Oh, hello, lovely

I am not always one for large jewelry. In more cases than not I tend to go with the less is more theory.

But J Crew's bold jewelry line makes me weak in the knees. Almost every piece I adore.

I have been eyeing this sweet number for some time now:

A few weeks ago while searching eBay for some bedding, I decided to search for this J Crew beauty in hopes of scoring a better price than their price tag of $150.

Well, hello Chinese knock off for $18.00. Don't mind if I do.

Keeping it real Friday

A couple of random but very real thoughts this glorious day:

Let's all pretend this is my current location.

1.  I had a million of boring errands to run during lunch today. Some were rather timely:  pick up my skirt from the cleaners that I need for a business trip on Monday morning, turning off our electricity and gas at our current home for our pending move and maybe pick up something to actually eat during said lunch break.
   Yet somehow I ended up at the nail place and not doing any of the above.
   I figured getting a pedicure was both better than lunch and cheaper than therapy.
   
   Which I may need because...
   
   
2.  The sell of our house in H'burg fell through.
   That bleepity-bleep house. I swear it's trying to kill me.
   Three years, people.
   We lived there THREE years ago. For a total of three months, for crying out loud.
   
   
3. A vacation would be just lovely.
   
   
4. The closer I get to my 9th move in 6 years (a fact I bring up a great deal against my sweet husband's liking. It's a fact that is both impressive and depressing to me.) the more excited I get. Future stability, you smell so sweet to me.
   
   
5. Jones' deep adoration of farm animals is at an all-time high. He has slept with farm puzzle pieces for the past three nights. He especially loves the moo-cow and horse. I will cry when he changes his current pronunciation of "heeeeee-orssse" to simply horse. It's so precious to my ears.
   
   Speaking of pronunciation ...
   
   
6.  Did anyone else watch the national spelling bee on ESPN? Because this girl did.
   At supper club last night our whole crew ended up cheering for Lena and Snigdha like it was the SEC championship. That's right.  We got wild at supper club.
   Those sweet word-loving kids. Bless them and the entertainment they provided.

My favorite contestant. Lena.

TGIF, readers, TGIF.

I-phone picture dump

Our week according to my I-phone:

He likes to dress himself on the weekends.

Found him like this - playing in tub eating a day old snack. Always with rain boots.

Sweet niece watching her big brother play t-ball.

I like to lay out during my lunch break at work. No judgement.

Jones has discovered the art of I-phone self portraits.  And he loves it.

Where's Jones?!

There he is!

Do you think I am a psycho?

Don't answer that.

It was a rhetorical question.

This is the second time I am said I was going private.

And this may be the second time that I am not going private.

Let's look at the facts:

I don't sew.
I don't craft.
I don't bake.
I don't sing.
I don't play an instrument.
I for sure don't decorate.

What I do: blog.

I like it.

Its my outlet.

Why the poo would I stop sharing the love because of insecurities with a few people?

Show me the love people.

I think I am staying on.

Thanks to my husband, my inner blogger is coming out.

So stay around. Read our bios up there. Let's chat more.

Get ready people. I hope to stay. We will see tomorrow. Woop woop.

Weekend recap

What a busy, fun weekend!
Trey was out of town serving at a Happening retreat, but even in his absence, the weekend did not disappoint!

1) Friday night I went to a ladies night downtown called UnWine. All of the boutiques stay open late and there is wine and cheese tasting at every store. Plus discounts on all of your purchases! You know I love a good deal.

It was a fun night to celebrate Laura's birthday. One store snapped this picture of me and my friend, Sara. Fun times!

2) Saturday morning, I ran in the Historic Starkvegas 5K/10K with Kristen. I am not sure why I thought it was a good idea to run with my large toddler, but I did. He is heavy. And my time showed just how heavy! But the weather was gorgeous and it was a lot of fun. After the race, there was a family fun run. Henry and Rob ran in it; Henry was so excited. What a fun morning. I am ready for another race....without pushing 45 lbs.

3) After the race on Saturday, Jones and I headed to my sister's house for lunch with my cousins who came into town from Alabama. They had a sweet baby girl in November and we have yet to get out hands on her! I was dying to show some lovin' to baby Josey. Get a load of those cheeks. I love her!

