Blessing #151 - My Mom's Superheroness

For as long as I can remember, my mom has had a super hero quality about her. It wasn't just that she worked full time, fed us,took care of the people in the church, and still managed to make me feel loved. It was that she really had a little bit of super hero in her. 

When I was about seven, I choked on a gumdrop. Being one who has always handled crisis well, I decided the best way to alert everyone I was choking was to run circles through our living room and kitchen. 

Did I hold my throat? No. Did I try to get anyone's attention? Nope. I just ran circles. My mom with her spidey senses looked at me and said, "I think she's choking!" After she caught me, she gave me the Heimlich and saved my live.

One day as we were driving to school, my mom took a normal turn  on our normal route only to find an out of control transfer truck barreling down the road right for us. The trucks brakes had failed and he moved into our lane to avoid a school bus. Like a seasoned race car driver, my mom swerved to miss the truck, but she made sure not to swerve too  much because there was a steep bank on our right. Somehow, she managed to do this all with one arm. Why did she only have one arm? She used her other arm as my second seat belt.

One of my clearest, earliest memories happened as my mom, my brother, and I were coming home from church.  I may mess up some of the details, but I'm sure my brother will clarify in the comments.  From what I remember, my brother somehow got his seat belt stuck in the door and that somehow opened the door.  The picture that was emblazoned in my memory is my brother hanging out as the car door was open, and my mom holding onto him with one arm, and driving with the other arm.  That's the moment I knew my mom was a superhero.

Apparently, superheroness is not genetic because I have slow reflexes. When I spill a drink, I usually stand there for ten seconds before my brain seems to process, "you have spilled a drink."However, I had an incident in Joanne's the other day that has me wondering.

Because he wants to be a big boy like Brandon, Collin absolutely hates the appearance of anything "baby."  Strollers? He is strapped in kicking and screaming. High chairs? Not a chance. Getting him into the front seat of a store buggy is like wrestling s bear.... a very loud bear. 

One day in Joanne's I was really tired  so I just let Collin ride in the buggy and not strapped in the seat part. As we were checking out, my happy little helper was placing items on the check out. In an instant, Collin reached a little too far, and fell out of the buggy... HEAD FIRST! 

Everyone collectively gasped, and when I realized what was going on there I was holding my two year old upside down an inch above the ground by one belt loop. I really don't know how I did it, but I caught him with one finger by one belt loop.

Once my heart started beating again, I looked at all the other women there and calmly said, "I caught him." One woman said, "Way to go Momma!" Sure, i was so stunned he was still hanging upside down ten seconds later, but I caught him. Collin was so stunned he couldn't even cry. I think he was just thinking,"What just happened?" Nah. Knowing Collin he was thinking, " Hey y'all there's still stuff in the buggy that needs to go on the checkout counter!" 

When it all calmed down, I thanked the Lord for protecting my little guy, and then I thought maybe I have a little of my mom's superheroness in me after all.

Note:  Happy birthday Mom! Hope you like this post, and don't worry ever since the Joaane's incident that screaming bear gets strapped in the seat of the buggy extra tight.

Blessing #149 - Smitten

Today's post is written by my dad! He's written a post before, and for this special day he had to write another post. The fact that he still celebrates this day is a big blessing to me.  

Smitten is an old English word. It is archaic, (no longer used) in most conversations. It has several meanings and the sentence structure determines the meaning. It can mean to hit somebody or something hard; to affect or afflict somebody; but the way I will use it will be to fill somebody with love. So this is a story about a heart smitten with love.

 I had known of Terry (her daddy wanted a boy so they spelled it with a y instead of an i) but had never really got to talk with her. It was at a party on the 25th , the last Saturday night in October 1969 that I got to really meet her. I don’t remember much about anybody or anything else at the party, for once I talked with her my heart was smitten.

