Mid Year Review

I've been super busy and haven't taken the time to keep up with this blog, but I hope to do better in 2014! Here is half of my year in review (because i don't have pics from earlier in the year).

Charlie took his first trip to the beach!

(Also, I cut my hair in April so that it could be natural.)

I went back to school to get a Specialist degree in Education.

(Its an insane amount of work! Its much more work than my B.A. and my M.S)

One of my best friends moved to San Francisco.

(I was incredibly sad about this since my closest friends have all moved away.)

I made Brunswick stew for the first time, and it was delicious!

We moved Charlie to his big boy room. I thrifted this toddler bed and painted it to match the dresser we got from Ikea. 

Charlie learned how to ride his tricycle.

He went to the zoo for the first time!

My alma mater had its first football game in 72 years! Go Bears!

We spent some time at the Aquarium.

Our county had a big family day, and we had an awesome time!

We went to a couple of Halloween Trunk or Treats!

This is Charlie's first time in a theater. We went to see Shrek the Musical, and he stayed awake for the entire show (6-9pm!)

I went to Mercer's Homecoming, and this is the game where we broke an NCAA record and became the team with the best opening record in football. 

Charlie was in his first wedding! He did an amazing job as ring bearer!

I got in the baking mood and made jelly filled muffins for Christmas Eve.

All in all, we had a great year, and we look forward to 2014!  Happy New Year to you and your family!

A Love Letter to my Son

 Dear Son,
I remember being pregnant thinking that I would love the little baby inside of me, but I had no clue how this love would take over my life.  I held you as a new born still unaware of how strong my love would be for you. 

 As you grew, your smile became my sunshine, and your laughter became my joy.  It is my greatest pleasure to kiss your face and to hold you tight.  My greatest triumph is watching your grow and learn.

 You amaze me everyday at how much you know and all that you can do! I like to think it has something to do with all the steaks and hamburgers I ate when I was pregnant, but I'm sure it is just because God made you so special. I want you to always know that the thirst for overcoming obstacles and determination you possess now will always be inside you.  

 If you happen to get to a point in life when you just aren't sure that you can do something, I will be there to let you know that you can because I've seen you when you couldn't... I've seen you walk then run... I've seen you master the impossible.

 I constantly pray for you and your safety and your growth. I've never wanted anything more in my life than those things. I pray for your wisdom and patience.  I want you to grow to be a kind man who is gentle and empathetic... but not to a fault.  I want you to stand up for yourself and for others.  I want you to be good and strong.

 I want you to have the courage I didn't have and the intrinsic self-motivation I always wanted. I want you to be a go-getter and a good example for others. I will do my very best to set you up for a great future, and when your future begins, I want you to conquer it fearlessly so that you can establish a great foundation for your own children.

It is true that you can do anything! You are the great-great-grandson of slaves and the great-grandson of sharecroppers and domestic workers who had very little.  You can do anything because all of your predecessors worked so hard for you to have more. Your father and I will continue to work to provide you with the opportunities we didn't have or weren't wise enough to take.

I want you to make your own mistakes and learn from them.  You need to know what it feels like to fail at something, and you need to know what it feels like to get back up and try again. There will be times when you are discouraged... and that is ok. But you need to be resilient enough to come up with a plan and start over.  No matter how old you are, no matter your circumstance, I'll be here to pick you up, dust, you off, and set you on your way.

 You are the absolute love of my life, and I couldn't have been given a better kid to raise! You're so awesome, and I honestly believe that you're going to take off like a shooting star and change the world for the better. I want you to always remember that I am your mom first, and that means that I will always have your back.

 I will forever be your cheerleader.  And one day when tomorrow doesn't come for me, I want you to know in your heart that I will always believe in your greatness.  I love your more today than all the days of the last two years combined, and I will love you even more tomorrow!

 Love,
Mama

NYE Inspiration- My Kid's Birthday!

 My little love bug turned two on NYE!!! He is seriously the most amazing kid I know, and I am so very blessed to be his mom! He can sing his ABCs, count to twenty (although not consistently in order), and he can count to five in Spanish. He is friggin' amazing!

 We took him to Chuck E Cheese and the mall. I think he was a tad overwhelmed at Chuck E. Cheese with all the lights, sounds, and other kids.  He literally went berserk! Running and screaming like a crazed maniac. He couldn't sit still! He was the same way at the mall. 

At this age, he enjoys the gifts, but he likes the singing gift bags and cards most of all. The bag above lights up and plays the birthday song. All in All, we had a great time!

The Cupcake Effect

    






     Charlie + Cupcake =

Charlie + Cupcake + Playground =

Charlie and the Train

 My little bear couldn't wait for the train to stop! He just stood there staring at it as it rolled around the kiddie area.

 I had him ride with my mom because I wanted to take pictures.  Her pictures always come out so blurry because she moves the camera before the picture has been taken.

 Here he is looking at the conductor as though he really understand the exchange that is about to be made. 

He thought that I was going too.

I really love this picture because of his little hand on mama's leg... its just so darned sweet!  I love these two people more than anything!

I.Am.Winning!

 I seem to have luck running through my veins. My kid's daycare has a fall festival every year, and during this time, they raffle huge gift baskets.  I bought three tickets on the last day and won! I walked into the daycare to pick up Charlie, and the Director called me into her office to give me the news.  I couldn't believe it!

 

The basket was filled with all kinds of yummy, baking goodness! 

I have never had creme brulee or even seen it on a menu, but I've heard the folks on The Food Network mention it here or there. I don't think I'll attempt to make something so fancy... I might use it to darken up a chicken or something... I dunno.

This is what encouraged me to buy tickets for the raffle.  My husband and I always celebrate at the Cheesecake Factory... I literally think its the only restaurant we go to besides Chick-fil-A (which I consider a real restaurant since the staff places fresh flowers on the tables).  I can't wait to go!!!

 I often try to make things by scratch, but sometimes my baking doesn't turn out well, so I welcome boxed goods.  I've already made muffins and a loaf of bread (see below). And that Pam spray was right on time because we were soooooo out!

The cooking supplies were too cute since they were geared towards encouraging little kids to help in the kitchen. Charlie will use those sometime next year.

This is one of the boxes of bread... it was pretty amazing and very easy to make. I nearly burned down the house because I used wax paper in the oven thinking that it was parchment paper... but all is well! The wax smell is finally out of the house, and nothing actually caught on fire! Success!

Inspiration Monday- Party Friendly

This is a cool look for the Inspiration Monday over at Two Birds. This sweater of mine is one of my faves, and these boots are worn too often.  The top is a thrifted Jones New York that I got from the Goodwill.  I wore this to a baby birthday party (which explains my disheveled hair). It's a nice look that gave me the ability to run after my toddler (or some other kid) if I needed to.