4) After lunch, while the rest of the family went to the MSU baseball game, Jones and I headed to campus for a work event. Jones was happy to accompany me to work - there was a kid's village set up! He was fascinated with the bubbles and the sweet college girls gave him lots of attention.

5) Once we finally made it home, we were able to play with our guest: our best friend in the world - Russell! Jones is fascinated by all things Russ. He was in town for work, so stayed the weekend with us. We welcomed the company! Jones' speech is improving every single day and over the weekend he mastered "RUSS"! He called for Russ all day. So much fun! We love any time spent with "uncle" Russ.

6) Saturday night, the whole family got together at my sister's house for her birthday dinner celebration. It is always wild and so much fun when we are all together. I don't have any pictures except for this one - me loving on baby Josey. I couldn't put her down!

7) I finally got Jones home and bed Saturday night around 8:45. He was up all day with NO nap. I was one tired mama. At this point, I was ready for Trey to get home. Again I say: props to single parents!

8) Sunday morning, as I was in the kitchen getting Jones' breakfast ready, I looked over to find this:


No diaper. Cowboy hat.
Naked cowboy.

Once I got him out of the hat and dressed for church, I put Elmo on and went back to my room to finish getting myself ready. I came back to the kitchen to find the pantry door open and a trail of crackers that led to this:

He helped himself to a snack!
There is no telling how many he had already eaten by the time I got to him. I asked him if he was hungry and needed a snack and he nodded enthusiastically and said "snack!". He was very proud of himself.

9) By Sunday afternoon I was REALLY ready for Trey to get home. Jones recently started this awful thing where he says "no" very disrespectfully whenever I ask him to do something that he doesn't want to do. I can't stand it. So after telling him over and over that we do not talk like that to mommy, I put him in time out.
I turned around for 2 seconds and when I came back to check on him in time out (the pack-n-play) I found this:

Oh my! Time to rethink our time out method.

10) And finally, Sunday night before bath time, Jones used the potty for me for the first time! He has been using it sporadically at school, but never for me. Sunday as I was running his water, he ran to the potty and said "tee-tee!". I freaked out.

Yes, he pulled the whole roll of toilet paper into the toilet. I didn't want to distract him by making him stop. He was concentrating!

And, yes, I did a freak out dance and song for him when he finally went potty.

And, finally, yes. I did have to plunge the potty to get a whole roll of paper to go down.

Now, bring on the week. We have a 2nd birthday party to celebrate on Saturday!

my view

I don't hate working here.
The groundhog may say more winter, but this weather screams spring.

My Current State of Affairs

Idea stolen from one of my favorite blogs: Rare and Beautiful Treasures. Hope you don't mind, Erin! (PS - I love you and want to be your real-life friend)

I added a few I-phone pictures thrown in for your viewing pleasure

Current guilty pleasure: Sunday afternoon nap while Jones naps. 3 weeks in a row. Lovely.

Current nail polish: I am bare!

Current play list: "It is well with my soul" Pandora station on my computer at work. I like it. A lot.

Current read: Just finished Tina Fey's Bossypants. Hilarious. Now I am reading the Bible with our church's read through the Bible in a Year program. It takes up my reading time, but Trey and I are enjoying it.

Current drink:hazelnut coffee with hazelnut creamer. Can't get enough.

Current food:frozen dark cherries and almonds.

Current favorite show: We don't have cable and we don't watch much TV at all, but right before bedtime, Jones snuggles up with me and we watch a Baby Einstein DVD. It's my favorite time.

Current wish list: material - a new purse / non-tangible: to sell our house in Hattiesburg

Current needs: faith and patience

Current triumphs: I have not cried on my way to work in over a week! And I am really enjoying my job and Jones loves his new school. We are going to make it after all!

Current Indulgence: breakfast at Starkville Cafe with Trey and Jones

Current blessing: a sweet lady at work has taken me in as one of her own

Current excitement: Trey and I are going to Oxford to visit old friends, Russell and Callie, next weekend. Adult time!

OK. Let's get honest.