 The moon was shining brightly and there was a light breeze in the air given the night an autumn feel about it. I still remember the wrap around blue and brown plaid jumper with the brown turtle neck shirt. The reason all this stood out was because her long brown, straight hair fell across her shoulders in such a way that it shined in the moon light. Her brown eyes sparkle in the night as she smiled with that one little freckle on her lower lip. Yes, I would say I was smitten.

 Later that night after her “friend” took her home, I drove passed by her house. The truth be known I made many trips by her house in the next few weeks in hope of seeing her outside. That was before I had ever heard of stalking. Stalking is a steady pursuit or a steady harassment. My heart was smitten so on my behalf it was a steady pursuit.

 At school I could not wait for the classes to change so I could just get a glimpse of her or to hear her voice as I said, Hello. With each passing day I knew more and more that I was smitten. This was all new territory for me. I did not know what to do. I did not know what I should do?

 Three weeks had passed and it was Friday. Parkwood High school was having a home football game and I knew she would be there. I had decided to tell her how I felt, but what if she did not feel the same way about me. I was so nervous that I was sick on my stomach. That night at the football game, I ask her to be my girlfriend.

 Here we are, after three years of dating, forty years of marriage, two children and six grandchildren we are back to November 14th. I remember this day each year. It stands out above all the other days. You may say, Bill, why is the 14th on November so special. It is because this is the day I found out, she was smitten too.


 

Blessing #145 - Collin Turns Two

To my Collin,

Colli Bear.  Colzi.  Colsters.  Colli.  Collinator.  Colzakistan....too far?

I can't even believe how much you have grown this past year.  When we took Brandon to the Choo-Choo Barn for his birthday, I realized just how much you had grown this year.

When we visited the Choo-Choo Barn just one year before, you couldn't walk and just sat quiet in the stroller drinking a bottle.  This year at the Choo-Choo Barn, you were running around pointing and yelling, "Shoo Shoo! Shoo Shoo!"

This year, you've have become a little boy, and a force to be reckoned with.  You are very orderly.   When you are done with a plate or cup, you put it in the sink.  When you find trash, you put it in the trash can.  When you leave the room, you cut off the television and cut off the lights.

You are so orderly, I have to laugh.  Your Mimi (my mom) is that way, and I've said over and over, "She is crazy."  I just didn't understand how her orderly mind worked.  Now, I think my free spirit is going to drive your orderly little mind crazy.  Ironically, I think you'll be saying, "She is crazy," a lot with me.

You are not a morning person.....at.....all.  You are such a grump in the morning. Oh my! You need about 30 minutes before you are up and at 'em.

You have a high pitch squeal that you will let out every so often.  I'm used to it, but one day, you let a particularly high ear drum shaking squeal loose in the grocery store.  One lady jumped and spent the next twenty seconds using every profanity under the sun.  She turned around and saw that it was you, and apologized repeatedly.  I told her I was sorry for giving her a heart attack, and you just smiled.

Your favorite song is Old MacDonald Had a Farm.  At random moments, I will hear you sing, "E-I-E-I-OOOOOO!" This week you added, "E-I-E-I-OOOOOO MaDonallllll!"

You love Chickfila.  Anytime we pass one, you recognize the sign and say, "See Olay! See Olay!" (That's your word for Chickfila.)

Most of the time you think Dannon (a.k.a. Brandon) is the best big brother ever, but sometimes we have to pull you off of him.  I used to worry about Brandon being rough on you, but you have shown that maybe we need to worry about you being rough on Brandon.

I tell you all that time that you are my sunshine, and you say back, "Shunshine."

Two years ago, God put you in my life.  I'm so amazed at the little boy you are becoming.  You're cute, sweet, and friendly (to selected people).  You are one of a kind and my little sunshine.  Thank you for all the joy you have brought into my life and our family.

I love you, and I can't wait to spend another year with you.

