Hello Spring!

    I was hoping I would continue posting here regular. But y'all 3 kids and Benji working 2 jobs aint no joke. we run a 100 miles an hour all week. Emery has homework every night. Church on Weds night and Sunday night (and a.m. obviously).... Jesse has preschool 2 days a week. You would think I would get more done with the littles off at school a few days, but I just spend all my time in the CAR!!!!! 

We are all so glad it is spring finally. This weather has been brutal! 30* one day 70* the next. Emery is so confused about what to wear to school. AND so am I! ha. 

Benji's schedule is slowly picking up and will swing into full spring break/summer mode in a few months. I always say summer is his busiest time, but actually he's just always busy! 

This has been a great past few months. Hadley turned ONE!!!! I've started clearing out, selling, donating, all my baby stuff. I have not been sad at all! I am so thrilled that I have 3 healthy children that are growing and thriving. Who would want their kids to always "fit in a baby swing???" that's how I have to look at it. :) 

We are Dave Ramseying it up in this hizzous. I aint gonna lie. It was hard the 1st month. Now I am actually enjoying the challenge (and benefits!) We are both ready to start getting serious about our future. We do have two weddings and 3 colleges to pay for! NOT to mention 3 kids that will need cars....oh mercy! 

I've been administering my own allergy shots for a few months now. Through my family Dr. of course. He has an allergy specialist that trains you to give your own. Each month I go back to get the next dose. Hopefully it will knock out my allergies for good in about a year, year and a half! It's really just like giving insulin to yourself i guess, except I do it every other day. 

I got this cool EPI pen I get to carry around in case I have a reaction. Ha. 

Now if ya know me, ya know I'm a little granola, a little hard core modern meds. Im a FIERCELY Pro- Vaccine, it's totally my soap box... (another post). Im also very pro mental health medication/ therapy. I am convinced now more than ever, after suffering from PPD for basically 5 years, that it is a hormonal, chemical imbalance. I believe that medicine and therapy are the BEST ways to combat this illness. I also do believe that it can go into "remission" with the right therapist and support system. 

I can't tell you how much I've learned about myself through therapy. The medication and counseling LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE. I hate that I had to go through it, each time with each baby, but I am thankful that I can let other moms know they are not alone. It is SO REAL and SO HARD. Please don't be too proud to ask for help. A healthy Mother = a healthy child/family. 

Which also leads to my polar opposite side. ha. Im talking straight granola hippy here. I've started using Young Living Essential Oils. Short story of it is that Ive always been a huge proponent of aroma therapy. I have always been intrigued by the chemistry of perfumes,  and the psychological impact they have on our memory, our brain and our emotions. Now I'm not looking for oils to cure cancer, autism, heart disease, my depression or OCD. (not yet anyway) BUT I do believe that they can help me with my stress and tension. They are good for antibacterial uses. They SMELL amazing when you diffuse them. There are some that are great for stomach issues, headaches and allergy symptoms. That's what Im in it for as of now. No selling just buying and learning. If you are interested in Young Living Essential Oils let me know and I will steer you in the right direction. There is still a ton I don't understand/know. I do know that they help my headaches and congestion and make my house smell amazing. So. Those 3 things are worth it too me. :) 

Don't worry Im not praying to Buddha or stopping modern meds for "snake oil" I'm just interested in seeing how far God's natural products can take us in the name of health. 

So when I heard about all the great benefits of E.O's It made perfect sense to me. I have loved getting to know my Young Living Essential Oil Premium Starter kit. I've also found out about the benefits of Oil Pulling. (google it) anyway. I am slowly transforming my life into the life I am most authentic in. It's going to take me this entire year I am sure of it. But everyday I see myself making improvements and steps in the right direction. I'm finally excited about the future for the 1st time in awhile. It feels great! 

AND SERIOUSLY how beautiful are my girls? I am so blessed with such an amazing family. My cup runs over daily. Life is good and I am so, so happy to be exactly where I am. 

