Mother's Day 2010

Mother's Day this year was my first "official" Mother's Day. I would say it was a great day. Nothing special really, we went to church, had a sermon on women and their roles in marriages and in life, came home, had lunch, and RESTED! We were really lazy most of the day. It was really nice because the kids played well and I got to spend some nice time with my husband just relaxing.

I got several cards and also a Willow Tree figurine. I love it. They are such cute figurines. We didn't take any pictures (not sure why) but we had a great day.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Show Us Your Life-Kid's Names

Today over at Kelly's Korner it is Show us Your Life-Kid's Names. I thought I would join in since I love naming babies :)

As you know (if you read my blog) our daughter's name is Isabella Grace. I originally had picked out the name Lilyann Eve. But after having several friends naming their baby girls some variation of Lily I decided against it. Isabella is not a family name, neither is Grace. I was not really "for" the name at first because I figured everyone would associate it with "Twilight" but after deciding against Lilyann, I decided it wasn't a big deal if people thought we named her after Bella on Twilight. I just like the name Grace so I put them together and they sounded beautiful :)

If we had been pregnant with a boy, his name was going to be Samuel Bradley. Samuel is a strong biblical name and that is what we wanted for our son/future son. Bradley is my maiden name and I have always wanted my son's middle name to be Bradley, to honor my father and his part of my family.

I did not name (of course) my step-children but I do love the uniqueness of their names.

Elijah Nathaniel

and

Kirsten Margaret

My Mother(s)

In light of Mother’s Day on Sunday.  I thought I would write a post about the mothers in my life.  They have all added something so very special to my life and life would not be the same without them.  I am so thankful for all of them and wanted to pay this small tribute to each one. 

My Mother (Mommy) Brenda

I introduced you to my mom briefly here.  But I thought I would tell you a little more about her.  Please don’t think I am telling you a secret when I talk about my mom.  She is completely an open book about her past and does not care at all if people know.  That is one thing that I absolutely love about her.  She is so open, she does not try to hide her imperfections, she will tell you she has made and daily makes mistakes.  She does not put on a “front” to try and be something she isn’t.  She is truly her…She is Brenda.  You know the saying “What you see is what you get”? Well that sums up my mom in 7 little words.  I wouldn't change/trade her for the world! 

My mom had an addiction to drugs, mainly crystal meth, for many years.  She was in and out of jail many times for various things.  I was naive to most of this growing up until my teen years.  In 2006, my mom was arrested and sentenced to prison time.  I don’t recall exactly how much time she spent in county jail and then in prison but it was about the equivalent of  10-11 months.  I went to see my mom every time she had visitation, which was every other weekend just about.  This was no small feat, the prison she was in, was about 4 hours from my home.  She was released on January 25, 2007, which also happens to be my niece’s (her granddaughter’s) 1st Birthday.  She was thrilled to be coming home on such a special day and getting to spend that 1st birthday with her 1st grandbaby.  I picked her up from prison that day.  It was a special moment for my mom and I.   I felt like I had my “real” mom back.  No drugs, no lies, no nothing..just Mom :)

My mom now is saved and is a great Christian woman.  She is always there for us no matter what and I am so excited to be giving her another granddaughter.  I could not ask for a better mom and I would not change her past for anything because I believe that is how she came to Christ and no way is the “wrong” way to be led to HIM!

I have been told my entire life that I am my mom’s twin…I don’t see it..Do you?

 

 

My Step-Mom Dana

I also introduced you to Dana briefly in this post.  Like I stated in that post, my dad married Dana when I was 5-ish?  I think.  Don’t quote me on that one.  It has been a long time..lets just put it that way.  Dana and I didn’t always get along, as with a lot of step-mothers and step-daughters.  But as I got older and more mature we really got to know each other more and finally became friends.  I respect Dana a whole lot.  She raised her own 2 kids and helped raise my brother and I. 

In 2003 (I think, again don’t quote me) Dana was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.  We were all so shocked and just could not believe it.  We all had to go to a meeting with the doctor when she started chemotherapy and he told us what would happen.  We had no idea what to expect.  Dana got very sick, lost her hair, but NEVER, EVER gave up.  She was one tough cookie.  After chemotherapy didn’t work, Dana had a mastectomy.   She is now cancer-free and we are so happy that God brought her and our family through that rough part of life.  I honestly believe that without HIM we would have been complete basketcases.  HE is the one that healed her and for that we are forever grateful!

There is a song that reminds of me Dana by Craig Morgan, here are the lyrics:

We sat there five years ago
The doctors let us know, the test showed
She’d have to fight to live, I broke down and cried
She held me and said it’s gonna be alright
She wore that wig to church
Pink ribbon pinned there on her shirt
No room for fear, full of faith
Hands held high singing Amazing Grace
Never once complained, refusing to give up
And I thought I was tough

Chorus
She’s strong, pushes on, can’t slow her down
She can take anything life dishes out
There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough

She’s a gentle word, the sweetest kiss
A velvet touch against my skin
I’ve seen her cry, I’ve seen her break
But in my eyes, she’ll always be strong

Dana is so strong.  That is what I admire about her the most.  I love having her as a step-mom, and as far as step-moms go…I have the best!