Mom or as you call me Ma-ee

31 Days {Day 29} Coffee Station

During Shad's birthday week, I made him a coffee station.  With the cold weather approaching, I knew he would love a nice place for his coffee in the morning.

I put the coffee station in the cabinet right above the Keurig, which we got at a thrift store for $5. Not....even.....kidding.

Here is the finished product....

Originally, I tried to make some cute coffee mugs, but it was a failure after the letters come off.



The K-cup holder is actually a spice rack I found at Goodwill for $2.  Originally, I tried a K-cup holder I found at Kohl's, but it was too big for the cabinet. The spice rack is perfect and it swivels.

 
The little basket is from Dollar Tree.  I put the label on "shadbucks." Inside is creamer, sugar, caramel syrup, and some chocolate powder.

He doesn't drink coffee every day, but when he does he loves how nice this looks.

31 Days {Day 5} Making Cleaning Pretty

I'm going to be very honest, I'm not a big fan of cleaning.  Don't get me wrong, I realize it is very important, and it is something that has to be done (just like a root canal), but I just don't enjoy it.  I procrastinate, and then fuss at myself for letting the job get too big.

My Mom is a different story. She loves to clean.  In fact, every time she cleans, her eyes kind of glaze over (but that could just be the bleach).

If you're like me though, and cleaning is not your favorite here is something I've found that helps.  Make cleaning pretty.  I know it sounds simple, but it has actually helped me to make cleaning more enjoyable.

It all started when our family began buying soaps for the seasons.  We wait for a good sale at Bath and Body Works, and make it a family event where we each pick a soap.

I'm sure you can guess which soap Brandon picked.

That small detail makes our home more homey, and it also makes Brandon wash his hands more.

Then when I started having problems with asthma, I had to be careful about the cleaners I used.  The natural cleaners come in such pretty bottles and they smell heavenly!  I love J.R. Watkins and Mrs. Meyers.

Do they work as good as a cleaner with bleach in it? No, but I don't wheeze when I use them.  If I have a tough stain on my counter top, I use a stronger cleaner, but for day to day cleaning they do great.

Once I realized that pretty made a difference in the whole cleaning experience, I went with it.

At at a Thirty One party, I got this cute little bag to store all of my cleaning supplies.  It looks cute in my pantry, and I carry it around the house with me as I clean.

My other favorite cleaning helper is also from Thirty One.  This is my laundry basket.  I use it to get folded laundry up the stairs....or it just sits full on my dryer for a few days.  But that's okay! It's pretty!

I love it! It's my little protest against laundry.  I'll do it, but I still don't like it.

Do I love cleaning now as much as my Mom? No. But these little details make the whole experience more enjoyable, and makes me love my home a little more.

If you've missed a day of 31 days to Love your Home you can catch up here.  

 

Blessing #137 - Dear 16 year old me,

Dear 16 year old me, 

Greetings from 30 year old Stephanie.  At almost double your age, I have lived an entire lifetime beyond you so I thought I'd take some time to tell you a few things.  

There are a few things in life that are still the same at 30 as they were at 16. First, you're still awesome. Just kidding, just kidding....okay, I'm not really kidding. 

As you can tell from this letter so far, you are still a little on the dorky side.

You still get all your clothes from Goodwill, but instead of clothes from the 60's and 70's you've moved up to the current decade.

At 30, you still love Frank Sinatra. For a 15 year old, you have great taste in music, The Backstreet Boys and Nsync will lose popularity, but Frank is timeless.

The “klumsy phase” that you are in never really goes away. It's just who you are. At least you learn to fall with style. (Not really, but I thought that would make you feel better.)

The strange rapid fire, machine gun sneeze that you have, well it never really goes away.

Enjoy the fact that it is still “cute” on you. At 30, it's not so cute. It's scares people.

You will never like change, but you learn to work with it.

You know how Mom says that when you have a house of your own, you are going to magically change and be a neat freak just like her? You won't! You are a naturally messy and unorganized. The part of your brain that makes you creative also makes you unorganized, but you find ways to help that work for you.

