Lately

I've been a student lately, but not a good student.

I feel like God is trying to teach me things, like how to curb my emotions, but it just doesn't sink in. Sure, I pray about it and am aware of situations when I might come undone, and I really and truly try to hang in there and not freak out. But I still do....sometimes. Then I am guilt-ridden. Lately I have been taking my anger out on Wes. I guess they say you always hurt the ones you love. But I really really dislike that phrase, even though it's true for me sometimes. I don't want to hurt the ones I love, or anyone for that matter. Ugh. I'm not really sure what my point is here, but I thought maybe blogging about it would help. Instead of holding things in until I am at my breaking point, I just need to ask for help, and not in a mean way, or out of desperation, but in an act of kindness.

I've learned a lot over the past four years of being a Mom, and my patience has been tested more times than I care to count. But there is one thing I've realized about myself. The more I focus on ME and what I want, the more upset and unglued I become. So there I am, struggling with the decision between asking for help (that would be for me) and not asking for help but risking going a little crazy.

UGH again. I'm learning. Just not as fast as I'd like to. But hopefully I'm heading in the right direction.

B and B's wedding

We just got home from our weekend in Waynesville for Brett and Brooke's wedding. It was beautiful - the place, the bride and groom, everything. It rained a lot and the ceremony had to be postponed, but it probably made it even more beautiful with the foggy mountains. Both kids were in it. It was a little crazy corralling them around and keeping them happy, but they ended up doing what they needed to do so that was what mattered! Abbie stayed up front the whole time, and Henry walked to me at the end of the aisle while eating his ring bearer pillow and then I had to take him away to a place where no one could hear him! Here are a few of my favorite pics....

This is the only picture I got of Brooke in her dress! I'm kicking myself but that's what wedding photographers are for - she was stunning. I love this girl and look forward to getting to know her even better.

1, 2, 3, 4

A few things I've learned that make my life easier, and might do the same for you….


1) If your daughter wants to wear her Sunday dress to school with running shoes, let her. As long as she is abiding by the dress code, it’s not worth the argument. Oh and if she pitches a fit about brushing her teeth before school - well try getting her to brush them at night. I figure if you can do once a day it’s better than nothing.

2) Always have food in the car. ALWAYS. Graham crackers, goldfish, cheerios – I’ve always got a bag of one of these if not all in my car. This is for Henry. That kid is always hungry. If I give him a snack, he will be happy and quiet.

3) Depending on how your house is set up, if it’s safe for you to load your kids up in the mornings, start the car, and then go back into the house to do a couple last minute things, do it. If I don’t do this, my house looks like a tornado when we get home in the afternoons, and that’s not fun for anyone.

4) Speaking of tornadoes, try to make it a habit to sweep the floors, namely the kitchen and eating area, after dinner each night. And wipe the counters. But not in that order (Always wipe counters first, right??!!) This helps your house stay a little neater which again hopefully keeps everyone happy.

That’s all for now : )