Truth is, I was going to make this blog private. Truth be told: I probably still will. But, people, I got to email #200 of people asking to be added when I was told that only 100 people can be added to your private blog. And I wasn't even half way through the list.

So, if we are all perfectly honest right now, I have to tell you I feel pretty darn loved. If ever you feel down, tell blogland you are going private. That will perk you right up. Thanks, readers. I love you too.

A few things have happened since we last spoke.

Namely, we are no longer residents of the coast.

Just know we are starting a new life in a new town. It's neither here nor there. (What does that even mean? I just felt like it fit there. )We are both so excited to see what God has in store for us. It has been amazing to see His hand in this move already.

And, yes, we are appreciate your prayers.

However, from the responses to my "going private" post, I now know that none of y'all come to this blog to read about us. Jones, as it turns out, is far cuter than I will ever dream of being.

So with that said, here are his latest ever-so-exciting tricks at almost 17 months:

- Gives zurberts. Come on, you know what that is. Don't act like if I spelled it correctly that it would change things. Raspberries on your check, leg, or his personal favorite, stomach. He pulled my shirt up in a store once to give me one right smack on my belly. We are still learning what is appropriate outside of home behavior.

- Refuses to try to say Sophie. He simply calls her dog. I will say "Jones, say Bye Sophie!" and he will say "Bye, Dog!". I have tried to sound out her name while pointing to her. "Sooo-feee." To which he replies, while pointing to her, "dooo-ooog". As if to say "why is this idiot calling this dog a sophie when clearly it is a dog?" We will work on proper nouns at a later date, I suppose.

- At 15 months he weighed 26 lbs (71%) and was 33 1/2 inches tall (97%). When I hold him on my hip, his feet dangle to about my knees. We look awkward.

- I have never seen a child so obsessed with balls. He sleeps with a football. He wakes up saying ball and he goes to bed saying "night-night ball". It's all he wants to play with, throw, kick, hug, etc. He loves a ball. Which is a perfect lead to...

- The other night we were watching the first state game (go dawgs) with some friends who have a 7 month old that is so precious and still and quiet. Jones kept throwing a football at his sweet little head. (no fear. it was soft. I don't promote abuse) When Jones got sick of the sweet baby not playing his games, Jones picked up a toy laptop and chunked it at the babe's face. Game over, kid.

- He loves to wear caps, get muddy, tackle his mama and daddy (and random sweet little girls at the library) and play ball. And to think I once thought I would want a prissy princess. I love my all boy little man. I can't imagine anything better.

Here are Jones' precious one year pictures taken by the ever talented Tricia Butts at Betty Donne Photography. He was actually closer to 14 months when the pictures were taken due to Jones having the fever virus around his birthday and busy schedules.

Seriously, this girl is good. He doesn't sit still for more than half a second at a time. The fact that she is able to capture good pictures of a running monkey never ceases to amaze me.

(Check out all of them on her site. )

So I won't forget

There are things that have been going on in my head for a while now and I feel like it may completely get out if I blog about it. Maybe it's because I have no clue who reads it and I find comfort in that. Or maybe I treat this thing like a shrink. Or maybe I am just crazy.

At any rate, here it goes:

Have I mentioned we are living in a rental home right now? Since we moved a year ago, we have been living in a cute rental. Cute, small, rental. We still own our home in Hattiesburg (anyone interested?) and renting will allow us to really get to know our new city, figure out where we want to be long-term, and save money while we are doing it, all while avoiding two mortgages.

And I am so grateful for our home. Really, I am.

But every now and then I get selfish. I worry about worldly things that do not matter. I feel like I don't measure up. And I become dissatisfied.

We have moved 6 times in our 4 1/2 years of marriage (no lie) and I am ready to feel settled in a home. I am ready to buy new furniture. Furniture that reflects my style. Not the furniture we have. I want new rugs. I want new bedding. New art. New couch. New chairs. I want, I want, I want.

It's sad, really.

I don't need any of it. I have everything I need in this little rental. Trey is the most content person I have ever met. He doesn't need or want anything. For Christmas he asked for family time with me and Jones and a few days in the woods. Seriously. I had a list a mile long.

Selfish.

