2012 Recap

2012 was quite the year for us. Looking back, there were moments of epic failure, moments of complete bliss, and moments that left me wondering what lesson God was trying to teach me.  All things considered, it was a great year! Here's a recap just so I can remember it in the years to come!

We visited the funeral home twice in a week span (from the day after Christmas to the New Year's day), with one of our best friends saying goodbye to his mother, and a long time family friend (from our cow showing days) losing his battle to cancer.  It was a somber beginning to the new year, and our thoughts have been with both families several times throughout this year.  I know that this has been a rough year for a lot of people, and my heart has ached for them so much.  It seems crazy to me to think that we named JC after my grandfathers and Patrick's dad. In August of last year, we lost Pa. I found out a few weeks after his funeral that I was pregnant with Myra. He never even knew that we were going to have her. Patrick's dad never met her (here; I fully believe that both of my grandfathers and my father-in-law got to spend lots of time with her in heaven before she was born). It's been a tough year for my family; we're just not the same without Pa. 

At our house, the year started with with a minor renovation; we painted (and by we, I mean Patrick) the living room and hallway.  

JC helped remove all of the nails, then we headed to Scottsville for a few days. Pregnant + paint fumes = bad. During that time, Mom, JC & I picked out fabric for Myra's nursery. 

We changed the walls from a tan (I'm not sure the exact name) to Metropolis by Valspar. It seemed a fitting color for the year, especially considering that this would be the year of the superhero. (ignore the messy background; I was in the process of putting the room back together when this shot was taken. Don't ignore the boy in his underwear; you'd never see him if you did. He hates pants!) I just wanted to show the color of the walls now; it's not the best shot, but I'm in a hurry to get this done before Myra Mae wakes from her nap and it's the first shot I found!

Once we had the fabric, we chose a paint color for Myra's new room. It was a no brainer once I realized that "Fairy Tale Blue" (Benjamin Moore) was a perfect match to the accent shade in the main fabric.

Here we are just a few weeks before Myra was born. I planned to do a post about her room by now, but it's still not finished. I still need to buy some artwork to go above the crib; I had hoped to have something made, but that didn't work out. Two things I notice about this photo: My face gets really fat when I'm pregnant, and JC insisted that he wear those gloves for the entire winter. I think this was made at the end of March, so it's a little out of order for the "month-by-month" recap.

 In February, we celebrated JC's birthday. We both had doctor's appointments that day, so Patrick and I took off the whole day to spend with him. He had been asking to go bowling, so we took him to eat at Chick fil A (his favorite place), and to Stakz for some frozen yogurt. On his birthday, we let him pick out his presents. We always take him to Toys R Us and let him choose a few things that he wants. I spend so much energy trying to hide presents (unsuccessfully) at Christmas, that it just seems easier this way, and he loves to shop. Wonder who he can thank for that trait? Ha! He picked a few Thomas the Train sets, and a couple of Bob the Builder DVD's. We spent the first part of the year obsessed with both, but he quickly lost interest once he acquired an entire train station. 

JC had so much fun bowling. It was all he talked about the rest of the week!

I continued to have morning sickness until about a month before Myra was born. It was awful! With JC, I lost about 20 lbs. I was just as sick with her, but didn't manage to lose weight; in fact, I was actually a few pounds up when I had her. Blah.  

We had a very uneventful March-May. We were sure that Myra would come early, mainly because we weren't ready for her to come. So, we had a few "last day out as a family of 3" celebrations. 

Patrick and I had a few dinner dates, thanks to our moms watching JC for a few hours. It was so nice to get a chance to have some alone time before everything changed.

I went to the doctor the week before Myra's due date (39 weeks), and was miserable enough that my wonderful doctor suggested that we induce (as we had had to do with JC because he was 3 days past his due date).  So, we picked the date 5.7.12 (because our anniversary was 5.12.07). Dr. Lyons called to let us know that she would have to reschedule for the 8th. No problemo. I was just happy to have her out of me! I had began my maternity leave April 30th, and it broke my heart to say goodbye to my students. They were such a special group, and I hated that I wouldn't see them for their end-of-year celebration and their final days at Memorial.  

I had the entire week before she was born to get ready; I had my house spotless (for what will probably be the last time until they go off to college!), and JC and I spent most of the week together.  On the 7th, we spent the day with JC, doing whatever he wanted.  We went to the park, ate at Chick fil A and Stakz, and we went to Toys R Us to play and buy a new toy. We also went bowling before sending him off to spend the night with my parents. Patrick and I had planned to go out that night, but I was so exhausted that we just stopped at Jimmy Johns on our way home (one of my favorite cheap places to eat). It was nice to get a good nights sleep; it turned out to be the last one I would have of 2012! 

We arrived at the hospital at 6 (way too early for me!), and the nurse registered me as the wrong person. I got settled in only to learn that I was having a total hysterectomy instead of a baby. She wasn't very impressed and acted like it was my fault. Thankfully, that was the only fluke with the day. I was very nervous. Not as scared as I was with JC (where I yelled to Patrick that if he loved me he would take me home right then), but I knew that if something went wrong, I would be leaving him behind. Thankfully, it went great! 

On May 8th, at 2:40, Myra Mae Gray was born. I pushed 2 times, felt nothing, and wanted to leave Patrick for the anesthesiologist (especially after the one I had with JC refused to come back and make the epidural work). He was my hero! I vomited on the delivery table twice, and almost passed out, but it was such an easy labor and delivery otherwise. Mom was there, and Dad brought JC, Granny, and Grams shortly after. I wanted JC to get to meet her before everyone else; I knew that once people poured in, we wouldn't get a chance to have a quiet family moment. Myra gave JC a new backpack filled with books about being a big brother, Toy Story 2 & 3, some candy, and a few small toys. He loved her from the beginning! Ha! 

