A couple weeks ago I was listening to a segment on The Today Show as we were completing our morning feeding that really stopped me in my tracks and made me think. The segment that many of you have probably heard of by now was that of The Wall Street Journal article, that spoke of being a target for extra jobs, duties and such because of simply being a SAHM. I can't say that I totally related to the article because my duties aren't always "favors" for others, it's expectations that I put on myself.
In the recent weeks I've really been fighting an internal battle...you see I'm not technically a SAHM, I do work about 16 hours a week still at the hospital at night since Abby was born. But it leaves me with a lot of free time or what you would think would be a lot but for weeks or probably closer to a month I'm left at the end of the day feeling that I didn't get what I needed done, Abby didn't get enough therapy at home, the list could go on and on. To the point, that it was really getting to me. So I did what any good type A personality would do... I got my "to-do list" in order and put it into action...
And it went a little like this...
Meal Planning~ I believe this has been the biggest most beneficial change, I make my list on Sunday for our meals for the week, this has saved me money, I'm not running into the store every couple of days and buying items that I already have at home. Saves time, I'm only at Publix once a week and the market once a week. And I've lost more weight planning and not eating on a whim. I know how long each meal will take to prepare, so I give myself plenty of time, even making some things ahead, so I'm not rushed...Can we all take a deep sigh of relief. I'm enjoying cooking again ( and my husband is loving it too).
Schedule~ Each night before I go to bed I put together a time line of how our next day will go, every day is different for us, with therapy, md appt.'s and special plans. The list has helped me to get the things done that need to get done and at the end of the day, I feel accomplished! I was driving 30 minutes away to go to the gym with some friends, instead of going to the gym 5 minutes from my house, that has changed I pick one class a week to met them. The other days I go near home, saving time in the car. Little changes have helped me feel free and I'm loving it!

I'm the type a person that hates to say "no" and I'm slowly learning quality over quantity, by spreading myself thin as left me feeling not so good but I'm hoping those days are behind me.

" Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever"~ Keri Russell

Down home

The car was piled high with toys, diapers, formula, a play yard, a bath chair, a high chair, her clothes, her shoes, her things and then there was two small bags for us, you know the mom and dad. The gas tank was full and we were on our way to Mississippi! This was going to be Abby's first of many trips to Mississippi and we couldn't be more excited! We knew we had a long road ahead of us but we would make the best of it, stop often, spend the night, do whatever it took.

As we crossed into the Great State of Mississippi, I had aspirations of stopping and getting Abby's picture at the state line but she was sound asleep and who was waking this baby for the last hour of our drive...not I! She was great, it wasn't bad at all. We had a week of visiting and showing off our lil pumpkin. Granny just ate her up and we just ate up Granny's food. Yum...I aspire to be as good as she is. And after a week I gained every bit of weight that I had taken off but it was so worth it, one of these days I'm going to miss that and I don't want any regrets... We spent a day in Germantown, Tenn., with family and had such a great lunch. It was so nice, my cousins have two girls also, so it was sweet to see all of them together. I just love this picture, I would like to think that Abby is going after Ella Kate's bow. This picture look forever to get and this was as good as it got.
One of my favorite memories of growing up of my summer's in Mississippi was going to church, after church having a big lunch and playing outside all day until Sunday night service, though the day my grandparent's friends, neighbors and family would stop by. I still love those days, after church, we had a great lunch and sat outside while the kids played and enjoyed a hot Mississippi summer day. After pumpkin's nap she joined us, notice my new Ole Miss tumbler in the background that Granny got me filled with sweet tea, I wasn't kidding, one of my favorite days! And she got lots of love from another cousin. Sweet Carlie.

And it wouldn't be a trip without our pumpkin and a water melon from Granny's garden and a picture of our little family.
Are flights are booked and we're going again in less than a month...


"Down home where they know you by name and treat you like family
Down home a man's good word and a handshake are all you need
Folks know if they're fallin on hard times they can fall back on
Those of us raised up down home"
Alabama

Sip and See

If Abby had anything to do with being born 3 months early, it must simply be that she didn't want to miss a party, especially this party in her honor.

After Abby was born, we decided to wait and have the shower in Tampa (where I went to middle/high school and where some of my VERY good friends live) after she came home and was doing well, we would make the trip.
So we finally did.
And it was great.
Being the guest of honor is always a special feeling but having Abby there after everything she had been though to celebrate with many of those that continued to pray for us, was amazing.
The party was hosted by a very dear friend.

This was the invitation sent out, it sets the theme...
(It was Abby's Sip and See, not Taylor's 3rd birthday)

The entrance
The food table, mexican my favorite,

The cake, it was so good, my two favorites, chessecake and red velvet. I didn't realize it at first but it's a beach towel.
And the beachball cookies
The favors, so cute and so sweet of her.
These are many of my very good friends, there were six babies born since Abby, it was so nice to see everyone and met their babies too!
And of course getting to met my girlfriend triplets, together these babies weighed 9 lbs at birth. Crazy huh?!? Together we have had each other to turn to though the NICU stays, development delays and everyday ups and downs, although I don't know how she does it with THREE!
Abby looks so long next to these little ones...

We had such a great time with everyone and it was so cute, I loved every bit of it!

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
- Sent by Donna Roberts

Apparently the Chinese really like me.

Yeah...so can someone explain all the Chinese comments that I receive!?! I must be like the pop star that struggles over here in the United States and becomes a huge star over seas. Well then I would like to send a "shout-out" to my peeps over Seas, thanks y'all!
I'm turning over a huge blog leaf, I'm back in the game, I miss it, I love it and I'm commited. I have a lot to say and to tell you about. I know it's been awhile, I can explain...it's been so long, so much as changed Abby got her license and has become another driver in the state of Florida that can barely see over the wheel.

She makes me laugh.
I just love her so much.

I now know where the saying " I could just squeeze you to death" comes from, I just can't get enough of her.

Stay tuned more to come very soon, like tomorrow!

The longest journey begins with a single step, not with a turn of the ignition key. ~Edward Abbey