Paint Job: GIANT project.

A couple of months ago I decided I wanted to fix up our "guest" bedroom.  We have those disgusting popcorn ceilings, as some may call them, and I want to destroy all of them in my home.  I started on this room because I wasn't planning on having anyone in that room for a while, hence, we never have "guests", so I thought.  The past few months Heath has been in town and his helper has been staying with us, so we do have a "guest".  Needless to say that room is empty,except the bed, and has no blinds because I was planning on painting the trim around the window.  I've scraped the ceiling, and I've started on the trim, but haven't got much farther than that.  I am going today to buy the paint for the room, and I will conquer this project soon!!  I hope. 

I've got a few pictures of the empty room, and not much has changed, but I will post pictures of the finished project. 

Home Sweet Home!

As some of you may know my older brother, Corey, has been in the Army, and is now back in Arkansas!!  His journey in the military began in Summer of 2007 when he ventured off to Fort Jackson where he began BOOTCAMP!  As scary as it may sound he made it, and with ease.  He had prepared some for it by running daily and exercising hard core!  Advanced training took place in October and November 2007 for Cannon Crewmember at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and then he was transferred to Fort Bliss in Texas where he was stationed until last week!  He also served a year for our country in Iraq from May 2009 through April 2010! I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't worried about him while he was away. I cried a few times, and reminded myself of all the good times we had together, if you can imagine a brother and sister getting along.  HAHA!!  If you can't tell already I'm very proud of my older and wiser brother!  He is one of the only people I have in my family that I can say has been there with me from the beginning.  I know what most of you are thinking, but that's another story for another day! We've been through thick and thin both with our family and with each other.  I've brought him through some tough times, he's been there for me, and I know we are always there for each other.  I love my brother very much and am very excited to have him home!!  Thank you Cor for being the BEST brother ever!! 

He looks so brave!!

HOT HOT HOT!!!

Hale and I ventured out today in attempt to enjoy the park, boy was I wrong.  It was about 3:30pm and I thought since Hale had behaved pretty well today that we would go to the park since he loves to be outside so much! Well, people it was so hot we were sweating just walking from the car.  It was shaded, but I think it was still 110 degrees.  After being in the aweful heat for just thirty minutes we headed out  to search down some ice cold water and a few sips of gatorade!  I think I sweated off at least 5 pounds if that's possible. 

Here are a few pictures of Hale enjoying it!  He didn't want to leave, but we had to get out of the heat!

 He is getting soooo BIG!!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup granulated white sugar
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup apple sauce (this makes the cookies more moist and little healthier, but you can use shortening, cream cheese, or butter for this ingredient- whatever you prefer)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large grade eggs
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour (I always add 1/4 of a cup more to make them fluffier)
• 1 cup (or more- you decide) raisins, or chocolate chips (which I use when making these for Heath)

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2.  Mix all ingredients except oats, flour and raisins.
3. Stir in oats, flour, and raisins.
4. Drop dough by round tablespoonfuls about two inches onto ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake 10 minutes.
6. Cool immediately on cooling racks, or some wax paper.  They both do the trick!
 
-The pictures on this are obviously not in order, but I gave up on trying to move them, or starting the whole blog over, and for some reason I couldn't type under each picture either.
 
-Enjoy these cookies.  I don't usually eat oatmeal/raisin cookies but I ate a few. 
 
- I gave this batch to Heath's grandparents. 

SLACKER!!

I get to be at home during the week with this adorable face.  Jealous, huh?

So, I've had every intention to post at least twice a week (this is where the title comes into play) since I've started this blog, but I've flooded my schedule with pool outings, trips to the park, and ice cream socials with my cute two and a half year old.  I've truly enjoyed being home with Hale more during the week, and I'm blessed to be able to.  We've had so much fun, and we've kind of reconnected, you can say. 

If you didn't know I was working full time until March rolled around.  Hale and I were away from the house and each other for 11-12 hours a day.  Then we would get home, eat dinner, take a bath, and lounge around for a few minutes to go to bed, day in and day out.  Plus, I was a full time student at the community college; I really don't know how I made time for that.  Needless to say I wasn't spending very much needed time with Hale.  Of course time with my husband was lacking too, but that's another story for another day!

God has blessed these past three, almost four months!  I went from working 40-45 hours a week to only working 24 and our bills are still being paid!  I didn't know how it would be possible looking at the numbers, but we stepped out on faith and God gets the glory!!  It was scary, but there aren't very many days anymore that I worry that we aren't going to be taken care of. 

Now I get to spend the week with Hale, Saturday afternoons, and worship on Sunday at church with him.   Heath says I've spoiled him even more, and he's become more ornery, but I think he's just in that stage, and he's extremely stubborn like both Heath and I.  It's been such a blessing to see him grow and discover new things!

Well, here's a little appetizer to keep you satisfied until the next.

I think I'm going to start to write a few COOKING and DIY blogs as well!  So, staty tuned!

POOL SIDE!

The HEAT has finally scorched the land of Arkansas, and it is officially, yet unofficially summer!  My mother-in-law finally took the top off the pool, and Hale and I were ready to jump in today, well, me anyway.  For some strange reason Hale is deathly afraid of going under the water with his head.  He takes baths fine, and seems to do ok when we get in the hot tub, but this year has been a doozy!  He panics even when I am holding him in the pool, and his head gets even remotely close to being near the water.  So, we are throwing him to the experts at the "Swim Ranch" in Fayetteville at the end of this month.  Who knows maybe he'll come back a water baby, and be swimming strokes!  Ha!

We had fun just laying by the pool!  I got a little bit of a tan, and enjoyed the sun with Hale!

 Hale and Mommy!

 What a big boy!

Hale decided he wanted to wear my sunglasses!  I think he could pull it off! Don't you think?

To be or not to be?

       Ever since I can remember I dreamed of becoming a Nurse.  I had always enjoyed all those gruesome medical shows that you see on tv, even at a young age.  I started on my adventure of college right after high school and moved back from Russellville after just one semester.  The college life that people talked so highly of wasn't my cup of tea; the "party" part anyway.  It probably didn't help that I went with my "high school sweetheart" (that I obviously am not married to), and it was a boring town; there was nothing to do.  So I moved back home, and decided to go to the community college.  I did pretty well,  so I went and picked up my application for the Nursing program at NWACC, filled it out, and dropped it off with all the necessary paperwork.  The waiting game would be the next step; at least for the next couple months anyway.  Quick end to the story, I didn't get in.  I was very discouraged to say the least.  I pretty much gave up.

So, now, after five years, I'm trying again.  I've retaken a few classes at NWACC to up my chances and I got all "A's", and I did pretty well on the TEAS test that they require.  Anyway, I applied to the summer and fall semesters to start in the program, but I didn't get into the summer session, and I am waiting until mid- June to find out about the Fall semester.  I've been praying about this situation for a long time and am at peace at trying something else if it's not God will for me to be a Nurse.  I want to be used by him in many ways.  Maybe it's in giving my time in other ways...  I desire to help people.

Here recently I finished reading the book "Crazy Love", and it really opened my eyes to true love for God and your neighbors.  All I need to do is convince my husband, or pray for a heart change, to sell what we have so that others can have food to eat, and a place to sleep. 

Matthew 25:42-43 says, "I was hungry and you gave me nothing to drink, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.  I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me"
      - I think this is how we should view everyone we come in contact with.  We need to be Jesus to the world.  What we do for others we do for Jesus! 

Pray that I be Jesus to the world wherever he places me!

Camera pictures locked, and USB lost...

So, I've taken a lot more pictures lately, and I went to load them to my computer, and luck would have it, I lost my USB cable.  Needless to say I was very annoyed.  I've gone back and forth when it comes to picture taking anyway; so I was rather proud of myself that I had taken quite a few.  I find myself not thinking about taking pictures because I don't have one of those fancy $1000 cameras, and it's not really that "fun".  I know I can capture moments, and that is what it really should be about, but my pictures could be AMAZING... or I could probably invest in a photoshop program, or something more simple.  I can dream, huh?  Maybe someday I'll have one.... some day. 

I consider myself very creative, and I'm looking into making my own large canvas of Hale out of one of these "great" pictures I recently took.  Not of my own painting, which I would love to do when I make time, but of a picture I've taken with my puny camera, printed on matte finished paper, and pasted to a canvas, and sealed with hodge podge.  I will do this in the near future, I can feel it.  I'll have to find just the right one...