Our first photo as a family of 4!

Myra Mae's birth announcement.

We arrived home exhausted. I don't know how people without family support do it; I know we were so lucky! My parents kept JC the rest of the week, and he came home for a night before going to Patrick's mom's house for a week. Myra slept about 8 hours the whole first weeks, and I was more exhausted than I've ever been in my life. Thankfully, Patrick has an amazing boss, so he was able to take off almost 2 full weeks. I don't know if I could have done it alone! 

Here they are on Mother's Day, when Myra was just a few days old. We had had about 15 hours of sleep that week! 

When Myra was born, the attending pediatrician (we had her at a hospital in a different town than our pediatrician's office, so we had to see the on-call one while there) said that she was temperamental. I wish I could hunt her down and beat her! Ha! It was like she gave Myra permission to fulfill that role. 

We had to go back to the hospital to meet with the lactation consultant because she wasn't latching correctly. With JC, breastfeeding was so easy; not so with Myra! But, nothing seemed easy with her those first few weeks.  She lost weight; JC had gained at his first check-up. We had to make 3 trips to BG in the first week just to keep checking her weight gain. I had a breakdown at the doctor's office because she just wouldn't gain any weight despite eating. All. The. Time. I knew that I was making plenty of milk, so we met with the lactation consultant. It turned out to be a super simple fix, and she was up almost a pound the next week. Now, she's 7 months old & in 9-12 month clothes. 

I also found out 2 days after coming home that I didn't have a job for the next year. This was one of those answered prayers, and I was completely grateful for the opportunity to spend this time home with my babies.  I loved my job and my students immensely, but I just felt that my place (for the time being) was at home with my own kids. I had prayed and prayed that there would be a way for me to stay home this year. I know that I burned a bridge in doing so; I'll never get to go back to my gigantic classroom with the huge picture windows that overlooks a cow pasture (seriously, how many teachers have that kind of view?). My students were the best. They threw me a baby shower my last day. They're just a bunch of country kids for the most part, and we all got along so well. I really miss them, and that place. But, I'm happy here. Anyway, my former boss met us in the high school parking lot to sign the paperwork. I was a mix of hormones, very emotional, just a few days post-pardum and exhausted. I cried the whole way home. Then, my dad reminded me that it was what I had wanted; I had prayed the entire pregnancy that I wouldn't have to leave her with a sitter. It worked out that in August, our babysitter (probably the only non-family people I would trust with JC & Myra) retired. 

We spent the summer trying to stay cool. Patrick carried the mail several times in the scorching heat. We played with the cows, ate at Chuy's, and spent lots of time as a family of four.  

We went on our very first "date" to see The Dark Knight Rises. It was amazing. JC (I mean Superman) insisted on being in this photo. Myra was asleep, and we thought it would be mean to Mimi to wake her for a picture then run out the door! Oh, and sometime during the summer, our own superhero was born; from The middle of July until now, JC has worn non-superhero clothes probably 20 times total (including church). He even wears his superman t-shirts as undershirts to church most Sundays. The kid is obsessed! He has 9 Superman shirts, 6 Batman, 4 Spiderman, and 2 that have all the Marvel heroes on them.  He has Batman boots, tons of books, and lots of toys. I'll post more in the Christmas recap, if I ever get to it! Oh, and this is my new hair (after I cut 8 inches off). Don't get used to it; it didn't last long. 

Here's JC & my Dad (Grumps) at the farm. Notice the cape? It was the 2nd one and is now shredded from wear! 

Towards the end of July, we found a new church. It has been such a HUGE blessing for us. I can't even begin to explain it, and I'm not going to try in this post. I'll just say that, as a family, we are so much stronger than ever, and I leave EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY feeling like God was talking to me. I have never felt that before, and I'm finding that my faith is growing stronger by the day.  It was really cool that we spent Sunday morning this week listening to one of my old childhood friends preach; he and his parents go to that church, and we grew up going to church together. I always thought the world of his whole family, so it was wonderful to sit and listen to him. It was a nice way to end the year! I'll write more about our church later. 

In August, my fellow teachers returned to school. I anticipated being a little depressed about it, but I wasn't. In fact, I'm still loving being home.  Our bank account wishes that I was working, but we're getting by. 

In September, we embraced our love for all things superheroes and had some pictures made by Andrea from Wolfe Photography. 

This is one of my favorite images from the shoot. Andrea was amazing to work with, and I know that we'll be calling her in the future. Truthfully, we haven't had a bad experience with any of the people we've had do pictures. I look forward to the day when I have lots of money so that we can have family photos done quarterly! Ha! 

We had so much fun watching as JC & Myra reached milestones. JC has been so encouraging to Myra. Every time she learns something new--good or bad--he cheers her on and makes the biggest deal out of it. For example, the other day, he said, "Look, Mommy! Myra hates that! Isn't she a good Pretty Girl? She showed us what she didn't like!" Every morning, he still says, "Good morning, Pretty Girl!" and he spends approximately 5300 minutes each day making sure her every need is met (whether she knows she needs it or not). He's such a generous kid! 

It's very clear that she's quite smitten with her big brother, too! 

Here she is just a few months old; they only have eyes for each other!

