Proverbs Thirty-One and Beyond

Embracing The Changes...yet again

2010-12-21T22:46:00.002-04:00

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...

2010-12-21T21:57:00.006-04:00

.....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....

2010-09-25T21:38:00.003-03:00

Who couldn't love this precious face!!

One Word...

2010-09-09T21:26:00.002-03:00

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?

2010-07-05T23:47:00.002-03:00

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

2010-05-13T22:54:00.006-03:00

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....

2010-04-07T21:39:00.002-03:00

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! :)

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T19:04:00.004-03:00

With so many thoughts running through my head today...I will simplify them by saying Happy Easter to you all...and that we should all remember the reason for our celebration of today!
Take a look at our precious little bunny in these pictures! :)

Too Stinkin' Cute and A Touch of Honesty

2010-03-18T21:55:00.004-03:00

So, I know that I am biased as I gave birth to Baby G..but I have to ask....Is she not just so stinkin' cute???

As a change of subject...I have some honest thoughts on motherhood. I can remember the day I found out I was pregnant. I had some suspicisons two days before I really found out when I had a faint positive test. The morning I REALLY knew was when I used that ever popular digital, easy to read test at 4:20 in the morning when I was getting up for work and it said "pregnant" in about 1.5 seconds! I was filled with such a feeling of excitement! During my pregnancy I went through every emotion in the book....literally! After I had Baby G, I almost went through a feeling of seperation and disbelief. Then, I went back to work and the feelings really were all over the book. It has now been 10 months since Baby G came into the world and rocked this Type A personality's life to the core. But, you know what...I am so glad Baby G has rocked my world and is slowly but surely teaching me what is really important in life....Boy do I LOVE being a mommy now! (well, most days :)

Me and Baby G: A Glimpse into the Future

2010-03-14T21:30:00.005-03:00

When I look at my precious little girl, I have so many "wonders" for the future. I want to have such a wonderful relationship with my daughter. There are so many desires I have for the future. Here are a few of my "wonders" for me and Baby G:
* Will baby G value my opinion and seek it out as she is presented with various challenges throughout life?
* When someone breaks my baby girls heart when she is older, will she come to me to help make it better?
* Will she look at me as a role model in my faith and know what it really means to be a virtuous, Christian woman through my actions?
* Will she be patient, loving, and accepting? (many of the characteristics which people say I posses)
* Will she look at life and know how precious it is?
* Will she value every moment?
* Will she take care of herself so that she is able to celebrate life for many, many years?
* Will she meet a man one day who will fufill her dreams and who I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt will protect her and love her until the end of her life?
* When she finds the man, as noted above, will I be the first one she calls when he asks her to be his wife?
* Will I be my baby girl's best friend?

I love my little girl more than words can describe. I hope she knows I will be there for her always! I love you Baby G!

C is for....

2010-03-02T21:12:00.004-04:00

"C" is for.... COOKIE! Is it ever too early to develop an addiction to Girl Scout Cookies? I would have you know that I DID NOT give her the first cookie she has eaten...that would be her father that did this. Baby G did not make a peep the entire time she had this cookie in her hand. Could this be a new way to buy some quiet time....hhhmmmm. Ok, I would NEVER be that kind of parent that would give my child a cookie to make her be quiet. Never, ever, ever....

Did you notice she even licked her fingers when she was eating the cookie? Now that's my girl!

Where Two Roads Meet

2010-02-28T21:45:00.004-04:00

I feel as though there are times in life when we are presented with situations which have us choose a path through life. These paths typically occur where there is a fork in the road. Well, I now find myself standing admist the fork in the road and literally just standing there.... I don't know where to go, but am relying on prayers and love from my husband, friends and family.

A song by Jeremy Camp entitled "Walk by Faith" really says a lot about my current journey.

Will I believe you when you say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to RID my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With the one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do

Has it been that long?

2010-02-23T21:52:00.003-04:00

Ok people- I totally admit that I was "gung ho" on this blog thing when I first started. I couldn't wait to post my next message.... and I really was on top of it (in a manner of speaking). But, much to my dismay I have let it go to the wayside. I am back and in full force....I know you were all holding your breath waiting to read my next post. Unfortunately, nothing exciting is going on here in the big Hill....except that baby G will be attending her future husband's first birthday party on Saturday. C and baby G are going to make such a cute couple! Yeah for my future in-laws Holly and Matt! (sidebar- I can not believe that it has been a year since Holly had C...it seems like just yesterday!)
Ok--where am I going with this post. Oh yeah, you must look at this precious little thing opening her Valentine's Day card. Can I just say....too cute for words! I hope you are all feeling the love from someone special during this month of love.

Best Friends

2010-02-09T21:05:00.003-04:00

These two precious girls in my life are the best of friends.

An ode to the friendship between a 3 year-old, overweight pug (named Sydney) and my precious Baby G!

My friend is nice.
We like to play
We play together every day.
We laugh and cry
And laugh again
Because, you see, we're
Friends
Friends
Friends!

Things that make you go HHMM.....

2010-02-07T21:15:00.002-04:00

I will be the first to admit that I am a huge fan of football! Not so much professional football as it doesn't seem as exciting once the players start getting paid for what they do. I do LOVE college football though...Ok- I am digressing.
As I was watching the Superbowl tonight and thinking of my upcoming busy days I was almost filled with a sense of "anger." One of the many things I have to do in my upcoming busy days is attend a school board meeting where the Superintendent will be sharing her proposed plan to cut 10 million dollars from the budget for next year. We all know that because of education/educators, all other professions are possible. So, as these multi-millionaire football players were hitting each other and running with a pigskin in their hands, there will most certainly be devoted educators and people who work with students every day without a job next year. Now, what would happen if the players and coachers from both the Colts and Saints each gave a donation....The Rock Hill Schools would probably be in good shape next year.
Ok...I am glad I got that off of my chest. The more I think about things in the world these days...the less I am able to explain things anymore.