Your nerd quotient goes way down when you get lasik and lose your contacts and glasses, but don't get too excited.  It goes right back up when you have to carry an inhaler with you all the time.  

Now, here's a few tips and hints that will help you out along your way.

I know you were so proud of yourself when you got all your hair cut off, but please remember the name of the lady that did it.  She did a great job, but that's an easy hair cut to mess up. Trust me.

Don't ever get rid of the purple shirt that says “awesome” on it. At every 80's night event, you will wish you had it.

I know you hate to hear this because at 30 I still hate to hear this, but Mom is right about many things. When she says, “I think you're going to be a teacher someday,” don't laugh so hard, it will maker her, “I told you so,” a little easier.

For matters of love and the heart, Jenny, your sister by choice, has lots of insight. Listen to her. At just the right moment, she gives you some tough words but the best advice that you needed. Jenny is also a  breastfeeding GeNiUs! She is way better than any lactation consultant.  

I know you just said, "Gross" when you read the word"breastfeeding," but yes, you breastfeed because you birth two babies. Yes, you Stephanie Lankford do the impossible and birth a 9lb.9oz and later a 10lb. babies.

It's okay! Stop hyperventilating! Labor is not nearly as bad as you built it up in your head.  

I know middle school was hard, but there is really only one person that tries to bully you in high school. It's confusing because he's a teacher, and you are supposed to respect your elders, but just between you and me....he's a jerk. Let his threats and comments roll right off your back. He's just full of hot air.

There will come a day when Mom will tell you to call Papaw, no matter how crazy the day is, no matter what is going on, CALL HIM!

Be nice to everyone! The one girl that you are mean to in high school, ends up being the daughter of an important head of some organization that your job depends on. God has a serious sense of humor with you! Besides, you never know what people are going through, so be nice!

On that note, you know how everyone tells you, “After high school you won't ever know any of your friends.” I know this sounds crazy, but that's not true at all! You will not only know how your high school friends are doing, but you might just know what they had for lunch that day.

On your first day of college, a man will tell you, “I think you need to change your major.” He doesn't know anything about you. He doesn't even know your name. He is just making a judgement based on a test, and you are a horrible test taker. (Ironically, 30 year old Stephanie teaches a class on test taking.) Although, his words devastate you for a while, one day when you find your passion his words will be very funny.

At family get togethers you just sit in the corner passing time because you think they are boring. Get up! Give some hugs! Let Aunt Peggy kiss you on the cheeks! Make some memories. Those family get togethers end way to soon, and just when you are old enough to realize how awesome your aunts and uncles are, many of them are taken out of your life.

I know you absolutely hate to write, but writing really helps you process through things. Trust me. As crazy as it sounds, some day you will write for fun.

Trust your instinct.  That "feeling" you have about a situation or someone is usually right.

There will come a day when you become more focused on how you look from the outside than what is in your heart. You will change your clothes, and so much about you just so that people that aren't important will think you are “good.” I hate to break it to you, but you will never be a meek and quiet wallflower. You will only make yourself miserable trying. Don't worry though. It takes a while but you get back to your old crazy quirky self.

God doesn't need perfect. God loves to use broken things.  

Someday, God is going to surprise you when He doesn't fit inside the box you made for him. Once you realize He's bigger than your box, you will only love Him more.

I know you've been patiently reading, but I know you too well. I know, you have one question on your mind. So here it is, yes, your husband is hot!

Shine bright,
Thirty Year Old Stephanie

I wrote this letter to my 16 year old self to celebrate in the release of Emily Freeman's new book Graceful. Emily is a long time youth pastor's wife, and she wrote this book just for teenage girls.  I read the adult version of this book called Grace for the Good Girl and loved it.  You can head over to Chatting at the Sky to read other Dear Me, letters.  