This is how JC spent a lot of his time the first few weeks of her life. Don't worry; she wasn't sleeping in the crib at that point (I took the bumper out before she slept in the bed, and the blanket was only there because I had just folded it and was putting stuff away--which was the only time she was in her room until she was several months old). Notice the green paint on the stool? That's from his room (painted before he was born). A little DIY mishap. Patrick didn't notice it until it was dry, and I'm too lazy busy to worry with it.  The stool lives in the laundry room, and I normally only use it when I'm trying to get lightbulbs off of the shelf. So it wasn't a huge priority. 

Our superhero didn't disappoint at Halloween.  We only go trick or treating in our neighborhood (there are only about 10 houses that pass out candy), and to our old babysitter's house. He doesn't need a lot of candy, so we don't make a big deal out of it. It turned cold for the first time all year, and Myra and I walked with them on our street, but we came back home and left them to the rest of the subdivision.  Our tradition is that we get McDonald's after we go to Nanny & Poppy's (the babysitter's), so he feels like he's getting a little more of a treat. Myra didn't dress up.  She had a superhero costume (from the superhero photos), but I didn't put it on her because it was so cold. She didn't mind, and neither did I!

Here she is just before Thanksgiving.  It's the last picture we have our our house with carpet.  That's a post coming soon, I promise! I love her chunky legs. Since this picture, she's gotten so fat that those baby legs won't stay on her thighs. Ha! I grow them "fluffy" as Dr. Garrett says. 

We tried to get a family photo at Thanksgiving.  They both had adorable shirts; but this is as good as it got for the photos.  It was one of those odd days that started chilly but was 70 when we took this shot. It got chilly again before we left Granny's. This photo is a reminder that I MUST flat iron my hair if I'm going to dry it straight. I look like a bad 80's movie! 

Here are my 2 favorite photos for the year: 

I just love these two faces! 

We sent our Christmas card out, and it was my favorite one yet.  I ordered 50, thinking it would be enough, then discovered that it wasn't.  There were about 25 people on my list that I wanted to send to and didn't after we sent to family (Patrick has a HUGE family!). I ordered more, and they were supposed to be here by the 23rd, but didn't make it until after the mail went out on the 24th. I have connections with the post office (Patrick works at Munfordville, Horse Cave, Hodgenville, and anywhere else locally that they need him, and my dad is a postmaster in Adolphus). So, I knew that I could get the local ones out as long as I sent them to work with Patrick. But, due to a communication error, he took the ones that were going to his coworkers, and nothing else. So, all of the people on the list from Munfordville and Horse Cave got left out. So sorry! Anyway, here it is:

I still haven't uploaded the first Christmas photo. We have Christmas with Patrick's family on Christmas Eve, then we stay home all day Christmas. My parents and grandmother come for breakfast and then they go to Granny's house. Patrick's mom comes over for lunch. Then, on the 26th, we go to Granny's. the 26th was Pa's birthday, so it became our tradition that we go there on that day. 

That's our year in review.  Today, we went to Lowe's to get the baseboards to replace the ones we ripped up during the flooring installation. I picked up paint for JC's new superhero room. I'm hoping to tackle that project later in the week. We'll see!  

Tonight, we are staying in. Tomorrow, as is our tradition, we'll be lazy and in our pj's most of the day. I love spending the first day of the New Year with my family; it sets a great precedent for the remainder of the year! 

I hope you have had a fantastic year, and I hope that 2013 is even better for you! 

Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dip

If you know me in real life, it's no secret that I am obsessed with Chuy's. We went to the one in Louisville last winter, just before Christmas. It was the most delicious thing ever (of course, it helped that I was pregnant and happened to be craving Mexican food three times a day that month day).  We were so excited after several trips back to find out that there were plans to open one locally (in Bowling Green). This meant I could get my fix for the creamy jalapeno ranch dip on a more regular basis.

We went 9 times the first month they were open! 

Patrick casually mentioned to one of his co-workers (who can cook) that I was a bit obsessed with it (I think his words were that I would leave him for a gallon of it...he's probably right!).  Imagine my surprise when he arrived home with all of the ingredients to give it a try. I was excited, but I had low expectations. Not that my husband can't cook. He does 90% of the cooking in our house, and it's always delicious. I just didn't think that it would be as good as Chuy's.  But, Phillip, the guy who gave him the recipe, is known for his cooking abilities, so I knew it would be good. Patrick made it, and to my surprise it was the exact same. I think I ate an entire gallon of it the first week. 

While Chuy's chips are the best, we usually buy the On the Border brand tortillas to go with it. Sometimes I place them in the oven for about a minute (on 175) just to warm them, but I usually just eat them straight out of the bag.  

Here's what you need: 

1/2 a bunch of fresh cliantro
1/2 a jar of tomatillo sauce (*note: Kroger didn't have the brand we normally buy, so we tried this. It wasn't quite as spicy as normal, but it still tasted great. I'll try to post the brand we normally buy the next time I see it).
2 cups buttermilk
1 pt Mayo
1 fresh jalapeno
3 packets of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (NOT the dip. We tried it once and it was no where near the same taste or texture as the real stuff)
Blender

Directions:
Chop the cilantro and jalapeno.
Mix them in a bowl, and add them to a blender.
Pour in the buttermilk, tomatillo sauce, and Mayo and blend until combined.
Pour in the 3 packets of ranch dressing mix and mix for a few minutes on your blender's highest setting.

This is what it will look like before your blend it.  Please ignore the horrible quality of these photos. It was raining, and my kitchen doesn't get much natural light. 

It's best if you chill it for a few hours before eating, but I can't ever wait that long. I usually get a small bowl to enjoy right away. We've tried it with whole butter milk and low-fat and can't taste a difference at all. So, we go for the lower calorie version. I looked it up once, and caloriecounter.com said that there were 135 in 2 tablespoons of the original version.  Going by the nutritional data on the back of what we make, there are about 150 in 1/2 cup.  Not that I've ever been able to eat just 1/2 cup! Ha! Enjoy! 

