddy's little girl. She loved her daddy more than anything in the whole world and I am sure the feeling was mutual from her father's perspective. My friend can never change the fact that her father is no longer on Earth. She will never be able to sit beside him and he touch her head and say "I love you baby girl." When I realized that I then knew....I knew that I have not embraced the journey of life AT ALL over the past two years. Through the birth of my daughter to my mother's and father's illnesses..I have taken life for granted. I should be ashamed, really and truly.
This is why my lack of enjoying life will end today.... Does it matter that the dishes are done tonight or in the morning? Does it matter that the ironing isn't finished by a certain time? Does it matter that everything be "just so" in the house? The answer to all of these things is OF COURSE NOT!!! I am so tired of worrying about the destination, that I totally forget about the journey. Life will no longer be a checklist for me.
So, for now I leave you with this.....

I am embracing the journey!

More to come....

I am considering....

writing a book!

I have thought of a tentative title:

"The Last Clean Role of Toilet Paper is all Over the Bathroom Floor! : Tales of a Busy Southern Working Mom"

More information to follow.... I hope I have your interest peaked! :)