My Momma's Day!

Around here.."Momma's Day" was a 3 day celebration!

On saturday, Damon, Makayla, and myself all went to Beckley for the day.  I would give Makayla credit for picking out my 'big' mother's day present..but she was with me when Daddy got it!  Gotta say..my man still has amazing taste!

 

Sunday was church, as usual.  Our church always gives out flowers to all the mothers in attendance, with the oldest and youngest moms receiving a hanging basket of flowers.  Even though we have a VERY small church, I had never won for the 'youngest' mom.  Someone always showed up that was younger than me (after all, I am in my 30's).  This time though, me and my friend Margaret were both in attendance.  We are extremely close in age.  Like weeks apart, literally (with me being older).  So I figured well, Margaret will win this year.  She is very deserving of it though, she does alot for her son and is always putting his needs above her own.  She is a great example of how a mom should be.

 

So it was a huge suprise to me that when everyone was trying to determine who was older, Margaret let me win.  She was trying not to make a big deal about it (everyone was getting VERY confused!), but I later learned from her that she had it planned that way all along.  Coming to church that morning, she knew what was going to take place, and she wanted me to win.

 

Even though it was 'just' a basket of flowers, it made my day.

 





These flowers mean a great deal to me.  Why, you ask?  For years (yes, years!) before I became pregnant with Makayla, this particular church service always tugged at my heart.  I wanted to be a mom deep down for longer than I sometimes give myself credit for.  After each mother's day service would end, year after year, I kinda just pushed the feelings I would have aside saying to myself 'its just the emotional factor that mothers have playing on me'. 

Being a mom, I've found, has been the most greatest blessing in my life aside from becoming a Christian.  There is no words to describe how much I love being a mom, how much I loved carrying a child within me, and how much I love my child. 

 

 

 

On monday, I celebrated with my own momma!  We just made it simple, with some homemade mango carrot cake for dessert.  I love my mom, I don't know what I'd do without her sometimes!!

 

 

 

I hope all of you had a wonderful momma's day too!





"Sunny" Sunglasses Giveaway!

Hello all!!  One of my favorite online eyewear websites, Firmoo, has contacted me yet again to see if I'd be interested in hosting a sunglasses giveaway since summertime is right upon us!

Why sure, says myself!

Ok..so if your new to firmoo or have never heard of them before, they are an online optical company.  Basically, they have all sorts of eyeglasses, both prescription and non-prescription, sunglasses, and you can even tint regular glasses to make your very own 'customized' pair of shades!  They are all available at GREAT prices too!  Just like going to your local eye glasses store, but virtual! 

But how can I try on glasses if its online and know they will fit or look right? 

Great question!  Firmoo has a 'virtual' try-on feature on their website.  Basically, all you do is upload a picture of yourself (without glasses on, of course) to their site, and then you can 'try on' any pair of glasses they have!  Pretty neat, huh? 

Placing orders and tracking your glasses once they are en route is totally simple as well.  So whats the catch, you ask?  Nothing!  They are truely a great company to deal with and have awesome products.  Just check out these cool frames..I'm in looove!

 



 

 



Ready to enter?  SIX winners will receive a $20 sunglasses e-voucher EACH..thats six winners y'all!!!  If I get 50 or more contestants to enter (unlikely, but you never know!) ONE winner will receive a pair of sunglasses, shipping included, AND there will still be SIX people to win $20 e-vouchers..so please..enter..and spread the word!  We're looking at alot of people to win stuff here!!  Just enter below in the rafflecopter, winners will be notified May 22nd!  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Christian Mama's Guide to Parenting a Toddler by Erin MacPherson

I initially wanted to read this book because a blog friend of mine had read it and the title of it just totally seemed appropriate for me in this stage of life!!  The author's take on raising a toddler in this book is hilarious..she keeps everything light and simple from potty training your child to disciplining your child during those 'terrible-two' years!  As a mother of a soon to be two year old..it was nice to hear from a published author to not take everything so seriously when it comes to raising my child.  It can be stressful when it seems everyones children anymore are looking for their potential colleges when they are in first grade! 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone raising a toddler.  It's important to keep Christ centered in raising a child this day and age..and the author here shows how she does it in everyday tasks.  Sometimes when your so busy keeping them entertained, trying to teach them colors, and teaching them to go potty, we can miss out on the fun stuff.  Like sloppy kisses, finger paintings, fresh picked flowers, or yes..crayon masterpieces on the living room wall!  Learn to love this age..because before you know it..they will be off to college and not a little child anymore.  :-)

I received this book through booksneeze to read and review for free..my opinions are my own.