Home Sweet Home Maybe?

Patrick finally finished the floors. I say finally not as a nagging wife as in "What the heck have you been doing you lazy bum? Why aren't the floors finished?" But in the context that he has been working round the clock for the past week to get them done. Just so we're clear. Ahhem.

After the all clear from him to return home yesterday, we loaded up the car and left Mimi and Grumps's house. I'm not going to lie, it felt so good to be going home!

As soon as I stepped on the first porch step, I knew we wouldn't be staying. I could still smell the polyurethane on the floor. But, when I opened the door, the smell was significantly less. Patrick was going to meet us there as soon as he got off work, so we decided to stay (it was just a little over an hour).  We went to Bowling Green as soon as he got home.

We stopped and picked up Mexican on our way home, so I was carrying the bags when I went back in the house, and I didn't notice the smell immediately.  In fact, we wound up staying from about 7:30 until just after midnight. 

My Momma anxiety kicked in and I scoured the internet from my phone (does anyone else do that? Bad idea. Leave the phone alone when it's time for bed!)

I couldn't find anything directly citing danger from the poly as far as having small children around it, but it suddenly was pressing on my chest like a weight. I had to get my babies out of there. I went to the garage and picked up the can. Here's what the label read:

This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer. 

*Note: this is paraphrased. I don't have the can with me right now.

It went on to list reproductive and respiration problems and neurological and developmental issues. 

And I let my 7 month old crawl around on that floor all night. My 3 year old ran around barefoot all night. My husband put it down, breathing it in for 3 days. All because I didn't want stained carpet in my Christmas pictures. 

I went into a panic. Premature? Possibly. Overreacting? Perhaps. But, I'd rather be the parent who takes every precaution than one who doesn't take enough. I knew better. I, the girl who only buys organic baby food (unless I make it, in which case it's also organic), avoids the dirty dozen food list like it's the plague, only buys food with the whole grain label on it and buys green products in everything that is available. I knew better. 

I KNEW BETTER. 

The can of sealer said that there could be light traffic within 24 hours. Patrick took that to mean us. It says not to move furniture on it for 72 hours, and not to put rugs down for a week. Yet, I was letting my kids play on it.

I felt like the worst mother in the history of the world. Spare me the "when you were little you chewed on lead based paint and turned out fine" stories. Really. Save them. That's not an acceptable excuse. Parents didn't know the dangers, and good parents eliminated the risk as soon as they were made aware of a danger. Period. 

So, at 11:30 last night, I began the mad dash to load everything we needed back into my car. We left for my parents' house about an hour later (these kids have a lot of stuff!), and arrived just before 2:00. 

Now, the entire perfect Christmas picture argument is a moot point; If this stuff doesn't hurry up and off gas (which, by the way, some sites say can take up to 28 DAYS), we won't even be at our house for Christmas.

Shopping Made Simple

It's no secret that I love to shop.  LOVE LOVE LOVE to shop.  Which has been difficult to do these past 7 months (since I'm now unemployed).

I tend to go overboard for events; I spend entirely too much money on Christmas, despite telling myself that I will scale back every year. Do you find yourself spending too much money? If not, tell me your secret!

One of the things that I have became obsessed with over the past few years is the ease of online ordering.  As much as I love to shop in store, it is so much easier to shop online than it is to get both kids dressed, pack a diaper bag and a backpack, listen to Myra cry her head off (the kid hates to ride!) on the way. That's just to get to the store. Then, I have to fight to get the stroller out of my car (well worth it because the stroller I have is Ahhhhmmmmaaaazing), struggle to force JC into it without running into traffic in the parking lot, tie Myra in the Moby, and go approximately 3 steps before realizing that I've forgotten something vital like JC's sippy cup or my purse.

Remember when shopping used to be as simple as looking in your closet and seeing that you have nothing to wear so you grabbed your keys and drove to the nearest mall to buy a new outfit? Yea...those days are looooong gone for us!

I have found some products that just make being out and about easier for us, and I thought today would be a perfect day to share them because if you're like me, you don't have all of your shopping done yet, and will have to brave the crowds!

Anyway, here are a few of the things we HAVE to have with us when shopping (especially if I'm taking them both out solo).

1. Moby Wrap

{image from Amazon}

I have a Moby Wrap in turquoise (which is no longer available), and I LOVE it. It's an essential for us, even when not grocery shopping. I had two different carriers with JC, and I honestly had a love hate relationship with them.  The Moby took a few tries to get it exactly right, but now I can do it with my eyes closed. It is well worth the investment. I had a ring sling with JC and I never felt like he was completely snug in it. With this, I can let go of her and know that she will be secure. It makes it so much easier to deal with JC when we are somewhere that he wants to walk. I can literally let go and grab hold of him before he darts out in traffic (just an example). I get tons of compliments, and Myra loves being worn.

2. B.O.B. Revolution SE

{image from Amazon}

This stroller is SO worth the investment! I had debated between the dualie and this one (only because JC sometimes likes to ride), but am so glad that I didn't. Truthfully, I don't take them both on long shopping trips, so he's usually good with walking for the trips when it's just the three of us. Other times, Patrick is with me and can push him in a second stroller if he needs to take a break from walking. Back to this: It is amazing. You can literally push it with one finger. It's billed as a jogging stroller, and I do take it jogging with me quite often. But, I also like to use it shopping because it is so easy to push. It is a little big, so sometimes you have to rethink squeezing around the racks of clothes. But, I think it just keeps me from spending as much money. Ha!