 

My Mother-in-Law Teresa

Noah and I started dating in September 2008.  It was not long (maybe a week) after we started dating that I met his parents.  I remember thinking “Wow she’s pretty” when Noah’s mom stepped out of her bedroom.  Teresa is one of the sweetest, most sincere, most graceful women I know.  She is a “girly girl” and has somehow transformed me into one (sort of) ha! But I love it! 

Teresa and I get along great and I could not ask for a better (non-nosey) mother-in-law.  She is not a mother-in-law that gets in your business and tells you how to do things “right” for her son.  Nope, she is not that at all! We live with her (and Noah’s dad Leroy) and I get the same question all the time “Don’t living with your mother-in-law drive you crazy?”  My answer is always the same…”actually..NO!” I love living there and am so thankful that they are letting us live there while we get our feet on the ground and our finances straight to buy our own house.  I see it as a great benefit and by no means a downfall or awful situation. 

Teresa spoils us (me AND Noah) rotten!! We love it (of course, who wouldn’t?) I love being able to say that I truly LOVE my mother-in-law! She is a great person and I could not ask for better in-laws!

 

So there you go.  My 3 mothers.  Each one unique, individual and I would not trade any of them for the world! 

Happy Mother’s Day to the 3 Mothers in my life!! I love you all!

Christian Party of TN

My husband has been led to try and start a new political party. He, of course, has to start locally so right now it is called the Christian Party of TN. You can view his website here. We are both really excited about this and really hope that it comes to fruition for him. If you are in TN and would like to join, please feel free to contact him through his website. Or if you are out of state and feel led to start a Christian Party in your state, contact him!

Baby Shower

Saturday, May 1st, I had my first baby shower! I was so worried on Friday night that things weren't going to go right because of all the nasty weather we were having here in the South :)

We drove down to my parents house in AR on Saturday morning, in some really nasty rain and storms for half of the way. We arrived RIGHT when it was supposed to start and when guests were arriving so I had no time to freshen up after my 3 hour car ride..ugh!

Here are some pictures from the shower:




















The outfit I am holding in picture #3 is Isabella's coming home outfit! I just adore it!

It was a great turnout and Isabella really was spoiled. I am so thankful for all the great friends and family that came out to show their love for me and Isabella!

Just wanted to say an extra special THANKS to my sister, Ashley, step-mom Dana, and mom, Brenda for hosting and throwing this beautiful shower! I feel so loved!

Ms. Isabella is pretty set now and we will have little to buy when she gets here!

God is so mighty and we are so blessed!

Monday Minutes for 05/03/2010

Today I decided to link up with The Daily Dose of Reality for his Monday Minutes after seeing it on The Daily Dribbles, I thought it would be fun!




1 - How much would you have to be paid to eat a human cadaver's finger?
Absolutely no amount of money could ever justify this...NONE! NEVER! :)

2 - Describe the worst physical fight you've ever been in.
I have to say with my sister once...glasses were broken, hair was pulled out, and someone was drug down a flight of stairs by their hair. That is all I am saying.

3 - Name one song that if you never heard it ever again, you'd be thrilled.
"I'm a Be" I hate that song!

4 - Describe the "drunkest" situation you've ever been.
It was October of 2008, I had just started dating Noah and we went out with some friends of mine. It started at a friend's house were we drank, my drink of choice Crown Royal straight from the bottle chased by Coke (bad idea!) and then went bowling...I remember NOTHING of bowling (apparently, I didn't even bowl) But I do remember sitting in our car waiting on our friends to finish bowling and telling Noah to "make it go away" and crying! It was awful. And the next morning I had to get up and go have lunch with Noah's grandparents..it was torture!!

5 - What's your biggest regret?
Spending time on a relationship that I knew in my heart was not good and just caused heartache and grief! 4 years of my life could have been spent doing much better things!! Also, not going to college right out of high school (when I had a full paid scholarship)

Head on over to The Daily Dose of Reality for more great Monday Minutes!

26 weeks!

Just a quick post before I get ready and head out on my Birthday/Baby Shower adventure in AR.

I passed my glucose test at the doctor's office on Thursday! Relief :) And I have not been having any dizzy spells/headaches since the doctor gave me my restrictions. So those are two big positives.

Here I am at 26 weeks pregnant with our precious baby girl, Isabella!






Isn't it truly amazing how you love someone so much and you have not even met them yet? Isabella gets more active everyday and I absolutely love it!!

I have still only gained 16 lbs and I am pretty proud of that. I hope my weight gain stays under control the entire time I am pregnant. :)

Well it is off for a fun-filled day for me. Lots of cute pictures and posts to come about my baby shower and birthday :)

Happy Birthday to Me!