Anyway, I started my pity-party again a few weeks ago when we were decorating for Christmas. We don't have the room for the big tree that I want. We don't have a fireplace with a mantle to hang our stockings. We don't even have outside outlets to light up the porch. Poor me.

But then something happened the other night when Trey and I were sitting on our old couch looking at our little tree. Trey said it was his favorite tree ever. Jones' first tree. Our first tree as a family of three.

And then it hit me.

It doesn't matter that my Christmas budget didn't allow me to buy new and extravagant decorations. Or that our house is too small for a 12 foot tree. Or that we are sitting on a couch I don't love with our feet on a rug I could do without. None of that matters.

We have each other (that sounds like a Hallmark card, but hear me out). All our needs are met.

That is more than some can say.

The homeless and hungry in our city has been on my heart a lot lately - especially this time of the year. I guess I was oblivious to the fact that there were homeless in Hattiesburg, and even more so in Starkville. Never entered my mind. But our church here is a downtown church that reaches out to the homeless and hungry - an aspect that drew us in to the church - and I see it clearly now. And it breaks my heart.

And there are people going through this Christmas season missing their loved ones. I have heard of two young people - a college student and a young toddler - who have tragically passed away this month. Do you think their loved ones are worried that their tree doesn't measure up or their couch has more than a few spit up stains? Of course not. I cannot imagine what they are going through right now. I don't know them, but my heart breaks for them.

My sassy, hip, young-at-heart Nana had surgery a few weeks ago. She was supposed to be in the hospital for about three days. She is still there. In the ICU. After surgery, her kidneys stopped functioning. Her blood pressure dropped and she needed blood transfusions. The fluids given to her to help with her kidneys started to get in her heart and lungs. Then on Sunday we were told her intestines were leaking into her body. The doctors gave us little hope that she would make it past a couple of days without surgery, but her body would not be able to handle the stress of another surgery. If we decided to go through with the surgery, they gave us a 20% chance that she would make it out alive. That was Sunday. Today is Wednesday. She is still alive, even after the surgery. She remains sedated and on a ventilator, but has started to take some breaths over the machine. She even opened her eyes today for a few seconds. Tell me God isn't with us. People were on their knees praying the entire time she was in surgery. And those people are still praying - everyday.

My Nana was perfectly healthy before she went in for her surgery. We never imagined this outcome.

But I keep telling myself this is not tragic and that a life lived for the Lord will always have a happy ending, even though I selfishly want her to stay with us for many more years. Sometimes telling myself this makes me smile, other times cry uncontrollably.

I guess what I am saying is I wish I could turn back time and use my energy of wanting more, feeling sorry for myself and desiring things that, as it turns out, is completely pointless and use it to help the homeless, the hurting, the sick, the lonely. I wish I would have called my Nana and talked about her day instead of looking online for things I thought would make me happy.

So that's my New Year's resolution: be content. Be satisfied in what the Lord has so graciously blessed me with and not get so caught up in the things that I am told matters - my clothes, where I live, what my house looks like, how Jones is dressed.

Spend time with Jones, not time shopping for him. Love on him now, not focus so much on the future. Love Trey. Everyday. And make sure he knows how much I appreciate him.

Not take anything, anyone, or any day for granted. Focus on what matters.

If you are still reading, sorry for the rambling. Usually I just tell random stories and post pictures of my cute kid. But I feel better now. So, thanks. Whoever you are.

And, so I won't forget, here are our Christmas decorations this year - Jones' first Christmas:

it has been christened

The rug for Jones' playroom came in last night. I am not 100% sold on it. It is a bit loud and busy, but I told Trey I would put it down and live with it for a couple of days then make up my mind.



2 seconds after it was down, Jones crawled on the rug and spit up all over it. Does that mean he loves it and wants to keep it? Or hates it and was showing his disgust?



Either way, I can't send it back now without a guilty conscience. So it looks like the rug is ours.


I think I will like it better once I change the window treatments (it's a sun room. lots of windows.) and paint the walls (no clue what color...suggestions? I don't need it to be loud).

stanky mouth

I went to the dentist Thursday. First time since before I became pregnant. Yes, that was over a year ago. Don't judge. I've been busy.