3. Kindle Fire

{image from Amazon}

I rarely go ANYWHERE with my Kindle Fire. JC uses it 99% of the time, which is funny since he bought it for me for my mother's day present last year. There are a few must-have apps that I downloaded for him. I'll try to do a post on them soon!

I also make sure that we have extra diapers and wipes, toys for Myra Mae that will clip onto the Moby, and 2 sippy cups for JC (one to have now, and one to help avoid the meltdown that will occur 20 minutes into the trip) as well as some snacks for him.

What are your must-haves for shopping?  Do you have any pointers on how to have a stress free shopping trip with 2 small kids in tow?

This link will take you to my Amazon Associates Store, which has several great products that our family loves.  Please note that I will receive a small (very small) commission if you purchase products from my site.

Flooring and a Future

We've been SO busy these last few weeks.  Every year, I make a promise to myself that I will be ready for Christmas. I won't be the crazy lady in line at 5:59 on Christmas Eve buying last minute gifts or wrapping paper.  I resolve to be organized and to finally have the house ready for entertaining; I will host a dinner for our extended family.  I'll have my lights perfect. Ornaments will be color-coordinated with my decor. Santa will arrive to homemade cookies and milk in an adorable glass bottle. Adorned by a ribbon tied paper straw.  My windows will be spotless, as will my counters and oven. Oh, and we will all be polite and those guests will arrive to find us the quintessential Norman Rockwell family posted inside a Thomas Kinkaid cottage.

Good thing I have low expectations.  Actually, it's a good thing that I have no problem adapting to the fact that my holidays are NEVER like I envision.  Am I alone, here? Do any of you find yourselves with lofty goals and unrealistic images of what your family Christmas will be?  Come on, anyone? 

No?  Well, then I'm alone.  

I am an island.

An island that resembles the aftermath from the Tasmanian Devil. 

This is my Christmas reality this year:

Because I refused to shoot my Christmas photos around the giant stains on our carpet (kids + carpet = DISASTER), Patrick agreed to an enormous project, which should have been saved for the spring.  

Last Sunday, we took the plunge. I'll give the whole story later, once it's completed and I have my camera with me to upload photos.  It's a good one involving a nail in my foot and a birthday spent in the doctor's office, so you're going to want to read it!

Anyway, last Sunday as in December 2nd.  Patrick took a week off from work, and we went to Lowe's to get our supplies. We ripped the flooring up in the kitchen, beginning a week and a half long project that still isn't completed.  

Which brings me to my original problem: my inability to orchestrate the picture perfect Christmas.  We obviously don't have our Christmas tree up yet.  I wanted to put it up on Black Friday, but knowing that we were going to try and tackle this project made me decide to postpone it.  A house just doesn't feel like Christmas without a Christmas tree. Not that it matters; we've been at my mom and dad's house since Friday night. I decided that it was difficult enough keeping the two kids corralled amidst the sawdust and hammering.  So, the three of us loaded up when it was time to begin staining.  

As nice as it has been to spend time with my parents, it has posed a rather difficult problem; I don't have any of my presents that are handmade (sewing/painting/Shilouetteing) completed, and I can't work on them. I could have brought the stuff with me, but between packing all of their stuff (holy crow, Myra requires a lot of STUFF!) and not knowing exactly where I had put anything in the mad dash to make all of our living room/dining room furniture fit in the bedrooms so that Patrick didn't have to do all of that solo, the thought never crossed my mind.  

The plan is that we return home Thursday.  However, I don't think that will be an option since he still doesn't have all of the staining done (some of the wood absorbed the first 3 coats). He's been working round the clock; Patrick returned to work this week and the past 2 days has been going in at 5:30, coming home and doing touch-ups, then going back to work to cover lunch/close.  When I talked to him earlier, he was at a standstill literally watching it dry so that he could put a coat of poly on it. 

30 Days of Thankfulness {Recap}

If we're friends on Facebook, you probably know that I have been doing the 30 Days of Thankfulness challenge.  I really thought it would be difficult, but I have SO MANY THINGS in my life for which to be thankful that it was the easiest thing I've done in a while. As I said earlier in the week, I could probably do the 365 Days of Thankfulness challenge, if there were such a thing.  Instead of putting my status on FB this morning, I thought I would post it on here. Mainly because it is so long that I didn't want to take up the entire news feed! But, I will be able to go back and look at this a lot easier than I will a random status. In five years, if when I am feeling down in the dumps, I can go back to November 30, 2012 (assuming the Mayans are wrong and we're still here then!). Anyway, here's my culmination of the challenge:

I had big plans for today, but I think I'm just going to keep it real. Day 30: I'm so thankful for the past 30 days, and the way that they have challenged me to realize ALL that I have.

My children are healthy and happy. They are creative and filled with awe and wonder.  They see the world in a way that, without them, I would never see myself because I get so caught up in what I think is important.  Since becoming a mother, I have thought about Mary so much.  I can't imagine how her heart must have ached for her son.  I know that many mothers have lost children. I know that there is much hurt.  But, I imagine that Mary's was stronger somehow.  There's great debate as to whether or not she knew during Christ's childhood if He would die. Even if she didn't, I think that her hurt had to be larger because her son was dying for ALL of us. If that makes any sense at all.  I am so grateful that God has given me these two babies to watch over. I once read something about God blessing us by letting us borrow our children.  It stayed with me; they aren't really ours. It is our job to raise them with a heart for Jesus. I know that I fail. Many days, I have a short temper and am too quick to scold. But through the ultimate redeemer, I have a second chance. And a third, and a fourth, and so on. Today is a new day, and for that I am grateful.

My marriage is strong. My husband is hard-working, honest, and kind. He is patient where I am not. He is loving. He is positive and hopeful; a true optimist where I tend to be a pessimist. He keeps me grounded. He comes home and plays with the kids for HOURS. He loves them unconditionally, and he makes sure that they both know it. He cooks more often than I do, and he helps me clean. He loves my parents. He encourages my creativity, and he motivates me to keep going. He teaches our children about Jesus. My life could have gone down so many different paths. I am so grateful for God's timing, and that His plan for my life included Patrick.

My friends are encouraging.  Like most of you, I have friends from all walks of life.  My childhood best friend is someone I don't see often enough. But, we talk regularly and have the ability to pick up as though no time has passed.  I have several close friends from college, and the same goes for them.  Though we don't see each other a lot, when we do get together it's as if we saw each other the previous week. I also have friends who are in the same stage of life as I am.  It is so good to compare war stores with someone who is at the same place. They help me realize I'm not alone, and for that I am grateful. I have friends who are in a different stage of life, with children who are older (some even out of the house). They help remind me of the things that are important; my house will be clean when it is empty. My babies are only babies for such a short time. I don't want to miss any of it. I have friends who don't have kids. They help me feel like someone other than a mommy; I can talk to them about ME. Sometimes, it's nice to be reminded that I was a person before kids.

I could write a book about how amazing my parents are.  They have sacrificed so much for me. They were the kind of parents I want to be. They were very present in my life, and I am so glad. I know that I can turn to them with anything and they will be a sounding board or advice giver, depending on what I need.  As amazing parents as they are, they are even better grandparents.  Not only do they love our kids unconditionally, they follow our rules without question or guilt.  Trust me, not everyone does this and it is so wonderful to know that when JC or Myra are there, they aren't exposed to any shows that aren't age appropriate (CSI for example). JC doesn't eat junk food all day. His safety is always the primary concern. If he does something we don't want him to do, all we have to do is tell them not to do it and they don't. They don't try to guilt us or make us feel bad, and they definitely don't scold him for telling us what he did. They apologize and assure us that it will never happen again. I am so grateful for this. I think it's because my grandparents didn't always play by the rules, so they understand how difficult (and unfair for the kids) it is when they put them in the middle.  That's why if we ever die, we know that both JC and Myra will be in perfect hands because they will be staying with my parents.  (Side note: do you have a will? If not, shame on you! Go get one! Check out Dave Ramsey's ELP's if you need help!)

There are so many other things I have for which to be thankful.  I'm always hungry, but I've never known hunger (Myra Mae is to blame for the constant hunger). I have had the most amazing time off with my two babies. While we could definitely use the extra income, I am glad that it has been part of God's plan for me to be home until now.  We have more clothes than we can ever wear, more food than we'll ever eat, and more love than we can ever give. We have a roof over our heads, and the ability to tweak it and make it our own.

I am so very blessed and grateful for all that He has given me. I have so many undeserved blessings, but the biggest one is my salvation. As we begin to celebrate the Advent, I hope that I can keep Jesus in my heart and mind. I purposefully completed the bulk of my Christmas shopping during October and November so that I could spend the month of December focusing on my family and my faith.  We'll be starting Truth in the Tinsel tomorrow. If you have small kids, I encourage you to participate in it. It does a great job of helping them understand what the season really means.  Elfie will be coming to our house tomorrow, complete with a letter from Santa. The letter will explain why we celebrate Christmas (similar to this one from Leana at A Small Snippet).  We'll be indulging in Crock Pot hot chocolate, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, lights, the Ice exhibit in Nashville, and our local parade.  Patrick is taking off for a week starting tomorrow afternoon, so we will have plenty of time to enjoy the Christmas season.  We'll also be redoing our floors, so stay tuned for a post on that (if I survive!).

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. I hope that even if you didn't participate in the 30 Day challenge you will spend a few minutes thinking about all of your blessings, and the one who blessed you.

The End of an Era

The Twilight Saga.

I'll admit, I jumped onto that bandwagon a little late. I didn't see the first movie in theaters. I hadn't read the books, and I have a huge problem with watching movies based on books before you read the book. Very rarely does the movie follow the book, so it just ruins the book if you watch the movie first. (I know, you could say the same thing about the book ruining the movie, but come on. The movie was adapted FROM the book, not the other way around!)

Anyway, Twilight accidentally got placed on my Netflix list. It arrived and sat unwatched for several weeks before I even considered watching it. And, when I finally sat down to see it, I was more than disappointed. It felt so forced and cheap. All I could think of was how in the first season in Dawson's Creek, Dawson was forced to sit in film class and listen as Cliff drone on and on and on about his movie like it he was Spielberg, yet his movie was awful. That's how Twilight felt to me. I didn't get it. At all. I ranked it up there with Gone with the Wind. 6 hours of my life that I, regretfully, would never get back.

Then, one day while in Target, I saw the book. I hadn't paid much attention to it before then, because I had a newborn and was a very un-hot mess. But, I would be able to read it while JC was nursing. (Side note: that's something they don't tell you to expect about having a newborn. If you're nursing, you'll spend a lot of time sitting.) So, I brought it home and sat it on the counter where it sat for several days.

Once I finally opened it, I couldn't put it down! It was SO good.  I finally understood what all the fuss was about, and I was completely in love with Edward and Bella's story. I finished it in a day and a half (see? Lots of time to sit around while nursing!). Immediately, I ordered the other 3 books in the saga and paid for overnight shipping.  I had the entire series completed within a week. I watched the movie again, convinced that it would be life changing. After all, how could it not be after reading the book?  It was better, marginally. But, it cemented my belief that the book is always better than the movie. (Seriously. Can you name one example where the movie is better than the book?)

I was invited to see New Moon at midnight, and I excitedly went. I ordered a t-shirt  with a cartoon of Alice saying, "Caio, Vultori!" Seeing it in the theater at midnight was a very interesting experience. Especially given that I wasn't what would be described as a twi-hard. There were middle aged women (some of whom I know) who were going on and on about Jacob and how hot they thought he was. Very inappropriate comments were made. There were little girls, brought with their mommas, undoubtedly skipping school the next day. The most humorous part wasn't any of that, though. It was the way the fans squealed once the screen went black. The screams the first time the cameras cut to Edward were louder than a UK basketball game. The screams the first time the cameras cut to Jacob were louder than a UK vs. Louisville game. Caaarrrrazy. I completely understand the Edward vs. Jacob argument. Book: Edward. Movie: Jacob.

I took my best guy friend, Shannon, to see Eclipse (my favorite book, by far), and Breaking Dawn Part 1. Eclipse was much better than New Moon. Breaking Dawn Part 1 was much better than Eclipse. Then, there was Part 2.

I debated seeing it at midnight. Patrick really wanted me to go. He told me over and over that I needed to go because I wanted to. But, Myra still wasn't (isn't) sleeping through the night, and he had to carry the big route the next day. (Patrick works for the USPS. He's normally a clerk, but he carries on Saturdays and some Fridays.) I didn't think it was fair to leave him at home all night with both kids, let him get up with Myra several times, then have to walk 13 miles while carrying the boxholders (those fliers that everyone gets from places like Rite Aid or Fred's that say "Current Resident") that had to go out. So, yesterday my friend, Elizabeth, and I went to see it during the day. There were only about 10 other people in the entire theater, including an old man who laughed at every part just as I'm sure the teenage girls laughed on opening night.

Anyway, Then, there was Part 2. I have so many thoughts about it! First, it is a GREAT movie. The quality of the movie compared to the first one (really, the first 3) is unbelievable! It's like they had the same budget for the first four movies as they did this one. The only thing I can compare it to is the difference between a made-for-TV-movie and a blockbuster. This was a blockbuster. Second, I loved the other movies because I loved the books. Had I never read the books, I would have never seen any of the movies from New Moon on, because Twilight was that bad.  However, I read the books and fell in love with the characters, so I loved the movies because of that.  This one though, I would love it even if I had not read the books. And finally, third, I think that the girl playing Renesme is so beautiful. She reminds me of the little girl who played Dillon McKay's sister, Erica.

{image from Inside Movies}

Obviously, they're not identical twins, but she reminded me of Noley Thornton. Anyway, I think this little girl is going to have quite a promising future! 

My favorite part of the movie was the unexpected scene (spoiler alert!). If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about. And, if you haven't, go watch it so you will! I'm not gong to spoil it. 

If you haven't seen this movie, you should really go watch it (as long as you've read the books. If you haven't read them, read them first!). 

Myra is crying and JC is begging, so I'm done for the day. Have a great weekend! 

Products I Love: November {Christmas Edition}

One of the things you can expect to find here at Creekstone Cove is a monthly product review post.  I am a firm believer in customer service and quality products. I will gladly spend more money on something that will last over something that is on sale.  I buy the best that I can afford in things that are going to be staples in my life or things that will make my life easier.  Please note that these products aren't things that are sponsored; they're just things that I love.  Unlike Oprah's Favorite Things, these are ALL products that I own or have used. Not just stuff that I see and like. (Does anyone else have a problem with the fact that most of her "favorite" things aren't even things that she owns or uses?) Each month, I will list a few items that I think would benefit you. You may have already discovered these treasures; if so, please share your thoughts on the product! If you have things that are your favorites that you think I would like, pass them along! I love discovering new ways to simplify and improve my life! I will occasionally include an item that I haven't used, but ONLY if it's on my "Wish List".  More times than not, this will serve as a visual reminder to Patrick. Hopefully he'll take the hint! 

Anyway, here are the favorite things for November! If you're not finished with your Christmas shopping, these would make AMAZING gifts. Each product listing will link to the page.

1. Sterling Dewdrops Necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs

{images: Lisa Leonard}

This is my "daily" necklace. Patrick bought me one for JC's first Christmas with his name one one side and his birthdate on the other. I have probably worn it all but ten days since I got it. Literally. Once Myra was born, I added another (on a shorter chain) with her name and birthdate, and I layer them. I have 9 pieces of jewelry from her collection, and they are all very high quality. I promise that this is worth the investment! My favorite thing to gift for new babies is the sterling spoon or an ornament. They are timeless gifts that will make anyone smile! Through today, you can receive 25% off any order with the code "cybermonday12" at checkout. 

2. The Resolution for Women

{image: Lifeway}  

If you are a mom, or have someone on your Christmas list who is a mom, this is the PERFECT gift! I was introduced to it by a friend from my hometown, and it has changed my life! I am a better wife, mom, and friend because of this book! The first chapter is all about being satisfied with the stage of life you are in right now. We spend so much time waiting for the next thing to happen, that we often miss God's blessings. I know I'm guilty of that! For only $10, this would make the perfect stocking stuffer! 