 

Curse #46 - What Happens When I Try to Get Out of the House

When Brandon started school, I'm not going to lie, one of the things I was looking forward to was getting out more.  With just one child it should be easy for me to meet with friends and such....or so I thought.

Yesterday, for my first post-school outing, I met a friend at Chickfila to brainstorm for a project.  A simple trip, but this is what happens when I try to get out of the house.

1. As I was walking out the door I grabbed a pair of shoes for Collin.  When we got to Chickfila, I went to put on Colli's shoes, but the shoes were not there. I have no idea how they did not make it to the car. Something must have distracted me somewhere in the 30 steps from his room to the van.  So my Collin ran into Chickfila barefooted.  Yes, we brought the country back to Chickfila.  "You'd better redneckognize!" (Sorry, I know that was kind of random, but I've been looking for any chance to throw in a Honey Boo Boo reference on the blog.)

2. As the boys played, my friend and I brainstormed and took copious notes.  In a truly brilliant moment,  I knocked over my drink, and the straw poked a hole in the bottom of the fragile styrofoam cup. Diet Dr. Pepper spewed everywhere ruining my copious notes.

Now, I am not known for my fast reflexes, but I actually thought fast and dumped the bag out that I had with me.  Knowing that the inside of the bag was wipe-able, I threw in the cup and ran it to the trash can.  I threw the cup in the trash, shook out the Diet Dr. Pepper in the bag, and wiped out the bag. Easy peasy.  How smart was I?

Apparently, not too smart because I missed this sign outside of the play place.

3. As my friend and I were leaving, I went to grab my keys...only I could not find them.  I retraced my steps, and soon realized that my keys were in the trash.  When I shook the Diet Dr. Pepper out of my bag, I also shook my keys out that were in the outside pockets.  Not so easy peasy.  I tried to see if my keys were on top,  but the lunch rush had started and the trash can was full.

Another one of my friends just happened to be in Chickfila,  and just happened to be sitting right next to the trash can.  When I explained why I was hovering around the trash can, being a good friend, she said, "It happens to the best of us." And I quickly replied, "But it seems to happen to me a lot!"

Absolutely embarrassed, I told one of the Chickfila workers, "I think my keys are in your trash can."  I just wanted to find a place where I could discretely look through the trash can.  I really didn't think any of the people in the Chickfila wanted to see me digging through the trash as they ate their nuggets.

The very nice Chickfila workers told me, "Miss, you go sit down and we'll look and bring your keys to you." I felt terrible, "No, you can't do that! I messed up, and I will fix it," but they were persistent and had me sit down.  A few minutes later, one of the great Chickfila employees brought my keys to me. She even sanitized them for me!

Chickfila just got itself an even more loyal customer.

Yes, that is what I get for trying to get out of the house! A simple trip to Chickfila turns into a chaotic event.....chaotic and memorable.  Thankfully, my friend was very patient and my new Chickfila friends were very kind.

P.S. My new Chickfila friends are trying to get to 900 likes on Facebook.  They would love it if you went over and liked them.  
  

Blessing #133 - The All Vegetable Meal



As a kid, I was a very picky eater, and every summer I dreaded one meal...the all vegetable meal. 

The people of Ridgeway Baptist Church really believed in taking care of their pastor's family, and in the summer taking care of the pastor's family meant sharing from their gardens.....much to my dismay. 

When I saw Elmer O'Kelley riding his bike down our driveway with a bag of squash hanging of his bicycle, I knew the all vegetable meal was coming. (Elmer didn't have a car or electricity.  He was off the grid before it was cool.)  Often we would find a bag of green beans from Jimmy Cheek's garden on our front porch, my parents would smile and say things like, "We're gonna be eating good tonight."  I had to hold back my gag reflex as I felt the all vegetable meal approaching. 

