What One Has...

Over the weekend Vic and I had a long discussion about how our life is being lived. And it really made me start thinking about a lot of things.....surprisingly they were mostly all good.

Growing up, I came from a family that was established. My dad was the bread winner, my mom was a SAHM, and we (children) were pretty spoiled. Not to the point of being bratty, but to the point of not going without. My dad growing up, didn't have much, and it was his goal to make sure that he gave us the best things possible. So that we would not have to go through the hard times that he did. And he did just that. He provided very well for us. We had a huge house, nice cars, good clothes, was able to be in every extra circular activity known to man. And he supported it all...I had the silver trumpet when I became a freshman in high school, I had the private lessons, I had the car when I turned 16 along with the gas card to go with it. But there were rules that went with it all. No buying things other than gas w/ the card, grades must remain at A's, be home when told, do my chores ect. My mom was always with us. She finally got a job when we both were in school. And even that job was at the school. So she was always off when we were off....

Looking at it now, I was spoiled...very spoiled, and I was materialistic....

That leads me to our conversation.....so I'm going to put it all out on the line....it's more for me to reflect back on....

We don't have much. And you know we might not ever have a lot either. But that's perfectly alright with us. We don't live in a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, brick house, with a big back yard. We live in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath mobile home, that's paid in full. And that's fine for us. We don't drive brand new cars. Vic has a 1997 Honda, and I have a 2006 Scion. But they are perfect for us. We don't take lavish vacations, we enjoy going camping on the weekend. I don't have a lot of extra money to go spend $50 bucks on a new blouse, but you know a $10 top from Wal-Mart will do me just fine. We don't have cable anymore, b/c of the added expense, but we can see almost anything on the Internet these days. Tori doesn't have a lot of toys, but a set of old pots and pans she loves the most. Even though there is the most gorgeous dress on the rack, it's not on sale or clearance; therefore, it will not make it to the check out stand with me. These are the things that make me who I am....

Our biggest issue in our conversation was our dwelling. You know, it's really not that much. But it's ours. It's paid for, it was a gift from my mom, and it's perfect for us. But for Vic, it's not enough. He wants to do more for us (meaning Tori and I), and he's having a hard time accepting that he can't. He says it makes him feel lesser of a husband/father, because he can't provide more. This saddens my heart. He feels that some might think less of us because of where we live or what we drive, or the clothes we wear, or the fact that we can't always go places with others because money limits this. He fails to see that WHO we are is what people should be looking at. If they only look at our material things, then they are missing what is in our hearts. He is an amazing husband, and an even more amazing dad to Tori. These are the things that people should be looking at. We could have the nicer things if I went back to work without a doubt. But the only one that would be missing out is Tori, and that's not fair to her. I CHOSE to have her, I CHOOSE to raise her. We do without, so that Tori may be raised in a loving environment, and be raised with the values that we want her to have. I don't want anyone else raising her. If she fails at something, it's because WE did not teach her right. WE will be the only ones to blame.

So after our conversation, we decided to do a little cleaning/reorganizing of our home. And it has made a world of difference. But we have decided there are some things that we want to change about our home. First, we will be ripping up the Hunter Green carpet, and the linoleum in our kitchen. I've found some vinyl tile at Lowe's that I am in love with. It will definitely brighten the house. Then we will lay area rugs down. Buy a $25 buck rug and changing it when you're tired of blue or burgundy is a lot cheaper than redoing the flooring again. I will also be redoing our curtains. I've found a pretty easy pattern for Roman shades, and we both agreed that that's what we want. The kitchen and den will be done first, then I'll do a room at a time, to cut down on expenses....but that's neither here nor there....

I guess my main reason for this post was to realize that what I have, may not be the best, may not be the most expensive, but it's mine/ours, and I need to be proud of what I do have. I have an amazing marriage, I have the most amazing little girl I could have ever dreamed of having, I have a roof over my head that can't be taken away, I have a job that I can take my daughter too, my husband has a great job, and I have a wonderful family. So to be honest, I have a perfect life. Yes it has it's ups and downs, but it's perfect for me. God has blessed me with so much, I just needed to take a step back and count my blessing....