Well... back to the subject.  Today I decided I was going to take some more pictures of Hale playing outside, and it was giving me an error message saying my memory card was locked.  I've had my camera for about three years, and I'm sure I have the manual for it, but I'm not sure where it is in the time frame that I wanted it.  This is where google came in real handy and I had the problem fixed in minutes.  I would have never guessed that a tiny sliding piece of plastic on the memory card would be the problem.  It's fixed. 

Oh, and I was cleaning and organizing some drawers today, and I found one of the three USB cables I somehow misplaced.  I knew they were around here somewhere.  I need to keep up with this one.  Hooray for these two things; now I can share some pics!!

Here are a few...

 Bathtime is ALWAYS  sooo fun!!

 My cute little lion.

 He is sad because he had to wear clothes! 

 Hale loves being outside!  He loves blowing bubbles, and golfing outside.

 His yummy 100% juice, strawberry Popsicle.

 I think he's outgrown this scooter, but he loves to ride on it and hear it "bonk"!

 Hale and Heath ready to leave for church.

 I'm not sure what this look it for.  He really loves his picture taken.

Hale and Mommy before church!  Love, love, love my baby boy!!

Inspirations!

 I like the subtle grey color of the walls with the monogram.

 I'm loving the grey and yellow designs.  This living room is what I envision for the future...

 Love, love, love this pillow! 

 Pillows are easy ways to spruce up a room, along with a little color on the walls!

 I like this office space!

This lamp is adorable and I love the idea colors of the picture frame collage.

Can't a girl dream??

Last week WAS a Crazy Week!

This week has had it's ups and downs, but I know, and have realized a long time ago that God has a plan and somethings don't turn out the way I envision them.  All sorts of emotions have surged through my body in this past week, some happy and some sad.

Sunday: Mother's Day hasn't always been the happiest time for me, especially in the past ten years. Sadness and tears fill my heart, because I don't currently have that bond that a mother and daughter usually share, and I can't help but envy those that do have that.  I just know God has called me to be his daughter, and be a loving and caring mother to my son, and future children as he's laid out in the Bible. 

Monday: I haven't been to a funeral in a long time, but witnessed one Monday of a very special, and dear friend of mine who endured the symtoms of Muscular Dystrophy.  His smile, optimism, and his love of the Lord will stick out in my mind forever, and I will cherish the time I was able to take care of him.  I know he is in God's presence and am at peace with that. 
My Anatomy and Physiology test went well on Monday, and I passed with a 96% on the final!  I was estatic about that because as you've read before I am waiting to hear about my entrance into the Nursing program at NWACC; I need all A's.

Tuesday: I don't know if it were the weather or not, but, Hale was ornery this day. I attempted to go to Walgreens with him with my coupons, and was looking forward to being successful at my first "extreme" coupon trip.  As soon as we walked in the door, Hale wanted this or wanted that.  I couldn't even concentrate to find the products, and see if it was really worth the journey.  I swated his behind, told him to stop, and gave it another go, but it just got worse. So, I loaded him back in the car, and headed home; I just wasn't in the mood to deal.  Frustration flowed through my veins, but I got over it pretty quick, and prayed about my attitude.

Wednesday:  This was just a busy day... that's all I have to say.

Thursday:  Hale and I hung out all day.  It was a GREAT day; the weather and all.  I almost thought we were making a movie.  We made pancakes, watched Curious George, read a few books, I watched Hale golf, we played outside, WE had a long three hour nap--- woke up refreshed, played with play-doh, did some laundry, and he helped me vacuum.  God has blessed me with more than I could imagine in my little munchkin.  He's a little testy sometimes,  but that is what makes him, Hale.  My sister-in-law graduated, and I am so proud of her for her accomplishment.  She has worked so hard!

Friday: My last "final" was in the morning.  I put final in quotes because all we did was bring some kind of yummy breakfast food, and turn in our final paper for my English class.  It was quite fun.  My instructor is an avid banjo play, which intrigues me, and he played that while we ate and conversed about how the course went.  It was kind of a yucky, rainy, and cold day, but I was glad the semester was over; I felt a sense of freedom.  I went "shopping" afterward to waste some time before I had to go to work.  I found a new polo for Heath for $11, and he liked it.  That's all I bought, because we are on such a tight budget.  Buying for others is more fun for me, anyway.

