I have always been a casual coffee drinker.

Never anything serious.

I could take it or leave it really.

Even through college, only getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night regularly, I still didn’t care all that much about it. It seemed like a lot work to me. The addiction part of it, ya know? Like, what if I got stranded on a desert island and didn’t have coffee? I would be OK, but what do addicts do about the island scenario? These are really serious matters people!

(This is how my crazy brain works).

Enter: Skinny Peppermint Mocha’s from Starbucks.

Turns out that I just didn’t care about crappy office coffee.

I really care a lot about expensive sugary drinks from Starbucks.

But sadly, at $4 a pop, Starbucks isn’t exactly in the budget. And let’s face it, driving through Starbucks every day takes a lot of time.

Then, along comes Coffeemate and it’s delicious peppermint mocha creamer. Ah, it is so dreamy.

So, I began making an effort to make coffee most mornings. But honestly, with all the morning chaos around here, coffee simply wasn’t at the top of my list.

Then something miraculous began happening.

My amazing husband began making my coffee and unloading the dishwasher every.single.morning.

Talk about a game changer.

Not only did he lessen my workload in the mornings, but he gave me the precious gift of coffee.

Forget Starbucks, Maxwell House is fine by me.

So now, I have my 2 cups a day. Everyday.

Granted my teeth are a little worse for wear, but hey, the caffeine is worth it.

Anyone else addicted to the glorious taste of coffee in the morning? What’s your favorite?

And as for the island problem, I guess I’ll have to just figure it out when I get there. Ha!

See this phone? Ya know, the one you had back in 2002 when it was new and cool?  Well, that’s my phone now. I’m old school. It’s simple, straightforward and uncomplicated. Sure it takes me 34 minutes to send a text, but who’s counting?

Unfortunately, my old friend is dying a slow and painful death and we’re up for new contracts.

Zach’s poor old phone can only hold a charge for 15 minutes without dying. It’s bad times up in here.

I’m not gonna lie, things like “iPhone” and “Droid” have been spoken in this house by a certain husband (who shall not be named).

But to me it’s more like, “More money, blah, blah, blah, no coupons, blah, blah, blah, impossible to justify, blah, blah, blah. We should just get jitterbug phones.”

I think we’ve established that I’m, um, how you say? Frugal. And let’s face it, fancy cell phones aren’t cheap.

We do not have a home phone, nor do we really need one, so we must have cell phones.

So now I need all your powers of the world wide web to convince me why we should/shouldn’t get fancy phones. Right now we’re paying around $110 per month for both of us (and our ancient phones) on Verizon, that should be helpful to you as your convince me one way or the other.

Things I need to know:

1. Whose the best carrier?

2. Should we get a fancy phone?

3. Why/Why not?

4. Who in the world is Suri?

So whaddya think? Help a sista out!

In the wee hours of the morning as I was rocking and nursing my sweet Brother Bear, his nightlight cast a glimmer on my beloved wedding ring. Oh how I love this ring…and oh how I love the man who gave it to me.

As I watched it glisten I recalled this story and I had to hold back my thunderous laughter as to not wake up my baby boy. Because friends, this real life story still makes me laugh.

Let’s revisit this old goody together…{originally written in February ’10}.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

My Bitzy is a mere 3 months old so the real truths of my horrible pregnancy haven’t vanished into sweet romantic memories.

Last night, around 3:00am, Zach let out a loud yell. Not so much a scream, but more of holler as they say.

It woke me up obviously. I’m not accustomed to my darling Zach yelling in the middle the night (a certain baby boy on the monitor I’m very familiar with however- ahem).

So I roll over and shook him awake.

Me: “Are you okay? You just yelled.”

Zach: “Oh, that was just my battle cry.”

Me: “Your battle cry?”

Zach: “Yes, I’m a warrior.”

And at that he drifted back into a deep sleep.

Can I just say that I love my husband?

I love that he dreams about being a warrior. I love that he has a battle cry. I love that he is a man.

A real man.

I love that he can fix most anything and that he isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

I love that he is willing to fight for our family.

I love that I can ask him to draw a flower, grow a flower or buy me flowers and that he can and will do all three.

I love that he makes me proud to be his wife.

I love that he is stronger than an ox.

I love that he is a man of courage, honor and integrity.

I love that he loves me and can show me that love without hesitation or embarrassment. He’s so very good at loving me well.

I love that he loves our babies so much. He is truly the best daddy in the whole wide world.

I love that he learns more about how to be man and a warrior through God’s Word every day.

I love that not only dreams about being a warrior, but that he is one.

My warrior.

My hero.

Hands off girls, he’s all mine.

Growing up I always had bright blonde hair. It wasn’t platinum by any stretch, but it was a pretty shade of blonde. The older I got, the darker it got. It went from bright blonde to more of a honey blonde and then to a carmel blonde and finally to a dirty, dirty blonde.

After two babies and breastfeeding hormones pumping away (ha, get it? I crack myself up), now it’s dark blonde. Apparently my hormones don’t like pretty blonde hair. They like mousey blonde/brown hair.

I’m told that this is normal, is it? Is this yet another way that I’m a total weirdo?  Has this happened to anyone else?

Before Brother was born and I worked part-time I would visit my trusty and talented hairdresser for all of my coloring needs. But now, our budget simply doesn’t allow it. Zach has begged me to go, to bite the bullet and pay the money, but I just can’t. Once you become insane about {not} spending money, dropping $100 on hair just doesn’t make sense to me like it once did.