3. J.Crew Cece Suede Ballet Flats

{image: jcrew.com}

I have these flats in sapphire (shown), and they are my favorite shoes! I wear them all the time. They're so comfortable! I have a slightly wider foot (not wide enough that I have to have wide width, but some shoes are just too narrow for me), and these fit perfectly. We're HUGE UK fans here, but I'm not a t-shirt kind of girl. I just never feel put together when wearing a t-shirt. So, this is my way to show my love for our national championship team (Go Big Blue!). 

4. Truth in the Tinsel 

This is our first year doing this advent experience, and I am SO EXCITED!!! I've got my mason jars out and ready to store the daily supplies. It starts next Wednesday, and most of the items needed are things you will have around the house. Unlike most advent calendars, this one actually incorporates a mini Sunday-school type lesson with each day.  The children get a Bible story and then make an ornament that corresponds with the story. I'll be posting progress pictures soon! 

{image: Truth in the Tinsel}

5. Fab Flower Headbands

One of the first things I thought of when I found out that we were having a girl was the adorable flower headbands.  I've ordered many different styles from several places.  By far, these are the best quality I've purchased.  Turns out, Myra isn't a fan of headbands, flowers, ruffles, lace, or anything else girly. This makes her daddy's heart happy, but it leaves this mamma annoyed.  Of all of the ones I've purchased, these must be the most comfortable, because they're the only ones I can put on her without causing a level 3 meltdown. That's saying something! We have the Shabby Flower Headband set of 6, and a few of the individual flowers. I plan to buy more, and today looks like it will be the day to do it because the shop is having a sale! 15% off your purchase with code "NOVFIFTEEN". 

{image: Fab Flower Headbands}

These are some of the products I'm loving right now.  What are your favorite things? 

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome! I am so glad that you're here! My name is Janetta. I became a blogger long before it was the in thing to do. I used to be Serious Shopaholic. I'm now a recovering shopaholic. I use the term "recovering" lightly, especially this week (Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday have KILLED me!). Actually, I try to avoid the term like it's the plague. But, for my husband's sake, I will try my best. I began blogging as an assignment for a creative writing class. I have always loved to write, and it came completely naturally to me. I quickly found a niche in the blogging community, and I was blessed with a slew of devoted followers. I wrote about my love for Pottery Barn, Boden, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Anthropologie. I posted my wish list, gift ideas, and product reviews. Then, my husband and I got the most exciting news ever; we were going to be parents! I didn't notice a change in my blog at first; it wasn't until I had the baby and began looking back at posts that I had written about him that I realized my shopping blog was no longer. I had stopped posting about my beloved stores and started posting about the new love of my life, JC. I didn't mind it at all, but I felt that it wasn't fair to what few readers were still following. So, I made the blog private. I only posted about JC, and I didn't feel guilty at all. However, I missed the blogging community. I missed talking to bloggers from all walks of life. I had made friends I would have never had the opportunity to meet in real life; I'm a small-town Kentucky girl. The chances that I would meet and become friends with someone from California were pretty slim.

I've been struggling for quite some time now, trying to find a new blog name that fit my life. While I'm still a shopaholic (sorry, Patrick!), I'm so many more things. Since my last public post, I graduated college and got my first teaching job. Patrick's dad passed away, and we dispersed his cattle herd. My Pa passed away, and we had Myra Mae. With sorrow comes joy, they say. I have toyed with dozens of ideas for a name for this little blog, but not one of them seemed to fit for the long haul. I didn't want to pick a cutesy name that I would just outgrow (like Serious Shopaholic) in a few months or years. I wanted something that would represent EVERYTHING I plan to include in this blog.

So, with that in mind, I turned to a list. I wrote down every single subject I thought I would cover. Ever. Not just stuff that I knew I would cover (like the kids, our faith, and shopping), but stuff that I wanted to cover. Stuff that I hadn't written about before. Things like DIY, crafts, education, money, cattle. Yes, I said cattle. If you know me in real life, you know that Patrick and I met at a cattle event hosted on the farm his dad ran. I was in the 5th grade, and I told my grandmother I would marry him someday. We became friends through cattle. The majority of the guests at our wedding were cattle people. When we married, we began to dream about buying a farm. His family didn't own the farm they had; his dad was partners with a local doctor who owned the land. He ran it. Once I entered the picture, ten years ago (woah, that's forever ago!), his health had declined to the point that Patrick was managing things on a daily basis. Over the years, Patrick had acquired his own cattle, and we knew that once his father passed away, we would have to make a tough decision about our future in the registered cattle industry. Thankfully, my parents were gracious enough to take our twenty cattle to their farm. We began talking about our lives and how things worked out (thanks to the cattle) for us to meet, become friends, begin dating, and eventually get married and have two gorgeous babies. We knew that it was all because of our cattle backgrounds. We wanted to honor that heritage when we began our own farm. Thus, Creekstone Cove was born.

My childhood farm was called Snake Creek Farm. Patrick grew up on Touchstone. We merged the two and came up with Creekstone. Creekstone Cove has been an aspiration for us for the past 3 years. So, it was a lightbulb moment during the middle of the night a few months ago that I call this blog Creekstone Cove. After all, it was a goal for us. It was a plan for our futures. It is something we pray fervently about and long to call our own. On some scale, it is present in every single decision that we make. Once I had the idea, it made perfect sense. So, here you will find lots of random musings. You will see pictures of two adorable babies and read stories about their latest adventures. There will be plenty of DIY projects, as we continuously update our starter home in hopes of resale (kitchen, bathroom, flooring, laundry room, painting, decorating, landscaping, etc.). I will post about shopping, TV, and food. I will post about my love for Jesus. And, occasionally, I will post about Herefords.

I hope you stick around! I would love to become friends!