Judgements

My Kentucky Gentleman and I are fans of Joel Osteen.  I am not a huge fan of so called "Mega Churches" typically, only because I feel you lose "fellowship" once you get too large.  But anyhow, we love listening to Joel Osteen's messages every Sunday morning. 

This past Sunday, he talked about not casting off people who you feel don't live up to your expectations or standards.  He said you should not push away those who "don't fit into your box".  These people could be God bringing you an important message, an important relationship, etc.

For some reason, I clearly listened to what he had to say.  I am so guilty of this.  I've had friends in the past that I decreased activities with  because they became "needy", or "nutty" or one of our most used words was "psycho".  I realized on Sunday, I was judging these people.  I asked myself, "Why are you judging them?" and the answer, I knew immediately.  I was judging my friends and acquaintances for things I did not like about myself.  Ive prayed numerous times for God to take away this judgemental side of me far away.  I don't like it in my head and I certainly don't care for it to be in my heart.  God loves all of his children, even me.  I have faults, flaws, sin....I am not perfect, so who am I to judge?  Am I so much greater than God that I can criticize his handiwork?  That struck me deep inside when I thought about it that way.  I was an idiot and I was acting like a jerk when I judged others.

I am trying harder everyday to (as my friend Erika would say): "Worry about yourself."  I want to be a  better friend.  I'm praying God can help me with this.  I want my son to be proud of me.  So...

If you see/hear me judging others: CALL ME OUT!!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Rough and Tumble Boys...

...I really am trying to get used to this.  Why is it so difficult?

Every time he bumps his head I am afraid he's got a concussion.  Severe brain bleeding, hemorrhaging and swelling just fill my every waking thought.  I check the pupils, the motor skills and the whole nine yards for every head bump.  I mean, I am seriously up ALL night checking that he is still breathing!

Every cut deserves a trip to urgent care (you're welcome, Dr. Ken and Margaret, I'm sure your mortgage is paid...just kidding...sort of) because I am just sure he needs stitches...or maybe a blood transfusion.

Every bruise is checked with a microscope, every scratch is cleaned to ward off infection..or some other flesh eating bacteria that I'm positive he will get.

My good friend Krista (and mommy to two boys) assures me, "you just have yourself a rough and tumble boy".  I thank God for her some days, but seriously, I am going to check his breathing again right now.

How do you mommas of these beloved boys ever relax?  It's the wine isn't it?  I should buy stock in Robert Mondavi.

Good night Mommas!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

P.S.  Did I mention I have three sisters and just about all female cousins?  I don't know the first thing about boys.

THE Icon

The ultimate HOMEMAKER, the ultimate STAY AT HOME MOM, the ultimate MOTHER OF ADVENTUROUS BOYS has passed on. 

Yes, folks, my idol, my icon, my role model (both her television persona and the real life persona) has gone to be with our Lord...

Rest In Peace, June Cleaver (Barbara Billlingsley).

December 22, 1915 to October 16, 2010

I will miss you...

Grandmothers...

me and my grandma. 1978

I had the best darn Grandmother in the whole world when I was growing up! 

First of all, she let us run around her yard picking apples and catching lightning bugs. 

She was the best cook ever, and made some great fried okra.  I loved her apple turnovers in the fall and her butter pecan ice cream in the summer.  She could fry chicken so well, it made you want to slap yo' momma!

She had the best chunky jewelry and satiny-est nightgowns.  My sisters, cousins and I would all dress up and play princess or wedding (our favorite).  I was always the groom because I was the tallest.

We could plunder her refrigerator, her closet, her drawers, whatever.  She was Grandma and just didn't care what we touched, moved, tipped over, broke, tangled up, greased up, ripped, soiled...as long as we were having fun.  I do not EVER remember her getting angry with us for "ruining something". 

I hope W.A. has some sweet memories of his Grandmothers (Oma and Grammy) that he can pass on as well.

(love and miss you GMA)

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

THE BEST BLOG EVER...

I just read it, cried, shared it on Facebook, and feel I have to share it again here.  This is the best blog ever (sorry Amy, youve been bumped to #2, but you'll understand why after you've read it) and everyone should read this specific post: http://www.danoah.com/2010/09/how-much-did-your-kid-cost.html

And please, if you can, read this beautiful story as well: http://www.danoah.com/2010/09/noah.html

November is National Adoption Awareness month.  I am a little early, but this one hits close to my heart!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Why can't we do it? WE CAN!!!

This post totally and completely inspired me! 

http://www.declansjourney.com/ ("Pink Envy")

Let me tell you "why" first. 

I have a 22 month old son.  He is my world and I waited a long long long time to be a mommy.  He is my most precious moment every moment of my life.  He can be considered the: air I breath, the food that sustains me, my life, and the ultimate love that keeps me going....when I read Sherri and Stan's story, I could not help but put myself in their shoes and W.A. in Declan's shoes.  I would be devastated.  Every child deserves the chance to live, but with my faith in God I know he has a greater plan (look at Declan's friends on Facebook alone for proof!) and I know I just cannot question that.  So....

Declan's Mommy asked the question: "Can you just think about how perception and awareness for Pediatric Cancer would be changed if next September the NFL premiered Wear Gold for Pediatric Cancer?"

WHAT IF?  No.  I mean REALLY, WHAT IF?????????

Ladies!  We are mommies and wives and homemakers!  We are the advertiser's COMPLETE AND MAIN TARGET!!! WE SPEND THE HOUSEHOLD MONEY!  Get out your pens!  Get out your fingers!  Pick up your phones!  Write/Type/Call them!  Let's DO IT!  Like NIKE says: LETS DO IT!!!!!