At first, I was in total deniel that I even needed color. I figured that I would “get used” to having darker hair. In fact, I went nearly 6 months without any coloring help at all.

It was a sad, sad time.

Then, it occured to me that maybe, just maybe I could do it myself. All I had to do was follow the instructions on the box, right? I mean, how hard could it be? So, I bought a highlighting kit. When I got it home and read the directions I saw the cute little cap. It was then and there that it became clear that in no universe could I hightlight my own hair. Patience is NOT my bag, it’s just not. And, let’s face it, my darling husband isn’t exactly hairdresser material.

So I gave up for a few days and declared that having pretty hair was a thing of the past.

But then, I thought of my friend Candyce. Candyce is one of those people that knows something about everything. So, I emailed her and gave her the scoop.

To my delight, she knew exactly what to do! She gave me detailed instructions on what to get for an all over color. Forget the highlighting kit! Putting a bunch of chemicals all over my head like shampoo is much more my speed.

Like a good little student I followed her instructions to the letter. After my babies were in bed I went to get this sacred box of beauty. When I got home I did exactly what the kit said to do.

And, wait for it…

It wasn’t terrible.

It wasn’t great, but definitely not terrible.

I tried to convince myself that it was totally awesome to have semi strawberry blonde roots while the rest of my hair was kind of a mix between brown and blonde splotches. Ever positive, I figured that it could be worse.

After a week or so, I went back to the store and got another kind. A lighter shade this time. At first I was timid to go too blonde because I felt like my hair was practically black.

Dramatic much?

And then, WAMMMOOOOO! It was great. In fact, it was kind of awesome.

So awesome that I’ve been using a box to color my hair for months now. The last time I got a haircut the hairdresser actually commented on how great my color looked. Imagine her surprise when I told her that it was from a box! Ha!

But like every little story there is sometimes controversy.

Cue: Last Night.

On my weekly trip to The Wal-mart, I casually looked for some color. I’m not true to a brand or even a certain color, I like to keep my options open in the world of hair coloring.

I had a price match and coupon for Loreal Healthy Look so I grabbed a box. When I got it I realized that it was on clearance for $5.00. Double score.

*Note to self: When buying hair color, never, ever, never, ever, never, ever buy it if it’s on clearance. Got it?

When I got home I innocently put on my chemical shampoo (that’s my pet name for my hair color. Isn’t it fitting?), waited my 10 minutes and washed it out.

As I got out of the shower I noticed that it looked a little dark, but no worries, I figured that when it dried it would be lighter and brighter.

Um, no.

It was brown.

That’s right.

Today, I was a brunette.

I would like to think that I looked like my bestie Sandy, but I fear that I did not.

For one thing, there are no tropicial flowers up in here and secondly, the sun hasn’t shined in months it seems. Well, and the obvious, that Sandy is a supermodel, and I am sadly, not.

Honestly today I really didn’t even think about it much. Something about chasing babies really takes my vanity away, in fact, I barely noticed it. But when Bitzy and Brother went to sleep I remembered.

Oh, did I remember.

I said to Zach, “So did you notice that I’m a brunette now?”

Zach: “Um, yes. It looks, um, great.”

Me: “Oh, come on! It looks nasty. Just admit it.”

Zach: “It’s not brown, it’s just darker. You’re so dramatic.”

Me: “I’m so not dramatic! Ah! It may not be brown, but it’s BY FAR the darkest it’s ever been.”

Zach: “I’ll give you that. But you look beautiful no matter what.”

Me: “Now that’s convincing. I’m going to The Wal-mart, be back soon.”

This time around I didn’t even take a coupon. It’s true, I admit it. Granted I still had a price-match, but I was on a mission to lose the brown, I could not be bothered with a coupon.

I found the most expensive box they had. It was $7.97, which in the world of hair coloring is a lot. And it was gold. It looked very fancy. It was the one.

It does say it’s “Superior” and “Luminous” after all. Granted, I have absolutely no idea what luminous means, but it sounds delightful.

Then, I did the whole routine and WALLLLLAHHHHHAAAAA, I’m blonde again.

Hallelujah!

I’m not cut out to be a brunette friends.

Long live the boxed blondes!

Have you ever had any hair dye disasters? Care to share?

Bitzy is a baker!!!!

Every single day I wonder why in the world God has blessed me so incredibly. I am selfish and prideful and rude and arrogant and many more horrible sinful flaws. I do not deserve these little angels.

They are so perfect, so innocent.

They rely on Zach and I for everything. In a way it’s incredibly comforting to know that I am able and willing to provide for their daily needs, but also their need for love, comfort and encouragement.  But in another sense it scares me to death. I am not qualified for this position! I didn’t take a test or study for this job. Somedays I feel so unprepared.

Brother all snuggled at the park!

This week as Zach has been on “staycation,” my job as a stay at home mommy has been exponentially easier. Right now we’re playing a man-to-man defense which is WAY easier than my usual zone defense Monday-Friday.

To tell you the truth I’m so nervous for Monday! Including the weekends he’s been off for 9 whole days!!!! Even though we didn’t go on a fancy vacation, it has been amazing.  We went to the park (even in the freezing cold), the zoo, the science center, and even had a few PJ days (my personal favorite).