Saturday: Laziness definitely set in... although I did straighten up the house...


Look for a more consistent post this week!

Hale makes me laugh...

Our two year old, Hale (pronounced- Hey-yl), has quite the personality. I'm not really sure where he gets it, but I've been told by Heath's family that he used to be just like him, so I guess it's from him.  Hale has always been, since the day he was born, a very happy baby, and still remains that way, of course until he doesn't get his way.  But that is most kids, as I've read and heard from other moms and dads.  Hale is at the stage where he constantly wants someone to watch how awesome he is.  Mom, "Watch me jump". Dad, "Watch me golf" (which I know Heath's heart melts when he says that- as he's an avid golfer).  Hale's already very competitive, which I'm pretty sure he has double dose on that because Heath and I are very competitive.  I've learned over the past view months that if I tell him he doesn't know how to do something (jokingly), he wants to prove that he can.  The other day, I asked him if he could count to ten, and he said, "No", with a big grin on his face.  I know he can, so I said, "Oh, you're right, you can't, you don't know how to."  So, he quickly rebuttled, and spat out, "one, two, three, four, six, eight, nine, ten."  And he always claps after he says ten, I guess cause I do it.  I know he skipped a few numbers, and I do correct him sometimes, but he was so proud of himself that he could count to ten, and it makes me proud that he can.  He's a smart kid.  Hale would more likely choice to do something where he would learn something over pretty much anything, except "golfing like Dad", so he puts it.  He's one love of my life, and I can't believe he is getting so big, and learning so much!  He definitely catches on quick. 

One Sunday, a few weeks ago, we were getting ready for church and like most people Heath was looking in the mirror to check himself over that his clothes looked good, his hair wasn't sticking up, and that his teeth looked white.  Well, Hale, as I said before, caught on quick!  After I helped him get dressed with his jeans (like dad), his shirt (like dad), and his "golfing" shoes (like dad), he went over to the mirror by our sink in our room, which I'll remind you Hale barely can see the top of his head in, and stands in front of it fixes his shirt, pauses, smooths his hair, pauses, and then smiles as though he's checking his teeth.  I couldn't help but laugh out loud!  You would just have to see this adorable little boy mimic his daddy's actions.  Hale then looks over at me and says, "That's not punny (funny)!", which then makes me laugh even harder. He eventually started laughing with me, and we enjoyed a few chuckles together.  Children fill your heart with a very different kind of love, and mine is overflowing!  God has bless me with a healthy, smart, and "punny" child. 

Until next time...

New Kid on the Block!

Hi All-
So, I've been researching and reading many blogs lately, and have become intrigued!  I'm on board.  I like to get a good idea of what such a project entails before I just jump in.  So here I am.  Reading many blogs has almost become an obsession for me, especially reading my friend Carman's.  I'm not being a creeper or anything, it's just that I really enjoy reading her eloquent words, organized layout, shabby chic design, and detailed pictures that she has so beautifully displayed. 


My life is simple, yet hectic at the same time, if you can imagine.  I happily enjoy the company of my handsome husband that has decided to "do" life with me.  We have a rambunctious two and a half year old; that is all that needs to be said there, for now anyway. I am a Nurse's aide at a local Nursing home, part-time. I am a full-time student at a the Community College in our area, and praise the Lord the semester is coming to a close.  I am anxiously waiting to hear if I was excepted into the Nursing program there, and prayers are accepted.  God has a plan and he works out all things in His timing.  

Cleaning house, taking care of my son and husband, going here and there, and attending my church home is what my life basically consists of, and I know that sounds exciting!  We enjoy being outside, doing yard work when we can, playing outside as a family, and spending time with our extended family.  I personally enjoy reading, scrapbooking when I have time, and a few new hobbies that I would like more time to do: blogging, crafting, and dreaming up projects that we can gradually accomplish.  I have a lot of dreams! 

I guess that is all for now, and this is a start to a hobby that I know I will enjoy and update often... Stay tuned...