Gettin Real Up In HEERRRE

Benji's running 8 minute miles after 3 weeks of running. ever. He's given up Diet Mt. Dew and is "just eating less". lost 11 lbs.

So I've got to get with it. I gave myself until this 5k we ran a few weeks ago. Then I got serious about getting back to my pre baby routines/ health/weight. As of last Thursday I have lost 2 lbs...woopty do. But seriously I know that 2 lbs a week is a good slow way to do it. I'm watching portions and trying to cut back on carbs and processed foods. I also gave up buying diet coke!!!! BELIEVE IT!!!! I have one about once a week and that is it. I figured I've been chronically dehydrated since I had Hadley. I feel so much better eating well and drinking more water.

Soon I will be joining the YMCA again. and I can't wait. I LOVED the classes they offered and honestly it is a great get away/stress reliever for me to get away from the kids for an hour and do something for me.

I've also made a conscious decision to be more physical around the house. Cleaning regularly, vacuuming more often and mopping. I feel like that is cardio that is killing two birds with one stone!

I realize this is going to be a long journey. I'm not looking or wanting overnight results. I want to have a healthy life style, a healthy body and mind.

I am finally feeling like I'm coming out of the fog of new babyhood. Hadley is 8 months now and is the greatest blessing.

3 kids are hectic, aint gonna lie. Especially when Benji is so busy. I just miss him so much and the kids miss him.

We are so blessed though. I'm beginning to feel real joy again, which I haven't in a long time. I'm beginning to feel motivation and energy and determination to change my body physically and mentally. I am not wishing these baby days away, but I am excited about getting to the point where I have time to work on the health of myself.

Obsessed.

HELOOOOOO KING GEORGE!!!! I am so obsessed with this couple. Seriously, she could not be more beautiful and perfect and well, he IS Prince William. I was so excited when baby boy was born. 

Also obsessed with The Hunger Games. I know, I'm like 3 years behind but I just started and don't think I will stop until I'm done with all 3. 

Obsessed with juicing! Suja juice (check out their website) is my juice of choice. I feel like it's really making a difference in my over all energy. I actually have two juicers somewhere, probably in my mom's storage unit....but ain't nobody got time to juice 7 carrots and lbs of kale when I have 3 kids. So for now I am buying mine at Whole Foods. 

Benji is back packing in West Virginia this week. Whatever. 

We decided, since we just got back from the beach, that now would be a good time to switch Jesse to a toddler bed. So far so good. 

 I want to paint our bedroom. It's blah to me.....  

We had an amazing, wonderful, way too short time at the beach and I soaked up every moment. I slept late, took naps, and played in the sand with my kids. Such a much needed retreat for our crazy, busy family. 

Emery turned 5 while we were at the beach. She starts kindergarten in about two weeks. I'm OBSESSED about this as well. I can not believe it. She was 2 weeks old when Benji started working at BCBC. Now she is FIVE!!!!!!! 

Jesse also starts MMO this year. my sweet baby boy will be in school at the church twice a week. He will have Miss. Kim and Miss Nancy. (Who Emery started pre K with). I swear. They are the BEST 2yr old teachers on the planet. I can't wait until he gets to spend time with both of them. 

Hadley has cut 2 teeth in the past week. I am OBSESSED with this baby! I love her so much and am so thankful every day that we decided to have a 3rd. I'll be honest, I was scared. And I still have days (like yesterday) that I wonder "what was I thinking?" but then I also have days that I truly wish we could have JUST ONE MORE. But I am convinced that the LORD has led us to stop at 3. We have not given up on the idea of adoption, but my body is finished producing off spring. 

I am also currently obsessed with reading again. I got to read a few books on vacation and like any OCD patient I am currently in the middle of like 5 books! ha. I did get to finish one entire book on vacation. I am now reading The Hunger Games which I am so hooked on.

I am obsessed with LOSING THIS DAG GUM BABY WEIGHT. Seriously I am sooo so sos so so over it. Once Emery starts school I will get things rolling with either a gym nearby or our YMCA. I need to lose at least 50lbs. Maybe even 80. I just want to feel good about myself again and it has been along 5 years having one baby after another and moving 3,4 however many times. I need a routine and I am hoping that this fall brings one. 

Well, Benji and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary this month. I seriously can not believe it has been that long. We have been through so much. I love him more today than the day we married, so that's good! We spent a blissful weekend in Buckhead at the W Buckhead Hotel. Ahmazing. Hotel. We had a blast. 

I am heading to sleepy time. all 3 kidddos are tucked into bed and Benji is somewhere sleeping on the dirt ground. Ha! I am climbing into our down comforter bed. NIGHTY NIGHTY!

Happy Home

I found this list on Pinterest, and the girl who pinned it found it somewhere else. Anyway, I love steps like these to making your home more "livable" because, let's face it, us mom's who stay home, we spend A LOT of time AT HOME! ha! I thought these were great, simple ways to make the home a place of refuge, peace and order. Most of the time my home is chaotic, crazy and anything but in order! I am always trying to find ways to improve....

                                                         1. Make your bed.

The book The Happiness Project, explains that this three minute task is one of the simplest habits you can adopt to positively impact your happiness.

2. Bring every room back to “ready.”

I learned this trick from Marilyn Paul’s clever book, It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys. It’s a known fact: Clutter causes stress; order creates a haven from it. This mood-boosting routine is simple: Take about three minutes to bring each room back to “ready” before you depart it. (Unless you have a toddler, or a partner who likes to simulate earthquakes, three minutes should be sufficient.)

3. Display sentimental items around your home.

One reason that experiences (and memories of those experiences) make us happier than material things is due to the entire cycle of enjoyment that experiences provide: planning the experience, looking forward to the experience, enjoying the experience, and then remembering the experience. Make your home a gallery of positive memories.

4. Start a one-line-a-day gratitude journal.

Before bed, simply jot down one happy memory from that day. (If you have kids, you can ask them, “What was the best part of today?”) Reflection is an important part of happiness, and pausing to reflect on a positive event from each day cultivates gratitude. (An added bonus: Later, when your memory is defunct, you will already have all of your meaningful adventures recorded!) If you have trouble getting started with journaling, consider buying a book to guide you. Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, is a great one.

5. If you can’t get out of it, get into it.

This tip comes from The Happiness Project. I love the message: The dishes are not going to clean themselves, so you will do it, and you will like it! (Unless, of course, you can outsource this job, in which case I say: Nice work!) Otherwise, get into doing the dishes. Feel the soothing warm water on your hands. Enjoy the tickle of the tiny bubbles. Crank your favorite album at an unusually loud volume, do a couple fist-pumps while shouting “Can I get a hell yeah for the dishes? Hell! Yeah!” and pretend you love it.

6. Before you get up each morning, set an intent for the day.

In The Art of Happiness, the Dali Lama says “”Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.” Wow. What a wise man. I tend to wake up with a strong visceral reaction that says, “Attention human beings: Be afraid of me before coffee. Be very afraid!” Setting a daily intent makes a huge difference. Your daily intent could be something like “be productive” or “enjoy today’s delicious moments” or it could be something more specific like “say thank you to my loved ones today.” But it should not be another “to do” item on your list.

7. Do small favors for your housemates, expecting nothing in return (not even a thank you!).

(That’s right, I said it: nothing!) Mow the lawn for your husband, but don’t expect him to pat you on the back. Make the bed for your wife, but don’t try to get bonus points for it. Take the trash out for your roommate, just because. The ability to cultivate strong, healthy relationships is one of the biggest contributors to health and happiness, but when you start to keep score, the benefit is lost. (No! It’s YOUR turn to clean up the dog poop!) It’s a well-known fact: When you do good, you feel good.