An added bonus was that Brother decided this week that he hated taking naps. So, unfortunately we had a few days that he screamed his ever lovin’ brains out for an hour. If I were here without Zach I cannot promise that I would have let him cry…but with Zach I was strong, and yesterday our sweet baby boy slept for 3 hours straight for nap!!! Amazing.

So tomorrow to further increase my nervous nerves we’re heading back on the Weight Watcher train. It’s been a full month of debauchery, but it’s time to get back on the system. And, in case that wasn’t enough we’re going hard core on the Dave Ramsey Financial Freedom plan.

I’ll be writing more this week about all of these fun things:).

Hopefully I’ll still be in my right mind to write!!! Ha!

Have a happy Sunday!

These, my friends, are my most favorite jeans in the land. Gap Long and Lean jeans. While I may be long, lean isn’t exactly a word I would use to describe myself. But alas, if Gap wants to call me lean, then they have my permission.

It’s possible that I *may* be a jeans hoarder. I admit it. I have fancy jeans and jeans that I bought on clearance for $3. I love them all in their own way. But these jeans? They are perfection. Especially after 2 or 3 wears, they are like buttah.

Although I have 4 different pairs of these jeans in different sizes and washes, these are my most favorite. They fit the best, I feel good (and skinny!) in them, and they are very comfortable.

Which is why, I may or may not have practically burst into tears when I discovered an innocent fray in the left knee of said jeans.

NONONONONONONONONONONONONO! Take any other pair of jeans! Please! Just not these! They are my forever favorites!

But alas, the fray has continued until a hole is coming any day now.

When I showed Zach he tells me that holey jeans are “cool and hip.” “Maybe you should try still wearing them”, he says.

Clearly, he doesn’t know me. This is evidence.

I may be many things- but hip, I am not.

I am not cool enough to wear holey jeans. I’m just not.

As if that isn’t bad enough, this morning I put on my favorite, favorite, favorite yoga pants (not that I’ve actually done yoga in 2 years mind you), and there is a hole in them too!!!!!

Oh the cruelty!!!!

So here I am left to wallow in my holey clothes.

Holes hurt my feelings.

Do you have any favorite clothes that are unwearable now? Do you share in my agony?

I’m gonna go ahead and warn you, I’m full of all sorts of post-partum lovey dovey hormones, so if you aren’t in the mood for a lovefest then I suggest that you stop reading here…

Because friends, I gotta tell you, I’m in love, I mean IN LOVE, with my “station” in life at this very moment.

There is truly not a day that goes by that Zach and I don’t talk about how blessed we are to live this life. How absolutely incredible our Bitzy is. How miraculous it is to have a new tiny human, Brother, that has entered our family and has integrated so easily. How beautiful it is to watch our babies grow each day, learning and experiencing new things.

This life, it’s a miracle.

A beautifully blessed miracle.

Today while Brother was taking one of his epic 3 hour naps (amazing I tell you), Bitzy and I were playing in her room after she woke up from her nap (yes, they were both sleeping at the same time, thank you Jesus). Before I put her down for her nap we read the Golden Book version of Alice in Wonderland. After her nap she wanted to read “ABBIT, ALICE, AGHEEN,” translation: Rabbit, Alice, Again. So we read it again and then she hopped off my lap and started looking under the ottoman and saying “ABBIT, HOLE, TEA, COOKIE, HAT, ALICE!” At first I couldn’t figure out what in the world she was doing, then when I got in the floor to look  under the ottoman to see what the world she was babbling about, it dawned on me. She was playing pretend that Alice and the White Rabbit had a hole under the ottoman in her room where they went to the tea party with the Madhatter.

SERIOUSLY? My 19 month old is in an imaginary world and is allowing me to be a part of it. Have I ever had more fun in my entire life you ask? Nope. Never. We played Alice in Wonderland in her room for a solid hour, just me and my girl. How in the world am I so lucky to live this life?

And my baby? My tiny little precious baby boy is 4 (whole) weeks old. He’s always hungry and growing like crazy, and he’s healthy. Amazingly, beautiful, miraculously healthy. This fact is not lost on me. I think of all the sweet people that spend their days in the NICU with their littles and how incredible it is that I had a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. It honestly brings tears to my eyes that he is so beautifully healthy.

I’m not gonna lie, the past 4 weeks of having a newborn with a young toddler hasn’t all been easy and sunshiny. There have been moments where both the babies were screaming, I’m carrying them both up the stairs while the phone is ringing and someone is at the door and I am about to hyperventilate from the stress of it, but for the most part, it’s been a beautiful transition. We are continuing to grow and figure out what works and what doesn’t, but all in all, we’re enjoying one big lovefest up in here.

(This would also be a good time to give a shout out to my amazing husband, my partner and my love: without you, this family wouldn’t work at all. You are the cheese to all of our macaroni.)

I’m still not sure why and how I get to live this life, but boy am I thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

I have heard many photographers say that they experience life through a camera lens. It’s a cool thought I suppose, but clearly, I am no photographer… (even though the camera is attached to me at all times). Ya see, I am obsessed with soaking in every single moment of this beautiful life. I not only want to experience it, but capture it…to freeze it in time.

As I look at these pictures my cup truly runs over. What  an amazing life God has blessed me with.  It fills me with an urgency to encourage your hearts to truly LIVE today. To soak it up, to breathe in the people around you and to ENJOY life.