Soon after, my mom would take all the vegetables, make some cornbread, and call it a feast. As the picky eater, I lived off of cantelope at that meal.  As they savored every bite, my parents would reminisce about all the vegetables in my grandpa's garden, all the green beans my great-grandma used to can, and all the corn my mom would eat as a kid.

I thought they were crazy, what was the big deal.  Didn't the grocery store sell squash and cucumbers for just a few dollars?

Now, as an adult, I'm not nearly as picky, and I finally get it.  Fresh garden vegetables do taste different.  Maybe it's the freshness or all the time and attention they get, but something about a fresh squash, tomato, or cucumber just tastes like summer.  Now that I have a garden, I know how much care and time goes into planting and growing a garden.  Now, I know how valuable those gifts were on our front porch from the givers.   Now, I say things like, "We're gonna be eating good tonight," as I make my all vegetable meal....except for the cornbread I still don't like cornbread.

Curse #34 - Being Sick

I have been sick a lot lately, and by “a lot” I mean four times in the past four months. If you do the math, I’m averaging getting sick once a month.

This wouldn’t be so bad if I was a good sick person, the kind of person that can push through and keep going. However, I’m a terrible sick person…one of the world’s worst. When I am sick….

1. I sit on the couch most of the day unable to move.

2. I call my mom to inform her how bad I feel.

3. When Shad comes home, I greet him with the warm welcome of, “I feel like poop.”

4. When Shad gets tired of me saying how bad I feel, and my mom stops answering my calls, I resort to telling the world of facebook just how bad I feel.

5. When people stop liking my status of "I feel terrible", I move on to blog about how bad I feel. (Social networking can be scary in the wrong hands.)

When I’m sick it’s hard on me and everyone around me.

In December, my general doctor ran some basic blood work to see what could be causing me to get this sick all the time. She is a very cautious doctor, but I like that about her. Much to my surprise , I tested positive for lupus. She assured me that this test (ANA test) is known for giving false positives and she told me they would run it again. But the second time showed the same results.

Honestly, I didn’t know very much about lupus. In fact, I knew exactly three facts about lupus.

1. I have a friend on facebook that has it
2. It’s genetic
3. My parents knew a woman that passed away with it a long time ago.

That #3 fact wasn’t the most comforting fact to know. In fact, the #3 fact really was freaking me out!

When I called Shad (who was also sick at the time) to tell him, his response was, “Do you think that’s what me and the boys have.”

One thing you must know about my husband is that sometimes, he can be a hypochondriac. For example, every time his leg hurts he thinks it’s a blood clot because of an episode of Mythbusters he saw 6 years ago (that’s why he’s not allowed to watch the talk show The Doctors or see the movie Contagion).

As soon as he said that, I said, “Are you kidding me?” and hung up on him. (Why no? None of my friends have ever asked me for marriage advice. Why do you ask?)

Anyway, later (after I apologized for hanging up on him) I realized that he genuinely knew NOTHING about lupus. He thought you could catch it like mono. After I shared the facts that I knew about it (except for #3), he understood better.

Oh yeah! If I haven’t mentioned it yet, I got these results just a week or two before Christmas…”Merry Stinkin’ Christmas. You might have a chronic illness…Fa la la la la, la la la la “

I’ve tried to keep a level head about this because lupus is complicated to diagnose and is commonly misdiagnosed. A positive ANA test is only the first step in a diagnosis. Soon, I will be going to a rheumatologists to do more testing.

There are also many factors that could give the ANA test a misreading. I had a virus when I took the test and that can give you a false reading.

My pulmonary doctor (who I will have to blog about on another day) said that my chest x-ray and breathing tests do not look like someone with lupus. It looks more like asthma. I was actually excited when he told me this. I never thought I would say, “Yeah! I have asthma!” However, since then I’ve gotten sick two more times, and I’m losing confidence that it’s just asthma.

Lupus or not, I just need to figure out what’s going on with me. Being sick just isn’t working for me or my family.