8. Call at least one friend or family member a day.

You can do this while you clean, while you make the bed, or while you walk the dog. Texts and emails do not count! Make an actual phone call to a loved one, just to chat and catch up. We humans are social beings and studies show that even when we don’t feel like it, even if we are naturally introverted, socializing with our loved ones makes us feel better.

9. Spend money on things that cultivate experiences at home.

Save money for a new grill for parties or a new DVD for family movie night — something that will encourage you to have people over and entertain. Plan a summer barbeque, invite your closest friends, kick back and relax. (And don’t forget to print out the pictures to remember the good times.)

10. Spend a few minutes each day connecting with something greater than yourself.

Whatever your spiritual beliefs — or non-beliefs — may be, studies show that connecting to a high power is correlated with happiness. Just stepping back to realize that we are part of an enormous universe can put some perspective on your annoyance with the those-are-definitely-not-mine-and-they-are-abso-fricking-lutely-repulsive socks under the coffee table. Before bed, spend just a few minutes contemplating something larger than yourself. Take a walk in nature. Write in a journal. Create a sacred space in your home. (Or if spirituality is really not your thing, create a home spa: light some candles, soak in a hot bath, delve into a good book… are you feeling better yet?)

_______________________________________

I'm Green. Until I'm Not

I'm green. No for real. I take the call of being a Christian very seriously and part of that call, I feel is to preserve the planet He has created for us.

I mainly use "green" products. Trader Joe's has the awesome all purpose cleaner that I have used for awhile to clean everything, counters, bathrooms, windows, glass, high chair, table, whatever.

Whole Foods has awesome, cheap detergent and all purpose scrubbing cleaners for the tubs, tile, etc....

A few years ago I quit buying napkins and paper towels. I started back after my mom gave me a Costco size box of paper towels when Jesse was born. I was addicted so fast again!

Then my dishes washer went out. SERIOUSLY! So I continued our paper plate consumption, which we also started when Jesse was born. It was just so easy when people were bringing meals for us to have paper plates and not have to worry about the dishes.

I used to recycle obsessively. We have recycle pick up and I swear we always have the most on the curb. They don't pick up glass so I used to take our glass to the local recycle center myself.

I know I sound crazy. I accept that. I am OCD...No really. I'm diagnosed. If I told you all the things that run through my head....YOU'D really know.

Anyway. We had even starting composting all our compostable material to fertilize our garden. We acquired a rain barrel to catch rain so that we could water our garden with out running up our water bill.

WE WERE GREEN, PEOPLE.

I had no products with HFCS. I had switched most of our flour products to whole wheat. I was making so much progress!

Our garden was awesome!

Then we went and had another dang baby.

He put a kink in my greenness.

And THEN....THENNNNNNN. These past two weeks happened.

Let me tell you. My greenness went out the window with the stench of vomit and diarrhea.

I RANNNNN to the nearest Walgreens and bought all the Clorox products I could find.

Today I have been washing anything and everything that can be washed. I've been boiling paci's, toothbrushes, (because I JUST bought new ones after Benji was in the hospital). I have moped and swept and scrubbed and wiped every surface.

It's been a long day. I'm so over winter, and illness and stench and cold. I am ready for summer and health and being green again and warm weather!

Contagion

WHAT A FRIIICKKKKINNNNNN WEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!! 

this is all I'm going to leave you with right now. i am too exhausted to explain and if we are friends on Facebook, or in real life you know the story. 

Tomorrow we head to Infectious Disease Control Center to see if we can find some more answers. 

I at least NOW have a legitimate excuse for my Xanax prescription, right???? 

Whole Foods Sister

The Whole Foods Experience. 

I could not have said it better so I'll just let her! So hilarious. 

Natural Perfumes

I was going to do a post on the few perfumes I picked up awhile back at Whole Foods.

When I went to google more info on them I ran across a post that the Pioneer Woman had done on the exact perfumes...

So convenient! And such great taste she has!

I have the Guava, the Grapefruit and the Sandalwood. I LOVE them all so much I could never decide which is my fav. I keep the Guava in my purse so I probably use it the most.

Here is PDubs post on Pacifica Perfumes....
I know for sure you can find them at Sephora, Whole Foods, Earth Fare and online.

Reason # 234 I Love Greenville

We aint never leavin this city!

I joke all the time (even though I'm kinda serious) that I prayed God would let us serve in a city with a Whole Foods and Starbucks.

Well he did!

I also found that Publix is a main grocery store in town, which I love as much as Whole Foods, for different reasons.

One reason I love Publix is because of their Apron Meals. They regularly sample full meals and always have a stand near by with recipe cards, telling you exactly what ingredients you need for a full meal.


These Apron Meals are super easy, quick and I've never tried one we didn't love.

BUT the reason for this post is to mention that this week Greenville opened it's first TRADER JOES!!!!!!
Hallelujer, Hallelujer!

Trader Joe's is a cross between Whole Foods and Aldi. If you can imagine.

The company is actually owned by Aldi, which isn't widely known I don't think....

Anyway, many items in the store are organic. They follow similar standards as Whole Foods such as no item has any artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives, no genetically modified ingredients, no MSG and no added trans fats. Basically this means I can shop without having to study every label!

Most of the items are Trader Joe's brand, which keeps the cost super low.

They also have super fun specialty items. I'm in love!

Day Time Love

Guess who has their own new day time T.V. show!!!!!



Oprah may be leaving day time, but she's left us with Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz and now cutie patootie interior designer Nate Berkus!

I May Be A Peach

I may be a Georgia peach, but I am in luuuurrrrvvvv with nectarines.

Mainly because they ain't furry!

And they are usually bigger.

And juicer.

They are totally in season right now. And amazing!

Yesterday I bought some at Publix, put the bags in the car ( I was waiting on Benji's drugs from the pharmacy...another post another time) any way, he was waiting in the car with Emery. When I came back out she had grabbed one out of the bag and was going to town on it!

It was all over her face, hands, the car seat, but she was loving it so much I just let her finish it. I think she even ate the little fruit sticker off the side. haha.

Any way, get some if you haven't!

I'm In The Mood For...

I guess I'm just in the mood for griping b/c this is my second post about my frustrations with the people who actually have jobs out there.

I mean if I had a job and I needed it (I realize some people work but don't "need" too????)

Any way. If I had a job in this economy- even if it was at Walmart I would be thankful.

But I swear, yesterday I actually walked out of Walmart. Leaving my intended purchase behind. That's. How. Bad. It. Was.

I will spare you the details. Because it was so excruciatingly painful, slow, and lazy...that I can not possibly recount the story without my blood pressure rising.

Just know that ANYONE can get a job at Walmart. The girl that I mistakenly chose as my cashier was so annoyed at being on the clock she was physically laying on her register.

While the woman she was ringing up (in front of me) in the 20 items or less EXPRESS lane, had TWO separate transactions. BOTH with 30+ items. And wrote a check.....

I finally put down my one item after she started unloading her second cart.

Unreal.

This is why Publix and Whole Foods have my heart.

Feels Like Home To Me

I can not explain how much I love Whole Foods. I can not explain how much it has changed my life.

I've said before, when Benji was looking for a job I had two requirements.

A city w/ a Starbucks and a Whole Foods.

Well God honored my request. And I thank him often.

And, contrary to most people's opinion, they have the cheapest milk, eggs, cheese, bacon, peanut butter, yogurt.... etc in town....the list could go on of the things that I buy that are staples there.....That are the cheapest in town.

And all the staples I buy I can feel good about feeding my family.

I might cry, I am so over come with love.

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

No Stress Policy

Back in college my sister and I used to say we had a "no stress policy"....if it stressed us out we just didn't do it....haha. like homework, working out, etc.

It was a funny joke back then. But recently I've been thinking about the things that are causing stress in my life. I've decided I'm gonna cut some things out. Just quit worrying about them, because they are making life more difficult.

1. I'm gonna quit stressing out about my weight. I'm done. I've worried/thought about my weight probably every day since I was 10 years old. When I graduated high school I was 5'7 and 115lbs. And I thought I was fat....And on and on every day since then. I'm over it! I'm gonna still work out like I have been. Eating the right things (most of the time). but I'm done stressing about it.

2. I"m gonna quit buying a paper every Sunday and never looking at the coupons. I'm gonna quit stressing out about coupons! I know they are suppose to make life easier by helping save money, but they just stress me out! The papers just add clutter to my house, then once I get around to clipping the coupons I buy stuff I don't use! I'm over this too.

3. If I don't want breakfast I ain't gonna eat it! I'm going to quit stressing out about eating breakfast every day. I don't care if it's the most important meal of the day. Some days I just don't want breakfast.

4. I'm gonna drink my diet coke. Every day. And I'm not gonna feel guilty about it. Life is too short. I'm southern, native of Georgia at that. My blood needs Coke to run efficiently. So there. I'm not stressing about that any more either.

5. Finally, If my kid watches T.V. so that I can go to the bathroom alone. I'm not going to stress about it. I'm not going to worry about her brain not developing properly because she watched 30 minutes of Sid The Science Kid. I'm over that as well.

I feel better now!

It's Genetic

If you've known me long, the fact that I have a slight obsession with books is an understatement.

I love love love books.

I was the girl who never sold back my textbooks, because I loved them. I used to hate loaning out books, because I loved them. I would buy books anywhere I found them, because...you got it.....

I loved them.

Upon graduating from seminary/ having a baby, and buying our first real house (we owned a condo before, but all that means is we didn't get the 8,000 bucks from Obama when we bought our first real home) anywhoo..... after all that I decided it was time to downsize our book collection.

So I sold. And sold. And sold.....books in 3 yard sales. It was sad to see them go.

In my attempts to be "green" I have also made a commitment to not buy anymore books and to use my library.

Let me just tell you. I stinkin love my library.

It makes me actually read a book in a timely manner, because I know I have to return it as not to be charged. And we all know I won't be charged.

I'm frugal like that.

If you don't visit your library. Do. I cant' wait until Emery is old enough to check out books.

Did I mention that she has a slight obsession with books as well? If she could she would have me read her every book she has, all day everyday.

It's genetic. I know.

Do Your Part

So we signed up for Netflix.

Love it.

But, that's beside the point. One of the first movies I watched was a documentary called, Food INC...... I've been wanting to see it for awhile. Here are some simple tips on how to help our environment, our wallets and of course help YOURSELF.

We could all use some health tips right? And if it benefits our wallets and our environment that is a plus.

1. Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages....(in my case...DIET COKE)
You can lose 25 lbs in a year by replacing one 20 oz soda a day with a no calorie beverage (preferably water).

2. Eat at home instead of eating out.
Children consume almost twice (1.8 times) as many calories when eating food prepared outside the home.

3. Support the passage of laws requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards.
Half of the leading chain restaurants provide no nutritional information to their customers.

4. Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks.
Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have tripled in children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years.

5. Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week.
An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to farm animals.

6. Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides.
According to the EPA, over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the U.S.

7. Protect family farms; visit your local farmer's market.
Farmer's markets allow farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar spent by the consumer.

8. Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS.
The average meal travels 1500 miles from the farm to your dinner plate.

9. Tell Congress that food safety is important to you.
Each year, contaminated food causes millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths in the U.S.

10. Demand job protections for farm workers and food processors, ensuring fair wages and other protections.
Poverty among farm workers is more than twice that of all wage and salary employees.

Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?

Ever heard the saying, "messy car, messy life"? Well I believe it.