Who me?

2010-02-02T21:47:00.002-04:00

I just can't help but love this little girl! As a side note... It was incredibly nasty here in the good ole' SC this past weekend, so we did not go out much. BUT, baby G was able to put on her coordinating striped hat and sweater. Having a little girl is literally like having my very own baby doll sometimes!
PS- When I look at her expression here, I think she is practicing her "I didn't do it look" for future years!

What do you do when...

2010-01-27T22:13:00.002-04:00

What do you do when you just don't know what to do? This seems like an oddly worded question, but a valid one at that....
When I find myself not knowing what to do, I often do the following:
1. Pray: This is comforting and does provide answers..although not at the rate WE often want a solution.
2. Ask other people what they would do: There are a few people out there who I truly value their opinions and truly crave their advice when I am struggling with something.
3. Look to the past: You know, "they" say you learn from history...I do believe this to be so.
4. Nothing at all: Unfortunately, if I am struggling with something, particularly in my personal life, I may hope it works itself out....By the way, I wouldn't recommend this strategy...it usually doesn't work all that well....but here's to trying :)

So...what do you do when you don't know what to do? (That's a lot of do's in one question!)

Top Ten Things I Used to Be...

2010-01-26T21:35:00.005-04:00

(see #1 for the relationship to this picture) :)

10. ...very shy. I have slowly gotten over that throughout the years, but still struggle with it even amidst my very "public" job.
9. ...a runner. I am trying to decide if I want to run again. I ran a half-marathon 2 years ago (which really seems like a lifetime ago).
8. ...a second grade teacher. I love those precious little ones!
7. ...a huge New Kids on the Block fan. Yes it is true..."Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh...Just Hangin' Tough." I hate to admit it but I even went through their trash when I stalked (I mean was hanging around) their tour buses.
6. ...very overweight. Today I am just moderately overweight. I was at my "skinniest" (if that even is a word) when I got married seven years ago. I gained some weight because I was so happy and enjoyed eating with my fabulous Italian husband! Then lost some weight....then gained some weight....then had a baby...and here I am today. :)
5. ...president of my sorority (which is ironic given #10).
4. ....a flag twirling, rifle spinning, saber throwing color guard junkie. I still think I am a bit of a band nerd.
3. ...mayor of "Giddy City" as deemed by my high school Spanish III teacher (again, ironic given #10).
2. ...on a radio show in my area as a "date" for one of the interns....It's a long story which I may post another day.
1. ...pregnant...I am not anymore which is why I used to be that way. Today my precious baby is 8 months old. Yeah for baby G!!

I Have a Confession....

2010-01-25T22:27:00.002-04:00

I have a confession to make.... I have become one of those peope I never thought I would become...One of those women in particular that I used to snicker at....Ok, here it is....
I am a closet fan of "The Bachelor."
There I said it; I feel sooo much better!!! Jake sure does have his hands full with all of those ladies!!
Ok- off to finish watching this night's episode.

** Note: I should be in bed, but I am instead watching junk! **

The importance of "fireproofing" your marriage

2010-01-24T20:29:00.002-04:00

For any of you who have not watched the movie "Fireproof," I HIGHLY reccomend it! I love this movie so much for several reasons:
#1- In todays world, most movies are filled with so much "crap" that it is truly unhealthy for the Christian mind. (I say say this knowing that I watch some of those movies sometimes and they are quite funny, touching, entertaining, etc.)
#2- There are so many things that complicate marriages today. The philosophy of "Fireproof" is to Never Leave Your Partner Behind. WOW...is that not powerful.
#3- I think we are all looking for ways to be better wives, mothers, husbands, etc.... and this movie really shows you how to love someone else- even through the tough times.
So---with all of this said, I would suggest you watch "Fireproof." I own a copy of it and just know that I am probably going to watch the DVD until there is a hole in it.

The Cutest Thing Ever??

2010-01-20T22:11:00.000-04:00

Introductions are in order for this beautiful, precious, sweet 8 month old baby girl..... This my friends is the one and only "Baby G." Obviously her real name is not "G," but that is what most people are calling my precious little girl. No one ever officially gave her that nickname, but it has sort of "stuck" like glue! I love this little girl more than anything else in the whole world, next to my wonderful husband. I can't wait to tell you so much about her. By the way---does she look like she is up to something? I better remember this expression... :)

Sharing and Caring

2010-01-18T20:55:00.000-04:00

I have found myself to be reading several ladies' blogs lately and really value what they have to say and feel. I am looking forward to using this blog as a way of expressing myself. I really do find I have so many things to say, yet no real outlet to express them. I plan to utilize this blog as a way to share my thoughts about life, love, faith, and being a new mommy....to anyone who will listen.
I want to use this blog as a way of "sharing" and "caring" for people. I am still trying to organize how I want to go about organizing and sharing my thoughts.....but just know there is more to come!
I hope everyone has a blessed evening!

The Beginning

2010-01-16T23:03:00.000-04:00

Ok- so today I decided to start a blog. I have several reasons for doing so...which I will explain in another message tomorrow. I am off to bed so I can arise in the morning and worship an awesome God! Many blessings!