If you would like to pray for me, please pray that I find a really smart, really great rheumatologist that can help me sort through all this. Oh, and I’m sure my mom and Shad would ask that you pray for them too.

update: several months later, I discovered I was allergic to milk.  This allergy affects my immune system which made the ANA test read so high.

Blessing #96 - My {dream} pantry

For a while now, one of the items on my "dream house" list is a good pantry. When we moved into the new house, I was thrilled to find that it had a pantry. Sure, it doesn't have a dishwasher (I've mentioned that a bunch lately haven't I), but it has a pantry!

I was so excited, but the pantry looked like this...



Random hooks sticking out alongside of mysterious chords running to a non-functioning antenna and shelves with fruity/flowerdy shelf paper.



Not like the pantries on my pinterest boards.



These pictures were taken right after we moved in, and I had just thrown a box of pantry items on the shelves in no particular order. (Yes, that is the box of cream of wheat from 2006 that I found in a cabinet.)

Originally, I did not plan on working on this project until after Christmas, but then I started to clean out the pantry, and I thought, "I might as well clean it to paint it." The next thing I knew, I had ripped all the shelves out and was stripping off the shelf paper.

One week of naptimes later, and my pantry looks like this...



I loOoOoOoOoOve the chalkboard. I could have made it look pretty for the picture, but right now, it's helping me keep all of our appointments straight. Eventually, this may be a calendar center, or I might put empty frames up and draw pictures inside them. I haven't settled on that yet.

The walls are "pebble gray" and the shelves and trim are a bright white. I thought about stenciling a pattern on the walls, but I was too tired by the time I got there. I did put some wrapping paper up at the back of the shelves to give it some interest for now.



This weekend, I spray painted the old hooks that were in the closet, and used them to hang some buckets. 1 is for chalk, 2 is for chip clips, and 3...I have no idea why I didn't get 3 buckets. I'll have to go back and get another one. I used an old clip board we had, fancied it up, and put it in the pantry. The idea is to write down what we need as we run out. First item on that list...paper for the clipboard.


(Sorry, I don't know why the picture is a weird color.)


The first step in my pantry makeover was cleaning and painting. Then I had to organize all the shelves. Organization does not come naturally for me. I have always been a more "creative" person than I am an "organized" person, but I am getting better.

I have learned that for me to keep stuff organized I need to containerize everything. I categorize like things and then throw them in a bin. The shelf stays organized and all I have to do is throw stuff in a bin.



All the water bottles are in the apple crate on the bottom shelf. It's not in this picture, but I use the space under these shelves to store Collin's high chair.

On the left side, I put breakfast on the top shelf, snacks on the second, canned goods and pasta on the third, and baking items on the bottom. (B can't reach the top two shelves that's why I put snacks and breakfast up there.)



One of the major problems with this pantry is the shelves are so deep tons of space is wasted. I decided to put all the pretty stuff in the front, and use the containers like cabinet doors to cover up the ugly stuff. Here is a shelf with a container pulled out.



I got all of those containers from the Dollar Tree! I spent $25 for all the blue cereal holders and the white crates in that pantry. It was soOoOoOoO well worth it. Shad is kind of neurotic about chips, cereal, and crackers staying fresh. He folds down the bag and then turns it on its side in the box. I never remembered to do that, and it always bugged him. Eight years into our marriage, $25 spent at the Dollar Tree, and we have finally settled that marital argument!



My vinyl cutter is currently out of commission (a very important piece got lost in the move), so I haven't made any labels for everything yet. While at JoAnne's, I picked up a pack of stickers to see what that would look like. I actually liked the kind of crazy look I got. I just ran out of stickers.



After my pantry makeover, I haven't closed the pantry door. I just leave it open, so I can enjoy my dream pantry.





Merry Christmas to me!

I'll be sharing this project with some of these wonderful sites.

Blessing #91- Collin's 1st Birthday!