Yes I'm a Slacker :|

Well hello everyone!!! I know long time know update. My apologies. We have all been good. Babybear turned 6 months old on the 12th of this month. I totally can't believe that she is that old. I wonder where the time has gone.

The Bear is doing wonderfully. She now rolls over and over and over...she sits up by herself. She talks like there is no tomorrow (must get that from Nana), she love to play in the water. She now LOVES to be on her tummy, she will spend hours in her Exersaucer and Baby Einstein Jumper, she eats solids twice a day and loves them, she loves all of her vegetables (thank you Lord), she enjoys standing up on her legs and bouncing, overall, she's just AMAZING!!! God has blessed me with an amazing child to call mine....

In other news, my nephew turned 1 on April 23rd, Victor and I celebrated 4 years of marriage on the same day. I can't believe it's been that long, seems just like a couple of months. I'm very fortunate to have a supportive, kind, caring and loving husband/father for my child. I've been working at the sign shop 2 days a week. I take Bear with me, then at lunch time I zoom over to my sister's and drop her off. She likes being with her cousins. And it gives me some time to get other work done that can't be done at the computer. I'm learning the sign program and it is really cool. I've done a couple of quotes, weeded vinyl, designed a door sign, and some other odds & ends. Once again thank God I have a wonderful friend.

Well anyways, here's a couple of pictures to pass the time through

Tori outside in her exersaucer, the 2nd one is what happens when Daddy gets home from work...she's all smiles.

Over at Nana's house....this is a swing that is a hammock. It's AWESOME. And the baby loves it as you can see.

On our way to the mall...I bought her a new umbrella stroller. She really enjoys it...and like the bright colors to boot. :)

And last but not least, this is the Birthday Cake I made for my nephew Brandon... It's all home made, from the cake batter to the butter cream icing, and hand piped by yours truly :)

Happy Monday :)

I hope that everyone had a great Easter.  Our weekend was spent with friends and family.  Good times were had by all.

On Friday the hubby and I didn’t do much.  We stayed at home and just relaxed.  Not to eventful.  But it’s a good way to wind down after a hectic week.

On Saturday, the morning was spent finishing up lose ends.  But that night we went over to Steve & Sandy’s house for dinner.  It was so much fun.  Sandy fixed a wonderful dinner (stuffed chicken breasts with pasta alfredo & brocoli).  I was so glad that they got to see the baby.  They hadn’t seen her in a while.  She got good cuddles from her uncle Steve, and lots of hugs from cousin Summer.  (They are not related to us by blood or marriage, they are just amazing people.  To the point that if something was to ever happen to Vic and I, they are the ones we have asked to take care of Tori.)  It was just so nice to spend time with such wonderful friends.

On Easter, it was up at the crack of dawn and to church.  Then afterwards we went out to brunch, then over to my mom’s house.  It was a really nice time.  Here is a picture of my mom and the girls.

The yellow you see behind them is so beautiful…I thought it was honeysuckle but I’m not sure.  It smells wonderful as well.

Here’s a picture of just the girls together. We tried to get a picture of all 3 of them together, however PB (Brandon) wanted nothing to do with it.  So that was a missed shot.

And here’s a picture of me and my gorgeous Angelbear.  Ugg, I love the picture but goodness I need to start exercising again :(

Well I couldn’t post picture w/o posting one of my PB.  Here he is with his Nana (my mom)  I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!

Well that was out weekend….but I do have some good news to share, that we (hubby and I) are really excited about.  I am so blessed to have the friends that I do.  God is so good to us.  And this opportunity could not have come at a better time.

On Saturday night, while over at Steve & Sandy’s, they inform us, that one of our friends had left the business.  She answered the phones, did paperwork, invoiced for him, things of that nature.  I was really sad to hear that she had left.  Steve knows my background, and knows what I am capable of doing, and asked if I would be interested in working 2 days a week.  At first I thought he was joking.  But he wasn’t, he was for real.  The best part about it though,  I can take Tori to work with me!!! I will not have to leave her in a daycare.  I can take the swing and pack-n-play and set up shop.  I had been wanting to find a pt job, but did not want to put the baby in daycare.  And I can’t say I wanted to work on the weekends, because that is our family time.  This works out so perfectly.  God is so good.  I am so blessed with the people that I have in my life….

So as of tomorrow, I will be back to work.  I can wear jeans and a t-shirt, tennis shoes, I can take my child with me, what more could I ask for….oh, and the pay is good too :)

I’ll report tomorrow night how it all went….until then….  

It's been way to long!!!

Wow....I've been gone awhile...well not really gone, just not writing much. A lot has been going on these past several weeks.

The baby turned 4 months on March 12. On Easter she'll be 5 months and it blows my mind. I can't believe she is getting so big. She is such a blessing to have and be around. She's changing so much every day.

On March 16, we took her for her 4month shots and check-up. She's growing like a weed!!!! She was 14.5lbs and 25.5 inches. She's perfect in all aspects!!! The doctor was very pleased with her growth and development. Nothing to worry about in the least. She's still a breastfeed baby. No formula, and the doctor was glad for that. We got the go ahead for her rice cereal. Surprisingly she was really good with the spoon. No messiness at all really. Her shots were fine and just a couple of seconds worth of crying. She's so brave!!!!

So after a great appointment, our day turned BAD. My mom needed a ride home from work Monday afternoon 'cause her car was in the shop. We left the house and all was good, then when we were in the exit lane, we got hit by a truck. It scared the baby and she got a bump on her head. Victor got a sprained back. But the worse part was my poor little box...Over 5K worth of damage!!!! I'm just so thankful that the other part will be picking up the tab beings it was his fault. God is good!!!! He saved us from any major hurts and my car is being fixed.

The other awesome thing that happened was my dad came in from Alabama!!!! I hadn't seen him in several years. He stayed with my little sister for a smidge over a week and with me about 4 nights. It was so glad to have him here. I miss him so very much, and wish he was closer. Tori loved seeing her Grandpa. He would make these funny noises (whistling kind of) at her and she would just smile at him. (think CHEEZWHIZ smile). We had fun times while he was here, and so sad to see him have to go back to Alabama. Hopefully he can come back soon.

While my dad was here, we went and visited my grandmother (Dad's mom) up in Austin. It was neat to have 4 generations in the same room. We were able to take some amazing pictures as well. Here are a couple so you can see us all.

Four Generations (Bottom Row: Grandma, Ali, Amanda (my sister), Brandon Top Row: Me, Tori, my Dad)

Family Picture: Everyone from above, plus my Husband (left) Victor, my Aunt Lavon, and Nick (my sister's significant other) (not pictured, my Uncle Lee, he was the photographer)

This is my Grandma, my Aunt Lavon, and my Uncle Lee

Other than that things are pretty much the same....oh Tori has gotten her first real taste of big girl food. On Friday I mashed (read pureed) a banana in my mini chopper, and mixed it with her cereal. OMG I could not get the spoon to her mouth fast enough. SHE LOVED IT. I mixed 1.5T of rice cereal with my milk to make a good consistency, then added about .5T of banana. It was so funny to watch her eat it. Here's a picture for you to see her cuteness!!!

For some reason, she thanks she needs to stare at the spoon all the way to her mouth

Well that's really all for now. Must get to work on some sewing...

The Giving of Others

You know it's nice to know that there are people still out there that are willing to open their hearts and share with others. To "pay it forward" so to speak. Today I had lunch with some of the other moms in my SAHM playgroup and it was so nice to be out and about and to be with other moms. But afterwards I went over to one of their houses and was able to get some clothes for Tori. Unfortunately they are moving back to their home state and will not be a part of our group much longer. But before she gave the clothes away she asked if anyone from the group wanted anything. I was so grateful to have the opportunity. Now that we are on only 1 income, there isn't as much to go around. Yes we can sustain our life, and there will be some extra. But not a lot.

I am not to proud to accept hand-me-downs. Nor am I to proud for my daughter to wear them. They were given to us with an open heart and kind heart. And they are beautiful.

I just wanted to say thank you Kate. Your generosity is so greatly appreciated. I wish I would have gotten to know you sooner. Thank you so much for the clothes, and for the wonderful conversation today.