Callings

bear with me..it might seem like i'm rambling at first..but there is a point...

 

There are a lot of callings in life. 

Think about it.  If you look from a Christian standpoint, some are called to preach, to teach, to sing, and so on. 

Some are called to be mothers and fathers.  Sisters and brothers.  Step-parents even.  Some are called to adopt or to foster children. 



We all have callings.  Plural, notice.  So far in my life, I've been 'called' for many things.  Singing in church, a prayer warrior, a wife to my husband, a mother to my beautiful daughter.  You could even say I was called to craft!!  Its not just the big things in life..but everything big and small. 

Lately, I found out another calling I had.  One I actually hoped I would be able to avoid, but knew it was something that I couldn't get away from any longer.

It all started when I went to the doctor over that wasp sting.  I just didn't fill y'all in on everything that office visit entailed.  Until now, that is.  When I went in, my blood pressure was high.  Nothing unusual for me, I'm pretty notorious for having 'white coat syndrome'.  I was ok during my pregnancy, and my doctor kinda figured me out.  Take my blood pressure when I first arrive, it would be high.  Wait a few minutes while in the exam room, take it again, it would be good. 

This time it didn't quite happen that way.  Of course, I chalked it up to having never seen this doctor before, and knowing he had quite the reputation in our small town (aka..that he's a bonafide 'quack').  He wrote me a prescription but I vowed to not have it filled until a couple things happened.

One..that I got over the wasp sting.  When I went in that day, I was in PAIN and in hysterics!  I about had myself worked up enough to think I was having an extreme allergic reaction to the sting (days later, mind you..that just shows you how Satan can work in a persons mind)..throat swelling and all.  I think it was more like the verge of a crying breakdown that made me feel that way.

And two..that I would take it at home first..in a comfortable environment for me.  So I got over the sting, and was feeling pretty good.  Minus a few headaches scattered here and there.  I was shocked when I took it, y'all.  It was HIGH.  Scary high.  I took it a while later, same thing. 

I figured maybe the 'quack' was right about something for a change.

So I got my medicine filled and began taking it.  I'm still trying to not stress about the side affects (if you've ever taken any type of medication and read the side affect list, you know what I'm talking about).  But I did take my pressure once after having taken a pill and it did go down significantly.  I'm still a bit stressed (please remember me when you pray!) but am learning how to trust God in all of this.

I'm not really saying that me having a health problem was a 'calling'..but more of a call to myself, that I need to be a bit more healthy in the choices I make. Granted, this past year has taken a toll on me.  If you know me really well, you know what I'm talking about.  I've been through the wringer in more ways that one.  But, I can't place the blame on life situations.  I have to learn how I handle stress in a better way and how to handle my eating habits when I'm stressed better.

Because, I do have callings.  I need to be around for my little girl.  I need to be here for my husband. 

And speaking of my husband...he's had a 'calling' as of late as well. 

He was called back to the place of employment that laid him off last year.  I didn't know what to make of it at first.  I was scared.  "Should he really go back?", crossed my mind.  We talked about it.  And then I learned something. 

Damon had been praying on his way to work, everyday, that God would lead him to a place of work(or if it was where he was at already, that God would show him) where it would be best for us as a family and where we'd have health insurance. 

It was his calling.  So he went back.  It made me proud to know that my husband was putting his families needs first.  He knew what we needed as a whole unit.  It wasn't about him, but what God wanted. 

And God heard.

Hiding a breaker box...

So last week when I did my laundry room reveal..I didn't quite have it 100% finished.  I was in the middle of working on the 'cover' I was making for the breaker box when I was stung by that wasp.

I spent the rest of the week recovering.

But by the weekend, I jumped back into it and completed my project! Success!!  I originally got the idea on pinterest somewhere.  What we basically did was buy some trim at Lowe's that looked like what you'd use for a picture frame (you could use whatever suited your tastes, obviously), cut it to size and pieced it together, painted it to match the decor, and I hot glued some wonderful stuff I found at Hobby Lobby to the back....



 

What I was left with was a genius, if I do say so myself, way to hide the dreaded breaker box!!!!

 

 

Before:

 

 

After:

 

 

Currently, I have it hanging up with command strips.  But I'm planning on changing that out shortly.  Because while I can still get it down when necessary, it would be much easier if I used some adhesive backed magnets.  I started to buy some, but couldn't justify the cost and then later realized, they weren't much more than the command strips I bought.  So I might as well do it with the magnets because it would make taking it down MUCH easier. 

 

And I wanted to add this for comparison purposes..but I went looking through my old files and found a picture when I had painted my laundry room the FIRST time..in orange.  I gotta say..what a difference!!

 

Before:

After:



 

But isn't the breaker box cover neat??  My mom saw it and was very impressed.  I think she's wanting one for hers now.  Look out dad..looks like a project is comin' your way!

 



My "mark"

I don't think I ever explained my little 'mark' to  y'all on the blog..so I figured it was long past due.

"What on earth is she talking about?", your all probably asking yourselves right about now.

Ever since I could remember, I had a mole right smack dab in the middle of my chest.  Lovely spot for such a thing to grow.  V-neck shirts and basically any kind of shirt with 'style' (save for a tshirt, of course) was always sure to accent that darn mole.  I always wanted to hide it, but as the years went on, I figured there wasn't much I could do but live with it.

And that I did.

I had many moles removed over the years, but that one always remained.  Until about 7-8 months after I had Makayla, that is.

While I was pregnant, my 'mark' started looking...different.  I read that the hormones associated with pregnancy can do that to moles, and to be extra digilent if any really takes a 'turn' on you.  Mine just looked..different..strange..odd, if you will.  So when I delievered Makayla and while was still in the hospital, one of the nurses even commented on it.



"Did it start looking different once you became pregnant?  ....followed by "..you should probably have it checked out.". 

My mind was actually already made up before I had said conversation with said nurse.  I just didn't like the way the 'mark' was looking.  But then, I was breastfeeding, and I didn't want anything to complicate that..so I held off for 7-8 months..when she wasn't taking in as much from me.

I was still scared.  I was more scared they'd put me on some sort of medication (why I don't know) and I wouldn't be able to breastfeed anymore.  Any mom who breastfeeds exclusively knows what I'm talking about.  Your afraid of the little things of derailing your 'flow'. 

Ok that sounded weird. 

So I went in and I had the 'mark' removed.  It wasn't as bad as I thought..and I didn't have to take any medication. 

But low and behold, I was left with another 'mark'!



Have you ever wondered when I post pictures of myself on here..they are usually from a certain point..up?  Sometimes I can't get away with it..but trust me..if I can..I do my best to hide the 'mark'.  I've looked into special creams for keloids (the name of the type of scar I now have) but I hesistate to fork out $50 for something I don't know will work.  I've used Mederma, Scar Zone, and all those otc scar creams.  They don't make a difference in its appearance one way or another.  I heard you can have a scar 'scraped' recently.  That was a new one.  But wouldn't you still be left with the same thing?  Something I'll have to ask a doctor if I ever look into doing something about it.

When we have insurance again, that is.  ;-)

Anyone out there ever dealt with an ugly scar after a surgerical procedure?  Tips/recommendations??  I'd love to hear from you!!  Oh and fyi..the doctor warned me before he removed my mole..that it would leave a scar..just because of where it was located..its an area more proned to scar more easily.  I had one removed from my head and neck at the same time and you couldn't tell either was ever there now.  So I guess he was right.

And on a side note..I find it oddly funny that I was absolutely crazy about this show when it was on several years ago...still wish they'd bring it back...



I fought the wasp, and the wasp won.

So I'm really glad I did all my blog posts last week early and had them pre-posted.

Monday night, I went to fold and put away the laundry I had hanging out on the line all day (I even had a picture in this post last week of my line-dried clothes).  Low and behold, a wasp was inside one of Damon's jeans.

It got me. 

I spent monday night, all day tuesday, and all day wednesay in a lot of pain.  Redness, swelling, and all the greatness that comes with a bee sting.  I'm allergic..but not in a life-threatening kinda way. 



 (My view from the couch while icing my hand)

 

I even went as far as to go to the doctor on wednesday, even though we have no health insurance and it meant I had to pay out of pocket.  I was desperate for something that might give me some relief.

 

Found out I should have just stayed home.  There wasn't really anything he could prescribe (though he did give me a prescription for steroids, which I didn't want to take unless it got a lot worse) and told me to keep taking and doing what I had been.  Pain relievers, benedryl, ice/heat the area (which I might add heat just made it feel worse). 

 

The swollen arm and hand

And for comparison purposes, my other arm and hand (so you know I'm not freakishly large)

 

By thursday, I was starting to feel better.  The pain had left, so that was a victory in itself.  I was still swelled and it actually was a little worse then than it was in the above picture (which was taken wednesday night).  By the weekend, the swelling was completely gone and all that remained was a little soreness.

 

Wasps.  They are NOT my friend.  But at least I got something sweet from Damon after my ordeal that made my day.

 

 

:-)