Disorganization is a symptom of a bigger issue. A chaotic house, piles of junk, clutter is all a representation of internal chaos. I know that when I'm feeling depressed, anxious, over stressed, my house, my car, my KITCHEN all reflects that.

anyhoo....I've always suspected all this to be true....well I ran across this book and it takes it a step further, noting that our issues with weight are also connected to all the clutter. The clutter in our minds, the clutter in our homes manifest itself as "clutter" on our butts!

Simple concept really....but hard and convicting to work through!

20 Favorite Things

Benji is in Ecuador and I miss him SOOOO much. This is really the first time he has been away this long.

Needless to say I have spent a few days in Gainesville with my mom. Which has been awesome. I swam, (aka laid out by the pool) every day....Ate way too much and had Starbucks every morning....

I'm spoiled rotten. I know. So what.

Any way. I've been driving back and forth to Gainesville a bunch this last week, so I've had some time to think.

Think of things that have changed my life.

You may think some are insignificant things really, but they have changed me for the better none the less.

*No significant order*

1. DVR
2. Crushed ice
3. Oscar Mayer, fully cooked bacon....I ain't kiddin people,have you tried it!?
4. The Twilight series
5. Baby Legs: leg warmers for baby
6. My garden
7. Reusable grocery bags
8. Bare Minerals Cosmetics
9. Sugar In The Raw
10. Emery Hart Ladd: EST 7.31.08
11. Ipod
12. Whole Foods
13. Benefit: Benetint
14. Burts Bees lip balm
15. Starbucks Pike's Place roast
16. My old/new friend at Brushy Creek: Jocelyn Kay
17. Splenda
18. Advil
19. YMCA
20. Trader Joe's Lavender Dryer Bags

It's the simple things in life really.....

Emery 9 Months

It has been awhile since I posted so I'm "marathon" posting tonight. We have been so busy with moving and ministry. We have finally finished our painting and revamping of the house. I've already hosted three parties! I had our monthly girls night get together, our entire family, and all Benji's Sunday School teachers over in a weeks time....whew!

Emery has also been keeping me busy. She is crawling all over the place now. She is eating new things every day. I think she is pretty much done with "baby" food. She really enjoys her "finger" foods now.

She has four teeth with another pushing through. At her 9 month appointment this week she measured in at 30 inches and 18 lbs....tall and skinny. ha ha I remember those days! So long ago!

Speaking of, I am still working hard to get rid of that baby weight that is still hanging on.

We also planted our first garden this spring. We have tomatoes, red, green and orange bell peppers, squash, blackberries, basil, parsley, dill, chives and oregano. yumm!

Benji is having not so much fun cutting the grass every weekend, but our yard sure does look good! We are having a blast in our new home and love being back in Greenville.








First experience with a half of a whole banana.

To Da Eastside

We finally moved.

Hence the lack of blogging by yours truly. Any spare time we have is spent in the garage sorting through 7 years of crapola (can a pastors wife say crapola?).

I hate junk. But I'm too cheap just to throw it away, therefore I must sort through it all to see if there is any monetary value. I have to know if I could use it in anyway or if it could possibly be sold for any amount of cash....or given to Good Will and counted as a tax write off.

If you have alot of junk in your life I suggest you get rid of it.

It is very freeing to throw stuff out. It is also amazing to see people buy your junk at a yard sale...... like you have a secret they don't know. That it is really junk. Ha ha. I LOVE IT!

I made 230 dollars selling stuff that meant nothing! I mean like shoes from high school, clothes from 6 years ago, stuff I got for free in the mail, etc.

Let go of it. It's just stuff.

We have been mucho busy. Trying to get the house settled the way we'd like it to be. Emery is growing so fast. I love getting to stay at home with her.

Some days are overwhelming. Especially recently with so much to do around the house. But most days I really enjoy being at home.

I've been working on a post about C- sections like I promised. I'll finish it soon just as soon as I get the garage organized. ha ha.......