Point is not the distance between last visit. The point is that I have five cavities. Count them. 5.

I cried. Not in the chair, although I wanted to. I waited until I got in the car and called my mom. A bit melodramatic for cavities, I know. What can I say. I am still a touch emotional.

I have had one cavity in my life up until this point. They say pregnancy and nursing can play a negative role in your dental health. Apparently my body knows to give Jones first of all nutrients I take in. Thought it was a wives's tale. Here I am today to say it's not.

I floss. I brush. I even Listerine. To no avail.

At about 200 bucks a cavity, I am less than thrilled about this baby adventure.

The sweet dentist told me it happens to a lot of women. And that my teeth otherwise were great.

Except for the one cavity that will need a crown in about a year. What am I? A 50 year old smoker? I die.

Thanks for letting me vent.

with open arms...

I welcome you, autumn.

Fall has officially hit the deep south. Oh the glorious 70 degree days. I love you. Never leave me. My air is off and windows are open. I even placed whole cloves in a bunch of oranges and put them in a bowl on my kitchen table. You know, just for the smell of autumn.

Enter my favorite three months of the year. Happiness ensues.

this really happened

Yes, that is my husband.

On the roof of our shed.

In our backyard.

In a neighborhood.

Across the street from a school.

Shooting the bow and arrow.

Apparently the cooler weather inspires us all in different ways.

See? He even had a target.

At least something was cute and precious in the backyard today:

striking similarities

Jones' hair is cracking me up these days. New hair is relacing the hair that fell out, but the sides and back are still going strong making him look a bit like George. I love my fat, teething, balding babe.

hello, august

please don't stay long.

I hate to be all negative Nancy on you, but this is my least favorite month of the year. It's hot. Really hot. There is not even one fun holiday. And a new one for me, the peak of hurricane season. Welcome to the coast, Heather. The only good thing I can see about August is that it is one step closer to football season and October, two of my most favorite times of the year.

With that being said, get a load of this chunk of love:

A bit sleepy during his bath last night.

couple of things

1) Kristen, Laura and Henry are here while Trey is at a high school church retreat (The Happening. Wonderful!) I wish they lived closer to me.


2) We decided it would be just a brilliant idea to delay nap time for a three year old and a 3 month old for a trip to Target. Why did we think this was smart? It lead to the following...


3) Decaf soy skinny caramel iced latte from the Target Starbucks. Generally speaking, I shy away from drinks with more than two adjectives, but I felt like I needed a pick me up in the middle of our target trip. And since I can't have caffeine or dairy (or a grita, for that matter) I opted for this cold treat. And it was good. Really good. I just told myself there was caffeine in it and instantly went to my happy place .


4) It is much too hot for children (and adults) to be out shopping/running errands. After loading Jones in and out of the car a couple of times, I needed a second shower (or a grita, for that matter. I see a pattern here). 110 degree heat index. Stop it.


5) Is the recession over? From the looks of no tax shopping weekend, I would say so. People came out of the woods for this. I bought some socks and Spanx. How exciting.

6) I am now at home with Jones and Henry while Kristen and Laura fight the lines at the outlet mall. Banana Republic and J. Crew just couldn't bring me to that heat again. The boys are both napping peacefully. I am not far behind them.


7) I weighed Jones today by using the ever-scientific method of holding him while I weigh myself. If I calculated correctly, he is upwards of 17 lbs. Do I have an abnormally large child? My tiny 6 lb. baby is no more. He has 4 rolls before you get to his knees, which Kristen pointed out are nothing but a few dimples in the middle of his legs. I love a chubby baby.


That ended up being more than a couple of things.


Here is a quick picture of Jones and I visiting Trey this morning at The Happening (which happens to be in Gulfport this time, but he is sleeping at the church all weekend.) Look how cute Jones' shirt is. A one-time-wear monogrammed shirt seemed a bit overboard for Trey. Whatever. I mean, how precious.


And here is a snap shot of Jones' first trip to Target. This was before he demanded (very loudly) to be held the whole time and before Henry announced to the store he needed to go number 2 RIGHT. NOW. But that's neither here nor there. Look how cute he is:

And, finally, Jones and Henry. Just because they are precious cousins: