Day 19: My momma

I feel like the closer that I get to Motherhood, the more that I understand and appreciate my own mother.

Growing up, my momma stayed at home and raised both my sister and I.  And that has been her job my whole life, being a mother.  I don't think that we always made her job very easy; between the emotions and hormones and those horrible High School years, there have been a few disagreements and arguments over the years (to say the least).  But, my mother's love has never failed.  Somehow, my mom, sister, and I have managed to come out on the other side, into adulthood, and have more love and respect for one another than ever before.

Over the past six months, it has been an absolute delight to see my mom gracefully ease into the role of being a grandmother.  Since my sister has gone back to work, my mom has been helping in taking care of little Ira.  All of the wonderful "mom qualities" that we took for granted while growing up has made both my sister and I even more appreciative and proud.  I honestly don't know if there is a better person to watch our children.  Besides making sure that Ira is super safe, she constantly talks about how he is growing and how much she loves him and beams with pride at every little thing that he does.  I know that my mom was always proud of us but her pride and love for her grandchildren (including the one not even born) is probably more than we could have ever asked for.  

There are moments when I get extremely nervous about this Road to Motherhood that I am on.  I really have no idea what I am getting myself into, and like I told Joe the other night, the thought of those Junior High and High School years scares the crap out of me.  But, I know that if I love and take care of my child anywhere near as much and as well as my mom did, we will be okay.

Thank you, Mom, for all of your love and support.  I would not be the woman that I am today without your support and guidance.  I am truly grateful for you.     

   

Day 14- Our house that is becoming a home

I promise that I have been doing my "gratitudes" daily but life has *happily* taken a turn for the busier since Hubs is finally out of the field and there hasn't been a whole lot of time to blog every day.

I have been dying to write this post but wanted to wait until things were just right.  When we first moved into our new little two bedroom townhouse, I was beyond nervous.  At first, that nervousness stemmed from the fact that I didn't know where we were going to put everything (I still don't know where to put everything; there is a whole bunch of stuff being stored in our garage).  But, when the day finally came for us to sign the paperwork on our lease, that nervousness grew because I had no idea how I was going to turn THIS house into a home.  The house is not horrible but there are quite a few features in it that are dated and I'm not going to lie, I may have shed a few tears in the bathroom on that first day. 

One thing that I have learned over the years is that with a little bit of elbow grease, pretty much any house can become a home.  I learned this one from my sister who moved out at 18 and even being the poor college student that she was, managed to scrounge up some change, bought a can of paint, and made improvements to her little home. 

So, this has been my project over the past few weeks.  Painting and hanging pictures and doing my best to make this place our little safe haven in a town that still feels foreign.  There is still plenty that I need to work on but it is slowly coming together and we are beginning to love our quaint little home.  

Living room: First day

Living room: Still plain but with a bit of life to it

 

I absolutely love the way that this color came out.  AND it's called, Cajun Red!  What's not to love?!?!

Living room currently.  I still want something to hang over the sofa (the mirror that I had in mind is falling apart :( )  and I still want to get curtains.  So, yes, a work in progress but I am loving the changes already.

Dining Room: First day

Dining Room: Pre-paint

Dining room with a splash of Cajun Red :)  I think that this has become one of my favorite spots in the house.  I love the way that it came out.

 

Oh man... Our bedroom... with awkwardly placed windows, dated closet doors... the whole thing kind of made me sad...

Our sad little room.  Neither Joe nor I have ever had a matching bedroom set, so our bedroom has been made up of mix and match pieces over the past year. 

As much as I love my warm colors, for the bedroom I wanted something a bit more peaceful and calming.  I went with a grey (I can't remember the name, it's obviously not as cool as Cajun Red) and I have truly loved it!

I don't know if it's because I am pregnant and my husband is feeling more love for me, but SOMEHOW I convinced him that it was time for us to get a grown-up bedroom set.  It took us a while to figure out how to get it situated in our awkwardly shaped room but we managed.  I am absolutely in love with our room now.  It has made SUCH a difference!  There are still a couple of things that I would like to add to the room but for now, it is perfect.  :)

Our little home!  It's nothing major but it certainly is feeling more like a place where we will be happy for the next couple of years... and for that, I am grateful!

Day 7: Another Day

With each day, we are given a new opportunity.  Each morning brings a clean slate, another chance to laugh, another chance to love, and another chance to embrace fleeting moments.

Today, that is what I am thankful for.

My life is far from perfect and yesterday was one of those pretty imperfect days.  But, this morning I made a choice.  I chose to let the grayness from yesterday slip away and decided to bask in the sunshine of today.

This decision was not entirely easy.  Nothing has changed since yesterday.  My hubby is still gone and working in the field.  All of my family and friends are still clear across the country.  And, I'm still me... emotional and pregnant and dealing with the same things that I deal with daily.

But, instead of dwelling on that, I decided to put a smile in my heart and on my face, got dressed up, put on heels (something totally incredible because this has not happened in approximately four months), drove an hour and a half, jamming to Michael Jackson all the way (don't judge!), and treated myself to two hours of nerd, craft Heaven at the nearest Hobby Lobby.  Nothing major but it made today a pretty good day.

I know that life is fragile and I don't take these days that I am given for granted.  But isn't it reassuring to know that when a bad day does arrive, all you gotta do is put your big girl panties on, survive that shitty day, and then hope that you can try again tomorrow???

For me, it is.  And I'm thankful for that. 

Day 6: The Dobs

Today, I am... having a really hard day.

I was pleasantly surprised last night with a short visit from my Hubs but found it especially hard this morning when he had to leave again. I am really having a difficult time getting adjusted and even though most days are okay, some days are incredibly lonely.

That is why, today, I feel especially grateful for Dobby. Our little four legged friend has become much more than a pet but a true member of our family. He always knows when momma needs extra love, is on constant guard when Dad is away, and keeps me laughing when I feel like crying. I think he knows how much we love him and are grateful for him... He does have a pretty fabulous life! :)

Days 3 and 4: Two ladies and some babies :)

I sat down to write last night and my poor, preggo brain could not spit anything out.  So, this morning I am playing catch up and am grateful for two pretty amazing women in my life: my sweet sister and my bestie.  These two women could not be more different but despite their differences they bring joy and balance to my crazy world. 

I feel incredibly blessed that God gave me a little sister soooooo many years ago (notice all of the oooo's??? We are getting old! ;).  I think that the bond between sisters is one unlike any other.  The relationship of a sister is a combination of love, friendship, loyalty, and the inexplicable fact that no one knows you as much as this girl does.

We don't always agree but we somehow manage to listen to what the other has to say and usually walk away learning something new.  She has been right by side through nearly 25 years of my life and I don't know what I'd do without her.  And, to top it all off, she has given me the sweetest little gift ever, my precious godchild.  I was there the day that he was born and even though I am now seeing him grow up in pictures and through Skype, I feel as much love for that kiddo as I do for the little bean growing inside of me.  It's a wonderful feeling.   

Now, onto my second lady today, my sweet bestie, J.  We've been friends for nearly five years and she has taught me the true meaning of friendship.  She has stood by my side through some of the best times in my life, as well as the worst.  We have watched countless episodes of SATC and Gossip Girl, shared bottles and bottles... and bottles... of wine, and have laughed and cried together (sometimes doing both at the same time).  She introduced me to the man that is my husband and I thank the Lord for that each and every day.  And, to top it all off, we are also pregnant together, something that we both prayed for, were both unsure would happen, and celebrated with a cupcake when we found out!  I am truly grateful that she is in my life.

I love these two women very much.  When I moved, I couldn't help but worry that with both of them in the deep South and me all the way in Cali Land, our bonds would be strained.  They have both gotten me through some of the hardest moments of this move with texts and hour-long phone conversations.  I feel like I have not missed a single moment of their lives, nor they with mine.  Thank you, my girls.  I love you both dearly.   

My sweet seestur.  Best friends from the beginning.

Now, seriously, is that not the cutest baby you've ever seen?!?!?  Love him so freakin much!!!

The two besties: Pre-Preggo... Champagne in red Solo cups??? Yup!  That's how we roll!

Preggo besties!  Can't wait for our babies so that they can be besties too! :)

  

Day 2: Baby D

Today, we have finally reached Week 15 of this pregnancy and I am beyond the moon and over the stars grateful for the sweet little baby that is growing inside of me and for the fact that we have made it this far.

I don't think that I could ever take for granted this sweet miracle that has happened to us.  For years, I questioned if becoming a mommy was ever going to happen naturally for me.  Even with this question in my mind, Joe still married me knowing that it could be a problem for us (Reason #5,389 on why I adore my husband).  It blows my mind that just a few short months ago, I was praying and praying that God would let it happen, getting frustrated every month that it didn't... and now, here we are.  I know that many women are in the exact same boat: waiting for that stupid stork to arrive, waiting for their little miracle, and waiting for that one, happy, and joyful day when the hundredth pregnancy test finally comes out positive... and to these women, I promise, I have not taken a moment of this for granted.