I admit, life isn’t fair. Sometimes it seems there is much more bad news than good, and it feels like there aren’t too many beautiful moments to savor…but oh there are. Ya just gotta look…

Do you even remember being so filled with joy? Being completely free to run, dance and to be free? If not, Bitzy will teach you.

When was the last time that you played so hard that you had to change clothes 3 times in one day?  And finally you just said “forget it” and accepted the dirt on your pants as a badge…can’t remember? Bitzy’s got some experience.

Do you recall ever being completely and utterly infatuated with mud? I mean, it is kinda cool if you think about it. It’s all slippery and slimy! No? Spend a mud filled afternoon with Bitzy and she’ll reacquaint you.

Have you held someone in your arms so tight lately that through your laughter and smiles you simply breathe them in and beg God to freeze that moment in time, because you know that in the blink of an eye the moment will be gone, never to come again.  No? Do it. You will never regret savoring precious moments. If you need help, I’m your girl. My soul bursts will treasures that are buried deep in my heart.

There are moments to be celebrated sweet friends, even in the midst of heartache.

Find them, and celebrate.

Remember all the talk about me moving…ahem, or perhaps all the whining.

It’s true. I hate moving with a hate that will never die.

But now, we’re all moved in and the drama has ceased. I guess you could say that we’re finally settled.

We painted every room in the house (except the Master Bath) and did tons of cosmetic/decorating work. Fortunately, there wasn’t a ton of mechanical issues with the house so we got to skip all of that!

We also have an unfinished basement that is already plumbed and framed and we’re hoping to finish it this winter…but that’s a whole ‘nother Oprah.

Anyhow, we feel so incredibly blessed to live in this house and still are in awe that God has blessed us so lavishly.

(I don’t know why we continue to be surprised by God’s extravagant blessings…He is our Father and Provider after all).

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

We had our old house on the market off and on for nearly 2 years and it simply wasn’t the right time. So many nights Zach and I would lie in bed in utter confusion that God wouldn’t let us move.  We felt that we were “doing all the right” things, but still, God continued to say “NO!” Don’t get me wrong, we had a great townhouse that was sufficient and certainly provided a roof over our heads…but we really wanted a house with a yard.

Now, in hindsight we see that God had gone before and prepared the way to give His best…and He has.  We are so, so, so blessed.

Anyway, many of you have asked for pictures…so here they are!!!!

Welcome to our home!

Master Bedroom! This room is at least twice as big as our old bedroom. We LOVE IT.

Master Bath. Isn’t it amazing? It’s heavenly.

Our Kitchen. At our old house we literally had 5 cabinets. It was a wreck. Look at all this space! It’s dreamy!

Downstairs Half Bath.  This bath is right beside the living room and kitchen. Very convenient for this preggers lady.

Great Room. We love this room! We have tons of seating for friends and family…but mostly I love the color!

Guest Room. This room is dedicated to my home people in NC. It reminds me of home.

Upstairs Bathroom. In our old house we only had 1 full bath so having guests made life a bit crowded. It’s so wonderful to have 2!!!!

Sweet New Baby Boys Nursery! It’s finally finished! Yay!!!

My sweet Bitzy’s room! We kept her room almost identical to our other house so that she didn’t get freaked out/confused. Lord knows that we don’t need any more sleep issues!!!

Bitzy’s Closet/Playroom. Can you believe this closet? What a dream!!! She’ll really love it when she’s 16!

And now my favorite room in the house!!! Our dining room! This room has been a labor of love!!!

I am not a dancer.

I know, I know, you’re shocked.

The good Lord has graciously given me many gifts, however, coordination/grace were not on the docket of blessings for me.

However, my beautiful girl can break it down.

Isn’t she the cutest thing EVER?!

She slays me…watch.

I mean, seriously?

How did I ever get so lucky?

Me to Zach: “I really need to write a blog, but I’m just so tired. I can’t do it.”

Zach: “You should write a blog about how you’re too tired to write a blog.”

So there you have it. Here I am, whining about how tired I am. Original isn’t?

It’s true folks, I’m a pooped puppy.

I know that the whole wide world is tired and there are starving children, so really, what do I have to complain about?

I like to consider it whining more than complaining though. There is a difference ya know.

Me and my dear friend Julie. We’re due only a week apart! Crazy isn’t?

So anyway…I’m now 34 weeks preggers and feeling every bit of it. Up until this point I have honestly felt great, like surprisingly great. I have had the energy to chase after my Bitzy, clean house during nap times, work 2 days a week, cook every night and not be a total zombie in the evenings. I have been shocked at my energy levels…but friends, times they are a’changing.

Almost overnight I have been slapped silly with exhaustion.

Not to mention that I’m bigger than Mount Olympus. It’s true, I’m a large lady.

At my 32 week ultrasound they estimated that our new little Buddy was already 5 pounds. That’s scary folks.

Bitzy was 8 pounds, 9 ounces and 21 inches long at birth and she was 10 days late…it’s looking like little buddy may blow that outta the water.

I know that some of you probably had 10 pounders, (God bless you every one)…but I’m telling you, pushing an 8.5 pounder out of my body for 3 hours wasn’t my favorite experience ever.

All that to say, in addition to the Banana Pudding Milkshakes that I’m wearing on both of my thighs I have a huge baby that is encompassing my belly.

So excuse me for being a blogging slacker…right now my main priority is taking care of my little family without totally passing out.

Love to all,

“Met a guy today. He was so cute. He smelled of cigarettes and sweat and for some reason, I kinda liked it,” I said to my friend Jenny as I left the first day of my Photography 101 class in college.

This is not a common combination that would make most women swoon, but for me, it was an aphrodisiac with this mystery man.

There was just something about him…something unique.

His jet black, unruly curls, along with his fuzzy five o’clock shadow, coupled with his loose fitting plain red t-shirt and khaki shorts were quite the opposite than what you would find in the covers of a JCrew magazine.

He wasn’t my type. Nope, not at all.

But again, the reaction I had to him at that first meeting was a chemical reaction. I was immediately smitten with him.

This kind of reaction doesn’t come along every day I soon learned.

After a brief dating relationship we bid goodbye at graduation and didn’t see him again for a few years.

But when we reunited, we never let go again.

While his old cologne of cigarettes and sweat is gone, the way he makes my knees weak remains. The way he handles my fragile heart with such care and makes me squeal with laughter on a daily basis, the way that he whispers bedtime prayers into the ears of our Bitzy, and the way that he looks at me as if I were the only girl in the world, are just a few of the reasons that I am proud to call him mine.

I love you with my whole heart Zach. I promise to love you forever and ever. Happy Anniversary my love!

May you all experience love today…

PS: Like my little stories? I would really appreciate it if you’d vote for me here and here.

1. The other day I ate 12 miniature peppermint patties in 1 minute. That’s right. There was no timer or contest, it was just me eating them ravenously. I don’t regret it. In fact, I’m kind of impressed with myself.

2. Also? I love Samoas guts. Like, really love ‘em. There is no limit to how many I could eat. While I have no record (yet), I love them with my whole heart. Thank you Girl Scouts, thank you.

3. Oh, and I love this too. That’s right. It’s my new bath tub! Every time I look at it, “Hello Lover” pops out of my mouth. Historically I’m not really into taking baths, I’m much more of a shower kind of girl…but with this beauty, times, they are a’changin’.

4. Also, I’m bigger than a barn. It’s true. I stood beside a barn today and practically swallowed it. It’s a real situation. My doctor assures me that I’m measuring “right on”…but I know he’s lying. If I’m having twins and he’s not telling me I’m gonna be real upset.

5. Speaking of twins, praise the Lord that no one has asked me (yet) if I’m growing two tiny humans in my womb. I think I may just burst into tears if they did. But we should get the tissues ready, because it’s inevitable. Some idiot will ask me and I’ll have to blush and say, “no, just the one” and then I will verbally abuse them in my head for the next 50 years of my life.

6. The other day I had a thought about what I was really good at. Ya know, like really good at…and NO LIE, three things popped into my head. 1.) Being a wife. 2.) Being a mommy and 3.) Being the best dang chubby bunny competitor on the planet. The fact that I am positive that I could beat anyone, anywhere, in a chubby bunny competition is a bit disturbing to even me. Do I need counseling?

7. I love my new house. LOVE IT.

8. Do all mamas think that their child is the cutest kid in the whole wide world? If not, I’m in trouble…my Bitzy just keeps getting cuter every day (even if she hates having her picture taken!).

9. I’m 31 weeks pregnant in case you’re counting. Not that I am or anything.

10. And finally, in an effort to covet things that I cannot afford I want to share this beautiful patio table with you, click here. Also, I want these chairs too (while we’re daydreaming of course).  I dare say that even if I were a bazillionaire I would feel weird about spending $900 on an outdoor table and $399 PER CHAIR, that my puppies could/would destroy. So since I’m NOT a bazillionaire I think I’m going with this patio furniture instead. Good and inexpensive, just the way I like it.

Love to all! Have a happy day!~

PS: Like my little stories? I would really appreciate it if you’d vote for me here and here.

Hello my long lost friends!!! Life has been, well, busy. And unfortunately my little stories have suffered! But, life is never too busy to celebrate my favorite past time…LOVE.

You see, I’m not a big fan of Valentines Day, never have been. It just seems so…staged. So fake.

I mean, stuffed bears, chocolates and balloons are great and all, but like every holiday, I wonder why we only celebrate love one day a year.

For Zach and me, we’re certainly not extremely romantic people. Sure, we have plenty of romantic tales that shall never be told (especially on the interwebs), but for the most part we simply enjoy each other’s company.

For example, I though that we were going to forego celebrating V-Day all together this year, which honestly was totally fine by me. I did draw him a picture (which looked like a 6 year old drew it), wrote him a letter and bought him a pound of Sumatra coffee from Starbucks, but that was all. I was looking forward to a night at home.

So, as I walked in the door with my Bitzy I see my sweet husband baking a cake (first time ever), roses on the table and lots and lots of sprinkles! Zach knows me well enough to know that I would much rather buy a new lamp than to go out and eat a $100 steak, so he ordered pizza and we established a brand new family tradition!!! From now on, Zach will bake a cake and we’ll all decorate it as a family.

This was only Bitzy’s third time to ever eat sugar, so she was very interested! However, unlike her sugaraholic mama she was much more interested in rubbing the icing all over her and then wiping it on me. It was wonderful to say the least!

But ya know what? More than pizza and cake and roses, I experienced true love on Valentines Day. Love for my thoughtful husband and my beautiful baby girl and my tiny little baby boy that is growing inside me. But more than all of that, as I read from Song of Solomon I had tears streaming down my cheeks that God has so lavishly blessed my life with an overflow of LOVE. HIS love.

And that friends, is much better than a teddy bear.

Here is a little walk down memory lane as I celebrate the love of my life…my Zach.

“Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give
all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.”

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

We have well established that I love food.

Particularly food of the sugary sort to be sure, but I am, forever and always, a food lover.

Sure, I’m frequently a weirdo about various food items, but overall, I love food and food loves me (and my ever expanding 6 months pregnant hips).

However, I am a bit of a weirdo about red meat. I L-O-V-E steak, but hamburger meat totally weirds me out. Remember the spaghetti little story? Read about it here.

I simply cannot bear it when red meat is in tacos. Homemade, store bought, fast food, you name it, it grosses me out to no end. It’s just so….wet. And greasy. And mysterious.

Just Saturday during our moving shenanigans (yes, you will get pictures, just let me find that pesky camera cord), Zach was eating a taco from Taco Bell. He asked if I wanted a bite and THANK THE LORD I checked to make sure it was chicken. When I realized it was mystery beef, I strongly declined.

Then, today I read this article…

Hold the phone Batman. I just threw up in my freaking mouth.

Here are the ingredients in Taco Bell’s “Meat”:

Water, isolated oat product, salt, chili pepper, onion powder, tomato powder, oats (wheat), soy lecithin, sugar, spices, maltodextrin (a polysaccharide that is absorbed as glucose), soybean oil (anti-dusting agent), garlic powder, autolyzed yeast extract, citric acid, caramel color, cocoa powder, silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent), natural flavors, yeast, modified corn starch, natural smoke flavor, salt, sodium phosphate, less than 2% of beef broth, potassium phosphate, and potassium lactate.

Ummm…I am no health nut. In fact, I’m pretty sure that my body is made of 45% chocolate.  But I’ll take it any day over “isolated oat product“.

What in the heck is that anyway?

Needless to say, I’m holding steady to my refusal to eat ground beef of any variety.

I mean, it that not disguisting????

Hello friends!

I have lots to share with you about the woes and joys of moving, but as I am knee deep in boxes and stress, for now, I’ll simply share with you why our pups are such a big part of our family (even though some days I think that if I want to keep my mind I should put Daisy on a bus and wish her the best).

Here’s a little story in pictures.

Guess since I have a sweet little mini-me who LOVES all things pups, I will try very hard to have more paitience with our furry companions.

When waiting for a husband (notice that I didn’t write, “when looking for a husband”) it’s important to dream about the kind of man that you want.

Ya know, godly, funny, smart, good with a hammer (because girls, I cannot stress how important this skill is), handsome, kind, and most of all, likeable.

Contrary to popular belief, if you don’t actually like your husband before you get married, chances are that you won’t after you’re married. Just a small factoid for your back pocket.

This said, I totally hit the husband jackpot.

My man makes me laugh constantly, he relaxes me and he always makes me feel like the prettiest girl in the room.

Which is important when I’m 20 weeks pregnant and haven’t had a good hair day in weeks.

Also? He’s an amazing daddy.

He is loving to our Bitzy and tells her over and over how beautiful and funny she is everyday. Seeing as how I also tell her those things constantly throughout the day, when she grows up she’ll either be the most confident and self assured women in he world, or she’ll be applying for Miss Universe. Either or works for us.

I could go on and on about my Zach and his fantastic attributes. Really, I could. But instead, I want to share with you one of the Christmas presents that I made for him.  Unfortunately, I didn’t write the poem, although I wish that I could have written something as potent and poetic as that.

It summarizes so beautifully his relationship with our beautiful Bitzy.

Naturally, we both sobbed when he opened it. I mean, I sobbed. He never, ever cries, because clearly, real men don’t cry (wink, wink).

Here it is…

I am blessed beyond measure.

Thank you Lord.

Hug your husbands gals! And those of you who are still waiting for yours…dream a little about him today.

As we embark upon a brand spankin’ new year it’s appropriate to dream, think and plan for our fresh slate of 2011.

Have you been asking yourself some age old questions recently about how the world goes ’round? Why the sky is blue? How the ocean stays contained and doesn’t rip into every house in sight?

Or, maybe more like, how can I stop eating every kind of sugary substance in sight and perhaps try an apple or grape? No? Maybe that’s just me.

Well, I don’t know the answers to any of those questions. Nope, not at all.

Sorry.

I stopped listening during science lessons when I was in 1st grade (no, really), and I’m 100% addicted to sugar. So much in fact, I keep waiting for TLC to come to my house and do some kind of freaky documentary on me and my addiction. If that every happens, you’ll be the first to know.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking a lot about 2011. Here’s some details…

*In January we’re moving out of our house (while I’m thrilled that our house FINALLY sold, I dread, dread, dread packing/moving).

*In January (please Jesus) we’re moving into an amazing house that we both adore! There’s some work to do (finishing the basement, painting, etc.), but nothing too extensive. It’s absolutely perfect for our growing family and we feel so very blessed to have the opportunity to call it our own!

*In May, we’ll welcome our baby boy, which just seems so strange to type. I still don’t feel pregnant. Sure, I’ve got a nice round tummy going on and my hips are widening by the second, but still, I feel great. I can’t believe that I’ll be a mother of 2 in only a few months. Un-be-liev-able.

*On another random note, Zach and I have dreamed of writing a children’s book since we were dating. Even if the only kiddos that ever read it are our own, we’re okay with that!  It’s a desire of our hearts and we’re going to make it happen! I’m going to write and Zach will illustrate, so stay tuned in 2011 for our new book!!!