Colli Bear,



First, I need to apologize for your nickname from me. I know it’s not the manliest nickname, and I realize that Colli is a breed of dog, but sometimes nicknames just happen. It started as Cozzi Bear, which I took from Fozzi Bear. In case you grow up in a world with no Fozzi Bear (that would be just sad), Fozzi Bear is a bear that is also an aspiring stand up comedian. Oh! And he’s a puppet too. (Wacka wacka)

Anyway, Cozzi Bear became Colli Bear, and many times, I just leave off the Bear and call you Colli. Again, I apologize, but sometimes nicknames just happen.

Note: This excuse will not work if for some reason, someday, you decide to call me “big mama.”

This first year with you has been absolutely magical. There are so many things I could tell you.

How your dad and I didn’t know what to do with such a good baby.

How you love your alligator.

How you give the best hugs ever.

How you eat like a horse.

How you learned to walk and climb in the same week.

How we are convinced you can sing “Happy Birthday” (seriously, you do).

But today, I want to tell you about my favorite moment of your first year - your first thirty seconds in the world.

Right after you were born, the doctor placed you (still screaming) on my chest.

Now, you must know before this moment, I had been nervous. I had no idea how in the world I was going to have enough love for you. I know that sounds strange, but my heart seemed so full already with Shad and Brandon. How in the world would I have enough love for another baby? I even worried about how I had been too busy to read you stories or think about you constantly when I was pregnant. I felt like I was failing even before you were born.

However, all those fears and worries vanished the second the doctor placed you on my chest. You stopped crying, and looked up at me with your sweet little eyes. Through my tears I said, “There’s my Collin. “ When I saw you, it was as if I had always known you. Like you were always meant to be with me, and in an instant I was head over heels in love with you.

I like to think there has always been a spot in my heart marked “Collin.” I just didn’t know it, but the second I saw your sweet little eyes (and chubby cheeks), you opened the part of my heart always meant for “Collin” and unlocked the love reserved just for you.

Okay, I know I’m being sappy, but that moment I met you was one of the most powerful moments of my life.

1 year ago today, you changed my life for the better. 1 year ago today, you made me a better mom and person. I love you, and can’t wait to see the surprises you have in store!

Happy Birthday Colli Bear!

Blessing #88 - The Birthday Fanatic

I don't know if I mentioned this enough around my birthday, but I am a birthday fanatic not jut for my birthday, but the birthdays of Shad and my boys. Eight years ago, shortly after we were married, Shad celebrated a birthday. While he was at work, I decorated our living room up with every party supply the Dollar Tree had to offer including a banner that said "Feliz Cumpleanos" which, for some reason, I thought was hilarious. (Wow, that was a long sentence.)

When Shad got home, he opened the door, stood stunned in the doorway, and I believe said, "It just my birthday." I then went on to lecture him about how wonderful birthdays are, and how birthday are days set aside to let someone know you love them. I think I kept repeating, "JUST YOUR BIRTHDAY?" over and over again.



Eighty years later, Shad no longer believes it's "just a birthday." Shad loves his birthday almost as much as I love mine...almost.

It started last month when Shad reminded me several times during B's birthday week, "My birthday's next!" Over the past few weeks, he has been dropping hints like crazy...

Do you remember those bottle sodas at Bill and Kelly's wedding. I would love to have those during my birthday week. You know Cracker Barrel sells those.

Stephanie, I'm so glad you won a $25 Goodwill gift card...my birthday's coming up!

I liked your blog post about the Crumpton Auction. I would love to go their for my birthday.

Is this the same man that thought I was crazy eight years ago for hanging a few streamers? Now, this same man reminds me daily of his upcoming birthday. Have I created this birthday fanatic...birthday monster?

Next week, we will celebrate Shad's birthday week, and I'm sure he will milk that for all it's worth. It wouldn't be so bad, but I'm know someone else will start reminding me...



My birthday's next!