I have not taken it for granted but this doesn't mean that it has been entirely easy.  I am so grateful for Week 15 (and this glorious time period that is known as the Second Trimester) because I finally feel like I am beginning to enjoy this pregnancy.  I'm sorry but when you are puking your guts at any given moment, walking around like a zombie because of exhaustion, having your face resort back to those lovely Junior High years when you could play connect the dots with your zits, and you (and your husband, because he is along for this ride whether he likes it or not) are dealing with the roller coaster ride that would be your emotions... well, there's not a whole lot to enjoy.

I finally feel like things have calmed down.  I haven't been sick in about a month, my energy has returned and I've been able to enjoy daily power walks, my face has cleared up, and low and behold, my sweet emotions are seeming to level out (there have been a few meltdowns, I'm still pregnant, but things seem to be getting easier).  Also, I am loving my growing belly, something I never thought would cross my mind, because it means that my sweet baby is growing.  Things have definitely gotten a lot smoother!

When looking for a quote to end today's post, I found the following from Peter Pan and absolutely adored the image that it created in my mind and had to share.  Today, I feel incredibly grateful for our sweet baby and await the many blessings that are yet to come.  Happy Friday :)

 

“When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies.” ― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

 

 

15 week bump pic... done a couple of days early because I wanted a Halloween shot!  Also, I had to resort to the ole self-pic-mirror-trick because Hubs is still in the field but at least it gets the job done! :)

 

Challenge: A Month of Thanks... Day 1

This morning while perusing through FB (a horrible habit that has gone into overdrive since we moved to Cali and I have lots more time on my hands), I saw that one of my very good friends, Ms. L. C., was taking this month to give thanks each and every day.  I couldn't help but stop, take notice, and think, Heck yeah... I'm jumping on that band wagon!

I'm naturally a negative person.  When asked if the wine glass is half full or half empty, my response would be, "Half empty!  Now pour me some more wine, dammit!" 

This is not one of my better traits.

It is, however, something that I have honestly been working on for the majority of my adult life.  Luckily, I married an eternal optimist who always thinks that the glass is half full and is usually kind enough to point out to me that at least there is half of a glass of wine to drink.

My pessimism, along with my FB addiction, have both been factors that I've been struggling with during this move.  When feeling kind of low, it's super easy to just plop onto the couch and think, "Geez! Everything sucks!"  And even though every day seems to be getting a little bit easier and life is slowly getting brighter again, this is the perfect time for me to accept a new Challenge (and, Dear Reader, I offer this challenge to you, as well). 

Every day for the next month, I will find at least one thing to be thankful for.  This is not an original idea but  it is one that will hopefully, on even the crappiest of days, help to shine a little bit of light.

I will share mine here, obviously, but I challenge you to write yours down as well.  Even if you aren't a blogger or a FB addict, like myself, write your gratitude down in your journal, on the notepad that you keep on the fridge, on your bathroom mirror, anywhere that you like...but make sure to write it somewhere for you to see and be reminded of all of the great and wonderful things in your life. 

So, for today's thanks...

Like I have mentioned in earlier posts, my life has quieted down quite a bit since we've been here and there have been some very lonely moments.  When Joe started this new work rotation, we had no idea what to expect.  All that we knew was that he would be out in the field for a little over two weeks and he had absolutely no idea if he'd be able to come home at all during that period.

Now, look, I know that two weeks is absolutely nothing.  I have a friend in Killeen whose husband is also in the army and is doing out of state training for months.  Joe and I have also had the lovely experiences of him deploying for months and months... and months.  So two weeks is NOTHING.  But, man-oh-man, being in a place that is still new and foreign and not knowing a soul... it sounded like forever to me. 

We have gone through nearly a week of him being on this rotation and much to our pleasant surprise, he has already been able to come home twice. 

I am so grateful that he has been able to come home but today, I am especially thankful for unexpected, sweet and wonderful surprises that Life delivers us when we need them the most.  I think that these little surprises are exactly what we need to get through the rough patches.  His surprise visits home have been exactly what I needed to keep my soul lifted this week and I feel so grateful for it!