*Then, after all the excitement of a new house and new baby, and best selling children’s book (ha!), life will hopefully settle down and we can get into our groove. We’ll be a family of 4 in a beautiful home with our 2 crazy puppies accompanying us all the way. It just seems like it’s someone else’s life, ya know? I assumed we’d live in this small 3 bedroom townhouse forever. But, thankfully, we’re moving out and moving on!

So there ya go. Lots-o-changes with lots-o-blessings.

I can’t believe that I get to live this life. So VERY fun.

What are your dreams, goals and resolutions for 2011??? Do tell!

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There are moments in life that are surreal. For me, things like starting Kindergarten, getting my drivers license, going to college, getting married and giving birth were all landmark moments in my life. I couldn’t imagine them ever happening, but low and behold, they happened. And now as I look back, I still remember the shock of it all. Almost as if I needed to memorize the feelings I felt because I recognized how rare and special those moments truly were.

Today, I had a surreal moment.

As I laid on the white paper clad ultrasound bed having warm gel slathered all over my growing belly I was nervous and excited. It’s not every day that you learn whether your newest sweetheart will wear blue or pink.

I remember as a kid putting pillows under my shirt and prancing around my bedroom wearing either a blue or pink shirt to signify the baby’s gender. Again, I couldn’t fathom that I would ever actually have a real baby growing, flipping and dancing in my belly. It just seemed like a far away fairytale.

Thankfully, my fairytale has come true.

With my precious Zach by my side as he held my love and firstborn, Bitzy Boo, we looked at our newest sweet pea. Although I have felt lots of movement already it’s different seeing the baby moving and shaking on the big screen. It was magical to say the least.

And then, the ultrasound tech answered the long awaited question. BOY.

A healthy, beautiful, strong boy.

As the tears streamed down my cheeks they were filled with happiness, joy and (I’m not gonna lie) a bit of fear of mothering the heart of a boy. But again, I recognized the significance of this surreal moment.

And I memorized it.

I recorded it in the jukebox of my heart and I’ll never, ever, forget the feeling of knowing that a tiny little baby boy is growing like a weed inside of me.

Glory to God in the highest.

I have not forsaken you my dear readers. Promise.

I’ve got a healthy mix of exhaustion, writers block and being a busy bee.

I’ve got 11, yes 11, half written drafts sitting in my blog queue. So, you’ve got lots-o-fun coming your way.

But for now, I have a few tidbits for you…

Some of you will receive one of this priceless works of art in your mailbox!!! Yay!

Get ready for my sweethearts.

In other news, my Bitzy slept for an hour and forty-five minutes today in her crib for her first nap!!!! I couldn’t believe it!!! So, then during the time of her second nap she walked around, whined, played and hung over the side of the crib for a solid hour. It’s like her body doesn’t know how to deal with a really good nap. So after her skipping her second nap she’ll be ready for bed at 5:00pm. It should be interesting around here this afternoon trying to stretch it out to at least 6:00pm.

Also, in case you were wondering, all maternity clothes are terrible and it’s starting to make me really annoyed. Just because I’m preggers doesn’t mean that I’m blind! I can see the terrible clothes on the racks! So the other night I was having a melt down about ugly maternity clothes and Zach says, “You should be a clothes designer!  Maybe that’s your calling!” To this I had visions of being the next Calvin Kline and then I remembered that I can’t sew or draw, so I suppose being a designer is out of the question.

Also? If you’re obsessed with spinal cord injuries and pregnancy, search no further, there’s a show on TLC called “Paralyzed and Pregnant with Twins.” It’s a Christmas miracle.

And finally, if you’re wondering if it’s possible to eat an entire pan of Rice Krispy Treats in one sitting, let me clear it up for you, YES! It’s quite easy actually.

I would be all cliche and annoying and make a big ole list of everything I’m thankful for this year, but friends, the whole world wide web couldn’t contain my absolute and complete sense of gratitude that I feel.  There is no need for a list when the Lord has so completely filled my cup so beautifully full.

The past couple of Thanksgivings haven’t been as blissfully sweet as this one, as 2 years ago I was grappling with our miscarriage and struggling to make sense of it all and last year I was living on little to no sleep and spent every waking second trying to soothe the blood curdling screams of my beautiful Bitzy. So, this year seems extra sweet.

I have a gorgeous and healthy family. My husband loves me and is a faithful servant of Christ and of this family, A healthy baby in my arms and one growing and kicking in my belly. Not to mention that my parents are wonderfully funny, healthy and as precious as ever. My siblings are smart, fun and loving Jesus….I told ya that my cup overfloweth.

So this year, I’m soaking it up. I’m breathing in the air of gratitude and enjoying the moments…for I know that I’m being filled just to be emptied again (lyrics to Hillsong’s Desert Song).

So from my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.  God is good indeed.

I think I’ve mentioned before that I love to read. Love it. Before my Bitzy was born I would devour books, one by one. My reading has certainly slowed down since the arrival of my girly, but I still love and crave the freshness of a brand new story told with a witty voice.

My favorite books are memoirs. Especially funny ones. There is nothing like reading about someone else’s life and laughing ’til you cry.

Kinda like last night.

Last night when Zach came up to bed I was laying there with tears streaming down my face, holding a pillow over my head, laughing so hysterically that I couldn’t breathe. No joke.

It was then that I knew that it was time.

After re-reading this book more times that I can count, I just had to share it with my sweet Zach.

So last night I introduced Zach to my favorite memoir of all time:  ”A Girl Named Zippy” by Haven Kimmel.

This book represents so much about how I love to read, write and laugh. Not to mention that our hometowns are painfully small, but still yet mysteriously charming. And our families are quirky, but still fantastic. That said, I consider Zippy and I soul sisters.

I declared to Zach last night  that before bed every night I would read him a chapter. I love this book so much I simply have to share it with him!

But then it occurred to me…I couldn’t just share it with him….I have to share it with all of you as well!

I realize it would be ultra creepy for me to hop into all of your beds at bedtime to read you a story, so instead, I want to give away a copy of my favorite book ever – to you- in honor of Thanksgiving!

I’m so thankful for you all it’s the least that I can do!

So, to enter please leave me a comment telling me what you’re favorite book is! Even if you don’t have one, still comment and hopefully you’ll win!

For extra entries you can tweet about this or post on facebook, just be sure to leave separate comments and let me know!

Winner will be chosen on Sunday, November 28th! Good luck!

Love to all,

PS: I am in no way associated with the author Haven Kimmel. She and I are not BFF’s- yet.  This giveaway is simply a gift from me to you.

PPS: Like my little stories? I would really appreciate it if you’d vote for me here and here.

You can vote once per day.

It was a normal Friday night in September.

Clear. Beautiful. Warm.

I am involved in a great ministry at our church where I co-produce a program 4 times a year. The bad news? It’s at 7:30pm.  Right in the middle of my sweethearts night-night routine.

In the months past, I just brought her with me and Zach would walk around with her, or I would wear her in the Bjorn. It wasn’t always easy, because heaven forbid that I miss bedtime.

As we have previously discussed, my darlings sleep habits aren’t exactly easy peasy. It’s like her sleep is behind a large steel door and I’m the only one with the key (which, let’s face it, I love it). I am able to get her to sleep with little trouble (if we follow the routine completely- to the letter), however, I am Mama. I have magical powers. Daddy is good, but he doesn’t have the sleep magic that I have. So, all that to say, while I knew that there would be tears on her part (and mine) without me being there, it was for the best. For a terrible sleeper, missing bedtime is never a good decision.

It was only the second time in her entire life that I didn’t put her to sleep, but I knew that it was for her own good.

So, that said, I went to my church program, did my thing and on the way home, stopped by Target to pick up things before heading home. I mean, I was out on the town people! It’s not often that I’m all by myself and have the luxury of stopping by Target, so I was thrilled!

While shopping I started thinking about it had been awhile since my “monthly visitor” had arrived. I dismissed the thought and continued on…but something was nagging me.

So, I headed to the pregnancy test aisle and picked one up just for fun.

I finished up and as I was checking out I tried counting days on the calendar trying to figure out how “late” I was. Math has never been my forte nor is actually writing dates down on the calendar to document said “visitors.” Therefore, with the test in hand I couldn’t wait until I got home to get the big news.

So there I am in the Target bathroom peeing on a stick.

I’m really classy like that.

Honestly, I wasn’t nervous or anxious I was just curious to know…

And there it was.

All I could do was laugh. I just laughed and laughed. I remember walking back to my car with the test in my pocket laughing hysterically. Although I was shocked, I was giddy with excitement.

On the way home I thanked God for this baby and cried and cried.

As I drove I started thinking about one of my best friends, Julie. I knew that she and her husband were hoping for a baby soon, and somehow I just knew that she was pregnant.

So I call her.

Julie: “Hey, what’s up?”

Molly: “Are you pregnant?”

Julie: “Um, um, um, um.”

Molly: “Yup, thought so.”

Julie: “Um, um, um, um.”

Molly: “When are you due?”

Julie: “Um, um, um, um.”

Molly: “I know that you’re pregnant. When are you due? You have to tell me because I’m pregnant too and I wanna know my due date!”

Julie: “WHAT, YOU’RE PREGNANT?”

Molly: “Just barely pregnant. I’m on my home to tell Zach, I just took a test at Target.”

Julie: “Target? You’re gross. I’m due May 15th.”

Molly: “I knew it!”

About that time, I pulled into my driveway at home and big goodbye to my sweet Julie.

I walked in the door set down the bags and called Zach into the kitchen. As he was putting something into the cabinet, I grabbed him and put my arms around his neck and said, “I’m pregnant.”

Then he passed out and I had to give him CPR.

Nah, not really. But he did turn as white a ghost.

Zach: “How did this happen?”

Me: “Really? Do you want to go through the birds and the bees again? Aren’t you excited? We get to have another Bitzy!”

Zach: “Yes, of course. Shocked, but excited. How did this happen again?”

This conversation is very typical of Zach and me.  I don’t over think things. I don’t go back in time and try to figure things out or dwell on the past, I just move forward and obsess about today and what the future nursery will look like. Not Zach, he’s more analytical trying to put all the pieces together.

He’s the cheese to my macaroni.

(which actually sounds pretty good right now).

Then, after all the hugging and CPR we retreated to our family room where we cuddled and watched TV and every now and then I would look at him and say, “I’m pregnant” and he would just grin.

Sometimes the unexpected blessings are the most fun.

Here’s the latest and greatest picture of our new sweetheart.

New life excites me like nothing else. So excited for May 27th!  God is amazing!