Cheers!

W.A's Momma

Raising a Gentleman

Just some thoughts I had tonight...

I want to raise a gentleman.

I want my son to know the importance of saying "yes ma'am" and "no ma'am".  I want him to be chivalrous and hold doors, and help ladies across the street.  And although I don't expect him to be handing out monogrammed handkercheifs to every lady (young or old) in distress, I expect him to be compassionate, empathetic, and noble.  I expect him to be a good man.

I expect him to support his spouse emotionally, physically, financially, and lovingly.  I expect him to raise his children.  I expect him to earn a living.  I expect him to eat right, exercise, work hard, and educate himself.  But most of all, I want him to know the value and benefits of serving his fellow man.

I am thankful I have a husband who puts these practices into physicality everyday.  I am glad I have brothers (in-law) that have manners.  I am confident that my male friends can encourage the good habits I will teach.

I am thankful that my full time job is to be W.A.'s Mommy.  I promise to be diligent in teaching kindness when raising the next generation of men.

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Home...

What makes your house a home?

First and foremost, this is what makes my house a home...

However, every woman keeps house in some capacity.  I get the privilege of being a Homemaker.  W.A.'s Daddy and I love to read.  Here is a space in our home that has been set up as our library. 
It is our formal living room, but we have two family rooms already, we did not need another "sitting" area.  We have all of our books organized here, as well as our accolades, pictures of our family and some cozy throws for chilly nights.  As you can see, it is also a favorite "snoozing spot" for our very first baby, Anniebell.  The most special piece included in our library is an American flag that was flown over a military base in Afghanistan, given to W.A. for Christmas by a good friend.  We are very proud to show it off.

At our house, we love love love the beach.  My husband and my son are "water babies".  We feel at home every time we hear the sounds of the ocean or smell that salt air.  We wanted our most used family room to mimic a comfortable beach cottage.  The shells in the glass fish on our mantle were all collected at Sanibel Island.  My husband's parents took him and him siblings there every year when they were growing up.  Sanibel is full of shells of all shapes and sizes.  When collecting shells there, you are known to do the "Sanibel Stoop".

My Kentucky Gentleman and I love to cook (even though he is good at it and I am still learning).  Even more, we love to have nice dinners together so we gather around our dining room table for some great dishes on a regular basis.  We do love the beach, but when we honeymooned in St. Lucia and vacationed in Barbados, we wanted to bring the "island way" home with us.  Tommy Bahama is my favorite designer, so our dining room reflects the island way of life.

In the Spring, Summer and Fall, our family loves to be outside.  We have a pebbled patio just at the bottom of our back deck.  There is a firepit in the center so we can enjoy the outdoors even on the chilliest of nights.  We picked up these Adirondack chairs at Big Lots for a great price.  There are 4 of them and we painted two of them blue and two of them yellow to reflect our bright outlook on life!  Well, the bright colors do help during the gloomy winter!  I do alot of container gardening.  I have no green thumb, so this helps me keep my low gardening abilities in check.

Whatever makes your house your home, make sure it reflects your likes and your personality.  It makes your home cozy and you'll want to spend even more time there. This will be helpful through the cold winter when going outdoors isn't possible.

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

Support Your Local Library People!!!

Checking out books is FREE!  And they have great story time for the kiddos.  I know W.A. likes it!

Here is a fun video about our local library branch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8QjjKrEK7Y

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma

OCTOBER: Breast Cancer Awareness

*This one is for my Aunt Mary...(we love and miss you like nobody's business, W.A. would have loved loved loved you)!

In honor of October, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, W.A.'s Momma went to get a mammogram!

Yes!  I am only 33 years old, but I thought, "what the heck, I'm gonna show all you people that if I can do it, you can do it".  I have a very low pain threshold, but I did it anyway.  My insurance covers one annually for no charge.  It turns out, it was a good idea to get one at 33.  According to Nurse Sherri (and my sister in law) you should get a baseline mammogram at around 35 years of age.  Even earlier if you have a mother/sister/grandmother diagnosed with the disease.  Your risks also increase with age if you have not gone through childbirth.

I called the number my insurance company provided me on September 30th, AND got an appointment the FOLLOWING MORNING at 8:15am!  The Medical Imaging Center at Lees Hill was less than 4 miles from my house.  Sherri and Shirley were taking great care of me and giving me loads of information.  Most people won't get mammograms because of the cost (a topic for another time).  And others, because they think it hurts.  I am here to say: IT DOES NOT HURT AND IT WAS FAST!  Maybe a little uncomfortable for a few seconds.  According to Sherri, 7 people from that office alone were diagnosed with breast cancer LAST WEEK.  Sherri was passionate about her job, I could tell right away.  She said, "If you put 10 people in a room, 3 of them will have it, early detection is key".  I asked her about self checks, she recommends performing them once a month, around the same time every month, but not during your menstrual period.  Sherri and Shirley were so patient with my questions and very excited to help me on my quest for knowledge!  I'll be giving them rave reviews when my survey comes in.  And the results, my doctor will get in a week.  I'll keep you posted!

My Aunt Mary was the only one in my family diagnosed with breast cancer, and we are not aunt-niece by blood, only by marriage.  Still, I'll be getting them regularly.
Learn more at http://www.breastcancer.org/, or http://www.komen.org/

Let's nip this cancer in the boob, er, bud!

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma