December 26, 2011

Dear Joycie: Your 2nd Christmas

Dear Joycie:

Your 2nd Christmas began early on Sunday morning. We went into your room at 7:45 to find you smiling and eager to start the day.  We lifted you out of bed and you headed straight into the living room:

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Once there, you found the kitchen set that Mama and Daddy had bought for you. Daddy had been up until 1:30 a.m. putting the kitchen together, so we were happy to see how much you enjoyed it. 

Since we were suppose to eat breakfast at Aunt Lane’s at 8:00 a.m., we loaded up the rest of your gifts so that you could unwrap them at her house.

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You were very diligent in unwrapping the gifts, taking one piece of paper off at a time.  Then you would laugh at what was inside. But after just 2 gifts, you were more interested in playing with Lacey and London’s gifts rather than opening your own.

After breakfast, we went to church and then to Nana’s for lunch and more gifts. 

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You took silly pics with Lacey and London, ate a good lunch, and then unwrapped more gifts.

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By the time we were done at Nana Becki’s, you were worn out.  We put you into your car seat, and headed to Nana Nancy’s.  You slept for quite a while in Granny’s arms.

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When you finally woke up, there were more gifts to unwrap. You received two more babies, and a rocking horse that sings….

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You were all smiles as you played with your gifts.  And made sure to give thank you kisses to everyone.

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We loved watching you on this special day!  We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

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Love,

Mama & Daddy    

December 20, 2011

21 Months

 

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Dear Joycie,

As the Christmas season began, you turned 21 months old.  Mama thought it would be fun to snap pictures of you through out the day of December 5th.  The first photo is how we find you each morning – all balled up, socks and covers long since gone….

DSC_1233And a peaceful expression on your face.   It warms our hearts to see you like this – we swear you are almost angelic.

Here are your stats for this month:

    • You are 44 inches long and weigh 28 pounds.
    • You are wearing 2T in tops, and have moved up to 24 months in bottoms. .
    • You are now wearing size 7 shoes.
    • After nearly a year (or more) in size 3 diapers, we have finally move up to size 4 diapers.

Your vocabulary is growing at a rapid pace.This month you learned to say the names of all of your classmates at daycare, each of your teacher, and a handful of the other students.   You are asking for help “Hep me, peas” is your go to phrase.

Another big milestone this month is that you went potty by yourself for the first time.  Daddy and I plan to focus on potty training after the holidays as you seem quite interested in getting rid of diapers.  In fact, last week at school, you took off your pants and wet diaper on the playground because you were tired of wearing them.

I think it is safe to say we may be seeing the signs of the “terrible twos”.  No is one of your favorite words – and we are having to use lots of time outs when you fail to follow the instructions we give you.  Thankfully, you are quick to learn from your mistakes – and one time out a day has you back on track.

You enjoy doing things by yourself – like dressing, brushing your teeth, and getting your cup/snacks out of the cabinet.

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Daddy and I try to allow you to do things by yourself. But sometimes, we come back to find things like the picture above.  Somehow while brushing your teeth, you managed to unroll an entire roll of toilet paper. All we could do was laugh.

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You are mesmerized by the lights and ornaments on the Christmas tree. But want NOTHING to do with Santa.  You had a part in the children’s Christmas play at church….and danced/sang to every song.

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Some of the other parents said that you were even more behaved than the older kids.  We had to agree – you continue to be a pretty laid back, mild mannered little girl….but there is enough spunk to keep us on our toes.

We can’t wait to see what the new year brings with you, Joycie!

Love,

Mama & Daddy

December 06, 2011

#Resound11: Theme Song

If your life was a television show, what would its theme song be? What
music would be cued at the start of the show or when you entered a
scene?

Think about this past year. Is there a song that you've heard that has
really struck a chord, one that has spoken to you? Maybe there's a
song that goes along with your one word for 2011. Maybe there is a
song that you've heard that instantly cheers you up or makes you think
of a special moment that happened this year?


Easy, my theme song would "My Next 30 Years" by Tim McGraw.

"I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years"

I will turn 30 in 2012 and I eagerly look forward to it as I spent
most of 2011 learnig to appreciate where I am in life!

"Hey my next thirty years I'm gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I've done
Maybe now I've conquered all my adolescent fears
And I'll do it better in my next thirty years"

2011 was really the first year that I did not look back with regrets -
over decisions, choices, life circumstances. I embraced what I had
done in the last 29 years, how it had molded me into the woman I am to
day, and I vowed to live life even better in the years to come.

What would your theme song be? All of the prompts for #resound11 can
be found at http://www.resound.jaemie.com.

#Resound11

I am a few days late to the party for #resound 11….but I figured
better late than never. I am going to briefly catch up from the first
4 prompts in this post, and then start playing along daily. I hope
you will join me.

Prompt for Dec 1 – One Word.

What is the one word that you would use to describe your 2011? Why
does that word sum up your year?

When I read this prompt, the first word that came to mind was
"growing". I think that it is very insightful that I chose a verb as
my word – as 2011 was a year of doing. I grew in terms of work –
taking on more responsibilities and project. I grew in my relationship
with Mikey – learning how to work thru some dark and difficult times.
I grew personally by branching out to teach aerobics and lead a
running group. I grew as a mother – learning how to set boundaries for
Joycie while allowing her the space she needs to explore her world.
And lastly, but most importantly, I am growing in my faith. As 2011
winds to a close, I am spending more time in God's Holy Word, in
prayer, and am preparing to start my first fast.

Prompt for Dec 2: Vices

Did you slip into any old habits that you wish you hadn't? Did you
gain any new habits that you wish you would've walked away from? Did
you discover the evils of Nutella?

One word …. Chocolate! After 7 months of dedicated 5K training and
cleaning eating, I embrace the summer season with a huge slice of
chocolate cake. Then it was ice cream sundaes with hot fudge syrup,
chocolate bars as my afternoon pick me up. While chocolate is
delicious and something I do not intend to completely eliminate from
my life…I can say that 2011 saw a HUGE jump in the amount of candy I
consumed. Hopefully 2012 will see a dramatic reduction.

Prompt for Dec 3: Virtues

What good have you done in 2011? Where do you really shine? What have
you done that makes you proud of yourself?
One of the things I am proudest of this year, is that I stepped up and
offered to teach an aerobics class at my church. The class started
with just my sister-in-law and I, but has grown into a group of 9
women, and has given birth to a weekly running group. Moreover, the
group became a way for the younger women of our church to fellowship
together – we have had girl's days out, movie nights, and weekly
breakfasts together where we just chat about our lives, and enjoy just
being girls (not wives, Mamas, aunts, etc…).

Prompt for Dec 4: Superpower

Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able
to leap tall buildings in a single bound…we know you've got one. What
is your 2011 superpower?

For those of you doing the initial what the what… stop. Think about it
for a moment: what have you learned that you can do better than anyone
you know this year? What can you do that no one else can? Don't be
shy!
This prompt gave me a lot of difficulty. I tend to think of myself as
just average – nothing special, nothing extraordinary. But then I
realized that I am special – after all God says that I am wonderful
and fearless made. I thought about the "gifts" that I have been told I
have, and I began to see a theme – I am a great listener!

Whether the hubby needs to vent about work related stress, my
sister-in-law needs to talk about her son's struggles at school, or a
co-worker needs to just talk, I am always eager to listen.

November 29, 2011

In This Family....

In this family, we love with our whole hearts
And tiny kisses from pink lips
And snuggles in Mama and Daddy's bed in the wee hours of the morning.

In this family, we fight with great passion
For each other
For our beliefs
And sometimes over silly things that don't matter.

In this family, we say we are sorry
Sometimes with tears
Sometimes with mumbled words
And sometimes with a simple touch.

In this family, we play tea party
And dress up
And "zombie attack" (with Daddy though – as Mama documents with the camera)

We sing silly songs
Dance in circles until we are dizzy
And laugh – loud and often.

In this family, there is a Daddy who works hard to take care of his "girls"
A Mama who prays over her husband and daughter,
And a little girl who is the sunshine in her parents world.

In this family, we are blessed with the love of Jesus
And His grace – which is often needed in abundance.

In this family, we are flawed.
Daddy can be moody,
Mama can be a nag
And the daughter, well – all I can say is "Terrible Twos"

But at the end of it all, in this family, we would not change a thing.

November 23, 2011

20 Months

 

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Dear Joycie,

Time has gotten away from me and your 20 months letter is nearly 3 weeks late. I am sorry, sweetheart. However, it has been a busy time in our lives.  Between work, school, and church activities, Mama has had little time for blogging.  But better late than never, so let’s get started with your stats:

    • You are 42 inches long and weigh 27 pounds.
    • Your clothing sizes have changed yet again. You are wearing 2T in tops, and have moved up to 24 months in bottoms. The 24 months are still too big in the waist, but fit you properly in length.
    • You are now wearing size 7 shoes.
    • After nearly a year (or more) in size 3 diapers, we have finally move up to size 4 diapers.

Your vocabulary is continuing to expand – you are starting to use more 2 or 3 word sentences to express yourself. Your favorite expressions are:

    • I want cup.
    • I go ouside (I go outside).
    • We go to kurch (We go to church)
    • Peas (Please) Mama.

This month you have fallen in love with the movie Rio.  You could watch the movie over and over again.  While Daddy and I do not let you do that, we do allow you to watch it some in the evenings, and we love to hear you sing “Rio, Rio” with the movie  and dance to the music.

You are starting to show signs that potty training may be in our future. You often tell me “I go pee-pee” or “I go boo boo” when you are wet or have a dirty diaper.  You have done this without prompting from Daddy or I.

You are still trying to assert your independence and strong will, and sometimes with shout “No Mama, No Dada.”  But general, a stern voice gets your attention, and you follow our requests without much fuss.

Joycie – You are such a delight to us.  We continued to be amazed at how quickly you are growing, learning and changing. And even more amazed at how much we are changing with you.

DSC_1166Love,

 

Mama & Daddy

October 13, 2011

Bigger Picture Moments: Praising Him For the Rain




I shuffle quietly in my kitchen, preparing the morning coffee, running thru my to-do list, when the sounds of raindrops against the window catches my attention.




It is still dark outside, but I can faintly see the mud puddles already forming in the drive. And I smile. Normally, rain upsets me – I associate it with dreary, sunless weather, bad hair (curls + rain = FRIZZ), and mud tracked throughout the house (19 month olds love to jump in puddles….).




But today, I smile at the rain and offer a prayer of thanks. It has been dry here for months. Historically, we’ve been in a drought for years, and the rain has long been prayed for, longed for, and wanted.




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I hear a sound from my daughter’s room, so I pull away from my musings and walk down the hall to check on her. She is sleeping peacefully, a faint smile tugging her tiny lips upwards at the corners. Her content expression reveals no indication that she is anything other than a happy, healthy 19 month old.




However, in the last 2 weeks she’s had several “episodes” – times where she seems to tense her whole body up, lose the ability to stand, and for awhile afterwards operates in a fog. A trip to the emergency room and CT scan revealed no explanation for the behavior. So now we began the testing, the consultations with physicians and specialists.




The fear, the uncertain, the vast unknown swells inside me…..leaving me cold, shaking, and feeling as though I am standing in the midst of a monsoon. And yet, I have never felt the presence of the Father more. A calm, reassurance that my child is ultimately His child and that she is resting in His hands. He speaks soothing words to my heart, telling me that whatever the doctors may find, He already knows and is in control of.




So as the rain comes down, I smile and I offer praise to Him.




Simple BPM


October 12, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: The Difference in A Year

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September 2010

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October 2011

October 11, 2011

19 Months

 

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Dear Joycie,

Last Wednesday, you turned 19 months old. This month has brought lots of new accomplishments and a few challenges, which we will talk about in a second, but first for memory’s sake, here are your stats:

  • You are 41 inches long and weigh 26 pounds.
  • Clothing sizes are still all over the map for you.  Your pants range from 12 months to 24 months, and your shirts are now 18 months (in tunic length) to 2T (because your arms are so long)
  • You are now wearing size 6 shoes – apparently, your feet have hit a growth spurt.
  • You now have 12 teeth.
  • You are still in size 3 diapers….and I am thinking you are going to be in those sizes for quite some time

Now on to the accomplishments.  In the past month, you’ve expanded your vocabulary to include “Quiet”, “Lay down”, “Daddy/Mama gone'”, and “Mine,  mine, mine”.  You are now able to undress yourself and have mastered the art of putting on your shirt, pants and shoes are still tricky.

DSC_1015You continue to adore your cousins and were so excited when you Lacey and London had sleep overs with you.  99% of the time, you play very well with them, but there are times where you do not want to share….and sometimes you take the toys they are playing with. 

I think it is safe to say that you’ve started experiencing the “Terrible Twos” (ahead of schedule) as there are days where nothing we do makes you happy, you refuse to follow directions, respond to every question with a loud “No!”, and if you are disciplined become a shrieking, crying, fit-throwing little girl.  We have to remind ourselves that you are trying to learn your boundaries, and we try to respond with patience and grace.  Thankfully, your bouts of temper are short lived, and within  mere minutes are smiling, happy girl returns.

This month has been a bit scary for Mama and Daddy.  In recent days, you have started experiencing “seizure like episodes” – so you are going to seeing a neurologist soon. We have to admit that Mama and Daddy are worried, but we know that God’s is fully in control and taking care of you.

DSC_1012 You have been a joy to us since the day you were born and we just know that God has fantastic plans for you.  You already show a huge love for Jesus – dancing to worship music, wanting Mama to read to you from your picture Bible, and bowing your head so sweetly during pray. We pray that we can continue to foster that love in you, and that Jesus will use you in a mighty way!

DSC_1013We are so grateful to be your parents!  We love you sooooo much!

~Mama and Daddy

October 10, 2011

Dress Like a Girl Challenge: Rock Fall In Summer Temps

For me fall is college football, pumpkin flavored everything, burnt orange and golden leaves dancing across my yard, bonfires on Saturday nights, and of course, fun fall fashion.

This week, I thought I would share with you my fall fashion staples. These are the non-fleece items that I use to Rock Fall, and stay warm and toasty.

My work dress codes requires slacks or skirts, so by Friday at 5 p.m., I am longing for denim.  Enter the skinny jeans. Specifically,  these skinny jeans from Old Navy.

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Skinny jeans give me more versatility in my fall wardrobe. I can pair them with a cute pair of ballet flats and tunic length sweater on the sunny days, or tuck them into tall boots on the rainy fall afternoons.

On my top half, I like to start with a lightweight long-sleeve tee.

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The Mossimo line at Target offers a wide variety of colors.

I love to finish off my look with a cardigan or fitted jacket.

blazerSource: This Next 

What are your favorite fall wardrobe items? Is there a scarf you love, a pair of boots, or a stylish sweater?  Wear it, snap a pic, and share it with us in the Dress Like a Girl Challenge.

October 05, 2011

Dress Like a Girl {October Challenge}

DLAG@PBinmyHair

I have been feeling it for weeks – a hint in the early morning air, a chilly breeze in the evening as the sun slips lower in the sky – fall was coming. And last week, much to my personal delight, it arrived!


As the temperatures dipped into the low 40’s, my first instinct was to bundled up, so I dug out sweatshirts, long-sleeve t’s, and even a flannel shirt or two. My husband laughed at me one evening when we headed to a friend’s cookout wearing this ensemble….DSC_1017


That would be a pair of knit gloves and ear warmers I stole from my 7 year old niece and my hubby’s fleece jacket. M (that’s my hubby) was laughing that I was bundling up at a mere 52 degrees, but his laughter did prompt me to evaluate the style factor of the look and it rated a big…


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Why is it that my default for fall weather is always fleece? I have a closet full of many more stylish options for fall dressing. Melissa agrees and came up with the wonderful October Dress Like a Girl Challenge.


This month we want you to dress for fall in a non-fleece way. Whether that’s wearing gorgeous scarves, drool-worthy boots, or a fabulous pea coat, we want you to be warm and stylish!


We will be sharing some ideas with you over the next few weeks. If you are a gal living somewhere where fall mornings are frigid and the afternoons are sweltering, come back next week here next week for some tips on how to rock fall clothing without overheating.


Alright ladies, hit those closets and show me how you Rock Fall without Fleece!

September 27, 2011

Dress Like a Girl { September Challenge Link Up}



Wow, the end of September is upon us and October looms on the horizon. Did you complete the September Challenge ?



I used the challenge as catalyst to remove my husband oversized tee’s and old boxers from my pajama drawers and replacing them with comfy, feminine, girly things.



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My first purchase a silky gown found on the clearance rack at my local Wal-mart. It was a mere $7.00. The first night I wore it, hubby commented on how “soft” it was, and kept touching me all night. :-)



Since I sometimes get cold with bare legs, I also purchased a pair of pajama bottoms and cute sleeping tank.



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These two items together only cost m $10.00 – again, a big hooray for the clearance rack. While I bought new items to wear, the challenge is not about running out to stores to replace what you have. Perhaps you have a pair of long forgotten girly pj’s or a smokin hot nighty for the early days of wedded bliss. Dig them out, put them on, and celebrate being a girl.



Now it's your turn! Share a picture, or a story...tell us how you did!





Grab our button, and link up your September challenge post!





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Don't blog? Don't have time for a whole post? You can just add your photo to my Dress Like a Girl Flickr Pool or tag/post it to my Facebook Wall! We'll be featuring one person (and their blog!) next week when we announce the October challenge!









Please Remember:




- Please link to your post or photo on Flickr not your main blog




- If you post please include our button or a link back to this post




- Try to visit who linked before you and tell them how cute they are!





September 26, 2011

18 Months

 

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Dear Joycie,

You are now 18 months old….nearly 19 months old as Mama took a little to long to get around to posting this. But better late than never. Here are your stats for this months:

  • You are 40 inches long and weigh 24 pounds.
  • Clothing sizes are all over the map for you. Since you are long and lean, you can wear anything from 12 months to 24 months. For example, on Sunday you wore a dress that was size 6-12 months. Today you have on a 24 month top and 12 month shorts. 
  • You are now wearing size 5 shoes and should be in size 6 by the end of the year.
  • You have 10 and a half teeth. There is another tooth on the bottom that is attempting to come in – we can see it but it has yet to break the skin.
  • You are still in size 3 diapers….and I am thinking you are going to be in those sizes for quite some time.

Your vocabulary continues to grow. This month you’ve learned to say “Sit down"’, “Come on”, “Up”, and “Hold Me”.

You are learning the names of the various people in our life – both friends, family and schoolmates.  You still love music and dancing.  Whenever you get frustrated, I often turn on your kids music cd and the tears stop immediately.

This month we have started weaning you off of your “pap”.  We went from having it all evening, to just a bed time, to only in the car, to not at all for the last few days.  You are still finding a few stray paps here or there (I wonder how many we bought over the last 18 months), but we are usual able to take them without incident.

You are starting to assert your independence – wanting to pick out your own shoes, dress yourself, or climb into your own car seat.  We are both proud and dismayed by this – as it is a reminder that you are growing up.

We love you to the moon and back!

~Mama and Daddy

September 16, 2011

Five Minute Friday: Joy

Today I'm linking up to Lisa-Jo aka gypsy mama, who chooses a topic every Friday and writes for five minutes.

Only five minutes.

Today's prompt is joy…..

 

Here I go.

 

"I've got the joy, joy, joy…..down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart"

 

A chorus of 15 little voices belt out the words to this classic Sunday school song as they dance around our church's social hall. I wonder if they understand the depth of eternal truth that lies within those lyrics.

 

Do they know that joy is more than a feeling of happiness, of gladness?  Do they understand that joy is not temporary or fleeting?  Can they understand that joy exists even in the midst of troubles and trials?

 

15 tiny bodies dance around the social hall, bodies moving with abandon, grins stretching wide across rosy cheeks…..

 

While they may not yet understand all that joy is, it is evident that they are full of it.  And I will do all that I can to help them learn about the ultimate source of joy, our Heavenly Father.

 

And I will pray that they will come to find the source of joy everlasting, so that one day we can all dance before His Throne – and perhaps will sing those simple words "I've got the joy, joy, joy….down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart"

September 15, 2011

What I Wore: Wardrobe Formulas

 

Slowly but surely, I am relearning what items/colos/combinations work best for my body and my life. Additionally, I am developing a "formula" for quick and easy looks that I know will carry me thru the work day.  For me, that formula is trousers, knit top and either a jacket or cardigan. Here are two different looks that use that formula.

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On Wednesday, I paired black trousers with a teal cowl neck top and a taupe cardi. I tucked in the top and belted the trousers to showcase my waist a bit more.

DSC_0008  Today’s version of the formula is simple greyish/black trousers, a patterned cowl neck top, and a cropped cardi.  I left the topped untucked for a little variety.

I think these looks is polished and professional without being too stuffy. Moreover, I could swap out the trousers for jeans/clam diggers or a skirt and have a simple mom-on-the go look.

Do you have a wardrobe formula? Perhaps, you have one or two go to outfits – looks you know will work and that do not require lots of planning?

September 14, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Big Shoes to Fill

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Dress Like a Girl Challenge: Revamping our Bedtime Wardrobe

 

September's Dress Like a Girl Challenge was to kick it up a notch in the bedroom.  When I am purchasing pajamas, I have a few factors that I have to take into consideration:

1. My husband firmly believes in sleeping in a cool room (think low A/C and a fan blowing), so I have to have pj’s that are warm.

2. I can not stand anything near my ankles when sleeping (weird I know) so pants are not an option.

3. I have an 18 month daughter who likes to pull and tug on my clothing, so I need tops that provide full coverage and are likely to stay in place.

A shopping trip over the weekend, led me to these little gems at my local JC Penney.

 

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These mix and match tees and boy shorts, give me the comfort of my husband tee and boxers, but with a decidely femine shape. The $9.99 price tag meant I was able to stock up on several different options.

Hubby loves to see me in gowns – preferably silk – so I picked up the two gowns below….for a steal.

img-thingSource: JC Penney

gownSource: JC Penney

Melissa posted some great ideas on Monday. Go check her out and let us know how you’ll be revamping your bedtime wardrobe.

September 12, 2011

What I Wore: Feeling Patriotic



I suppose since yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the September 11th tragedy, I am feeling extra patriotic. This morning my eye was drawn to a navy blue blazer and a bright red layering tank. I wanted to pair the items with a tan skirt or camel colored trousers but I own neither of those pieces. Instead, I paired them with this pair of very light grey trousers.

In the week and a half since I began my little "project", I am learning to look at the items in my closet with an extremely critical eye. By doing so, I have eliminated items that I either a) didn't love or b) are not flattering to my body. Additionally, I am able to see where gaps exsist in my wardrobe and determine what pieces would be great investments.

Expect to see me purchase a tan skirt and camel trousers in the near future.

September 08, 2011

Thursday Thoughts: Ready for Another Baby?

I hold the fevered toddler in my arms, feeling her warm body curling into mine, her soft breathe blowing against my neck, closing my eyes I remember when this toddler was a tiny infant who loved to nap on my chest with her tiny head tucked under my chin. As I reminisce, I feel the faintest sting of longing.

I turn to M and say “ I want to have more babies with you”.

He smiles and says “Now…?”

“Yes” is my reply.

Fast forward a few days, and the toddler is healthy, whole, and running wild thru the house. M is on the tractor, mowing the weeds that are threatening to overtake our blueberry fields, and so I am left alone to cook supper, bath Joycie, fold a load of laundry, and prepare for the next day.

As the sun is setting, M comes home. Joycie has just sput out her a half chewed piece of chicken and is rubbing it into her freshly washed hair. Frazzled, I glance and M and vow “We are not having another child anytime soon.”

And so it goes, a constant back and forth of wanting to expand our family and desiring to keep it in its present form. I know in the deepest parts of my heart that our family is not complete - there is an empty chair at our kitchen table that I hope will one hold a rowdy little boy with his father’s green eyes and strong chin. Or perhaps it is where our 2nd daughter will sit, giggling with her sister over shared secrets and Daddy’s jokes.

But something is holding me back. I often wonder if it is fear – fear of another pregnancy, fear of how our family dynamic will change, or is it selfishness. It takes careful coordination for M and I to do the things we do with just 1 child, how much more effort would 2 require. Moreover, I am in the best shape of my life, and I am not ready to allow my body to be changed by pregnancy. And then there is Joycie – the apple of our eyes, the center of our world – who is day by day developing more personality, more spunk. I worry that another child would somehow shortchange her.

So we wait…..and pray….. for guidance to know when the right time will be, for the child that is yet to come, and for the sleeping toddler who is a blessing to us daily

What I Wore: Basic Pieces

 

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This is not the first outfit that I put on this morning. I woke up with intentions of wearing an different top, pants, and cardigan. However, after dressing and living in the look I started to notice things that were wrong.  The top had stray threads from where the collar was unraveling, the cardi had a stain, and the pants are just too big.  So I put the items in a repair bin, a laundry basket, the donation pile and went to work finding something else to wear.

This outfit is pretty basic. It is just a simple sweater and dress slacks. To add a little oomph, I belted the sweater at the waist.  This look proves that you can take basic pieces and use them in new ways.

September 07, 2011

What I Wore: More Shades of Purple

 

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I love suits as evidenced by what I wore yesterday. However, with a tiny upper body and a pear shaped lower body, it is often difficult to find suits straight off the rack that fit well.  Therefore, I often turn to seperates to create a “suit” look. This is the case with today’s look.

Jacket:  Worthington at JC Penney - $30

Lilac Tank: Worthington at JC Penney - $10

Pants: New York and Company - $40

Look at this picture, I notice that the pants are feathering at the hip area which normally indicates that they are too tight. However, this pair of pants fits me perfectly in the waist and hip area.

Do any of you readers have an idea on what could be causing the feathering?

September 06, 2011

What I Wore: Purple Power Suit

9-6-11

Tank: Bass Outlet - $3.00

Jacket: JC Penney - $6.97

Black Dress Pants: New York and Company $30.00

September 05, 2011

Dress Like a Girl {September Challenge}


I have an entire dresser drawer devoted to pajamas. When M and I first married, this drawer was home to silk gowns, lacey nighties, and a few items that were gifted to me at a lingerie shower.


Over the last 3 years, this drawer has come to house M’s oversize flannel pajama bottoms, his old ratty t-shirts, and a few of his worn out tank tops. I would like to tell you that M had invaded my drawer. However, the truth is that I am using his old clothing as my pajamas.


I tell myself it is because it’s more comfortable. After 8 to 10 hours in high heeled shoes, button down shirts, and power suits, I long for comfortable. But in all honesty, I have just grown complacent. I know that M loves me,finds me beautiful in anything I where, so I see no need to put forth any extra effort.


And that bothers me. And since Melissa agrees with me, we’ve decied to make the September Dress Like a Girl Challenge about ditching our husband’s cast offs and finding our own cute (and comfy) pj’s.


If you’d like to join us, then dig around in your dresser drawers, search thru your closets, and find a lacey nightgown from years gone by, or maybe swap out your usual pj’s for something cute and girlie. Melissa and I will be sharing ideas next week for cute, girlie, and inexpensive pajamas.




DLAG@PBinmyHair

Weekend Recap: Football Season Begins

 

September means the end of summer and the start of college football season. While some will miss the hot sunny days of summer, I am excited about cool fall days spent tailgating and crisp fall nights spent in the stadium watching my beloved Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Tech kicked off their season on Thursday night – and M, Joycie and I joined my parents to enjoy the pageantry, excitement, and spectacle that is college football. I was even more eager to see how Joycie would react to football.  While we had taken her to the games last season, she was too young to do much but nap thru the games.

DSC_0767I had the camera ready and snapped this picture as soon as we walked into the stadium.  She was bit unsure of the noise, the lights, and the people.

DSC_0768  But she soon grew comfortable enough to prop up and wave at everyone who walked by our seats.

DSC_0769 When the band took the field for the pre-game show, she stood stock still and then broke into a dances.

DSC_0772

At the end of the first quarter, we made a concession stand run and Joycie enjoyed a bag of M & M’s all by herself.

DSC_0775At the end of the night, we danced in the stands as the band played our fight song.

DSC_0778  I will admit that Joycie did spend a good deal of time running up and down our aisle, climbing over the bleachers,  and trying to escape to climb the stairs – but all in all I think she did great. I am looking forward to seeing what she does at the next game.