Write for Charity

This morning, I received an email from Beth Davis with Write for Charity.  I have been racking my brain trying to put together a post that does this organization justice.  Then I decided Beth's email to me might be the perfect way to convey her message:

Hello there! 

I came across your blog this morning and I was hoping that you might be able to help me.  I am working with a group of fundraisers on an anthology of short stories and poetry all centered on the topic of parenting.  We are currently in our last month of our call for submissions and, although we have a lot of great material, we would like to make sure that we have the best content to choose from.  Funds from the sale of this book will be going to children’s charities. 

If you can, please take a minute to visit the Write for Charity website at www.writeforcharity.com or view our press release here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb3730484.htm. 

If you would be interested in writing a short piece, it would be truly appreciated.  We would also love it if you could include our “Call for Submissions” on your site to give your readers an idea of what we are doing.  We would be happy to include a link to your site on our page as well.  With parents, particularly moms, being our target for this anthology, I think you would be a valuable contributor to our anthology. 

Thank you very much for your time. 

There you have it.  I am honored to have a chance to be a part of this organization and I hope you will join me in Beth's "Call for Submissions".  I just submitted my piece to Write for Charity and am truly excited at the possibility to be a part of the book that will be up for sale to help raise money for children's charities.  Please go to the website and learn more about how to get involved.  Even if you don't want to submit a piece, at least consider buying the book.  But it would be FABULOUS if you did both!  You can also follow Write for Charity on Twitter to find out the latest and greatest:  @WriteforCharity

By the way, if you'd like to read the piece I submitted, here ya go:  My Ball of Fire

My Writing Assignment

I was tagged. Again. At least Jes @ Exposing the Drapes to My 20s gives me something to blog about, huh?! ;) Anyhow, it's a little different.

Here are the rules:

Answer the following questions, but write them down. Snap a picture and then post it!

1. Name/Blog Name

2. Right Handed, Left Handed or Both

3. Favorite Letters to Write

4. Least Favorite Letters to Write

5. Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

6. Write in Caps:

CRAB

HUMOR

KALEIDOSCOPE

PAJAMAS

GAZILLION

7. Favorite Song Lyrics

8. Tag 5 People

9. Any special note or drawing

Introducing Around the Town on Tuesdays Blog Hop!

Take out your cameras and put on your walking shoes!  Jes @ Exposing the Drapes to My 20’s and I are thrilled to introduce to you our very own blog hop, Around the Town on Tuesdays!  In honor of our readers and the arrival of spring, we would love to see where you live, learn about your town and experience it all through your eyes and your words.  This is a great opportunity for all of us to step away from the computer and get out into our communities as well as to connect as bloggers by undergoing a journey through one another’s towns without ever leaving our very own. Think of it - a glimpse back into history, inspiration to try something new, or just plain fun!  Our hope is that you’ll just enjoy it and learn something about one another.

Enough rambling and on to the details.....

Since this blog hop will require a little footwork (hence, the need for your walking shoes) Jes & I are implementing Around the Town on Tuesdays biweekly.  This will give us all two full weeks to get out into our towns and prepare our posts.  We can change this in the future if this proves to be a success and not too difficult for a weekly blog hop.  For each post, we will give you a subject to compose your post around (i.e. best food in town, farmers’ markets, bakeries, etc.).  

There are a few guidelines, however.  This post must be authentic and personal.  We don’t really want to read what Wikipedia says about your town.  We want to know what YOU think and feel about your town.  And again, this is about stepping out into our communities and experiencing something and helping others experience it with us.  Googling it won’t really have the same effect.  But Google and Wikipedia can help you out a little with facts about your town & its history should you need it.  Just don’t make this a book report.  It is understandable that you can’t always get out and take recent pictures.  After all, we all have lives outside of the blogging world.  Therefore, past pictures may be used in your post as long as they are, in fact, your pictures.    

The first official day of the blog hop will be Tuesday, April 6th, 2010.  We’re going to keep the subject matter simple and general for our first post.  Therefore, our first post will be Town Introductions.  Where do you live?  What is your town known for?  When was your town established?  Maybe include a picture of your town square, city hall, the town’s sign, etc.  Your post can be as long or as short as you choose.  MckLinky will be up and going at 5:00AM CST on post day and will shut down at midnight.  Please post the Around the Town on Tuesdays badge somewhere in your post which can be found on the Around the Town on Tuesdays page (click the logo on the left sidebar) linking back to One Mom’s Perfect Imperfection.  A copy of this post will also be included on the blog hop page for you to have at your leisure.  

For future reference, I will have a schedule posted on my sidebar with dates for each blog hop post as well as the subject matter for said dates.  This schedule will be updated regularly.  We hope this will help those of you that like to prepare in advance.  Please email me with any questions and please, please, please get excited about this because Jes and I are stoked about the birth of this blog hop!  It’s unique, educational in its own way and should be loads of fun!  So join us every other Tuesday, won't you?!

RIP, Big Bertha

With a heavy heart, I am sad to inform you all that Big Bertha has been laid to rest.  At least for now.  Big Bertha was my old vintage sewing machine that my mother-in-law passed down to me.  My husband took it apart, pulled out all the dust, oiled the gears and was very excited to only find one worn part in the entire machine.  However, that one worn part proved to be a big problem.  We haven't completely given up on trying to find that part or a manual for Big Bertha but the truth is that we're having some trouble finding any information about her at all.  So for now she is out of commission.  *tear*

But now I'd like to introduce you to Sally, my new Singer 2236 sewing machine!  Ain't she a beauty?  All white, sleek and shiny....

This is the part I really like.  "SIMPLE".  She is beginner friendly.

She has 23 built-in stitches and an automatic threader.

I also LOVE that it comes with an instruction manual as well as a quickstart DVD.

And accessories.  A girl always loves her accessories...

I've got big plans for this new addition to my craft family.  I hope to share some of my projects real soon. 


On another note, you may have noticed a new link on the left sidebar to my new blog hop.  Come back tomorrow for all the details!


Happy Monday to you all.  Be crafty!

A Touch of Spirituality

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."  Titus 3:5

Saturday Morning Comedy

For my bloggy pal, Jes....

Photo Tag

Good morning, everyone and happy Friday to you! A couple of days ago, I was tagged by Heidi, author of the blog From 3 to 5 in a round of photo tag. She's a delight! Stop by and show her some love. The idea is to go to your first picture folder and post the tenth photo in that folder, giving the story behind the photo. So here's my tenth picture in my first folder. I think I actually have older ones tucked away in my archives, but here we go....

This is Keegan just days after he was born. He was fussing a bit in this picture and we couldn't help ourselves. Being new parents we snapped pictures of every mood, every sneeze, everything. But I think he was hungry when we snapped this one. Nice of us to snap pictures of our kid while he's crying instead of feeding him, huh?! Hard to believe this was almost 4 1/2 years ago. *sigh*

Now, I am to tag 5 more bloggy friends to do the same.

1. Jes @ Exposing the Drapes to My 20s

2. Christina @ Pooh's Corner

3. Ginna @ The Abbey Family

4. Molly @ The Snyder 5

5. malmal @ mal mal's thoughts and such

Have fun with it!

Before & After Blog Hop

This is my first go at a blog hop and I'm pretty excited to jump - err, hop in. So the idea is to show a straight out of the camera (SOOC) shot:

And then show my edited shot. I edited this picture in Photoshop Elements 8. I tinted it with sepia and adjusted the opacity so there was still a bit of color present. I also minimally adjusted the sharpness.

To see more Before & After photos, or to jump - err, hop into the blog hop yourself go to Pixel Perfect by clicking the blog hop button at the top of the post. Have fun!

My 100th Post!

Hard to believe this is my 100th post. I really had no idea where this blog was going when I decided to start it. Honestly, I was just looking for a creative outlet, 5 minutes to myself to type out the noise in my head, a way to evaluate that noise and push forward as a better wife, mother, daughter, sister and student of God. But because of this blog, I have made some amazing friends & have learned so much more about myself than I could have ever imagined. My sincere thanks to all of my followers, readers, fans, even the stalkers (you know who you are) for sticking with me and encouraging me to keep moving forward with this small blog which has big things in store. This 100th post would not have happened today if not for all of you! *tear*

Enough of the mushy stuff, let's have some fun! I got this idea from Living Proof Ministries blog and thought it very entertaining and perfect for today's post. So I get an 'F' for originality today. Boo. Off we go!

In Beth's words: "What are 10 things - right off the top of your head - that we would only know about you if we knew you really well? 10 random things ranging anywhere on your personal map that make you a tad distinctive? Or just plain weird? Think quickly. Don't go for deep. Go for quirky. Don't try to put them in any kind of order and don't make them long. Just start typing."

I'll go first!

1. I'm mildly obsessed with Elvis Presley and have been since the age of 4. (My daughter's name is Presley)

2. I love history. I can totally get into anything if it has a little history behind it.

3. I hate oreos. HATE THEM!

4. I'm about 13 credit hours from finishing my bachelor's degree in psychology/criminology and I have no intentions of finishing.

5. I absolutely LOVE to travel. Even with two kids. Take me anywhere. I want to see the world!

6. I've been known to stay up all night long to finish a good book.

7. I've developed a new passion for photography and web design out of left field. Never saw it coming. (and I'm just starting out - don't judge)

8. My biggest pet peeves are sock balls. You know those wads of socks taken off incorrectly and come out of the dryer still wet? GRRRR

9. I have serious texture issues with food. I can't eat the following because of the way the feel in my mouth rather than the taste: ham, mushrooms, dumplings (or anything that makes bread soggy), too ripe bananas, oysters, clams

10. My guilty pleasure is a Reese Cup and I will fight you to the death for it. Presley was almost named Reese. It was a toss up.

Now it's YOUR turn! GO!

Housekeeping

Just wanted to bring you all up to speed with some new things I've added to the blog. Boring, I know. I promise to be more entertaining tomorrow. First up, my nifty ChatBox on the sidebar. I'm going to just try this out and see how well it works and if it helps us interact with one another a little better. If we all hate it, out it will go.

Second, I've added labels to the sidebar as well. I've seen this widget on a few other blogs and was delighted to find out it is a Blogger widget.

Third, I've updated my pages (Recipes, Photography, Scrapbook Gallery & Sewing/Crafts). If you haven't checked those out recently, please be sure to do so. Check them frequently. I'll add to them as much as I can.

Now, I shall leave you with a favorite recipe which will also be added to the Recipe page for future reference. It's from the one and only Paula Deen, but don't worry - it's a rather healthy recipe for Mrs. Paula and very tasty. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday so far! Check back tomorrow for my 100th post! EEK!

Southwestern Avocado and Black Bean Salad

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 or 3 dashes hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 avocados, peeled and diced
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels, thawed and drained
• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
• About 3/4 cup (3-ounces) grated pepper jack cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together the cilantro, oil, lime juice and hot sauce.

In a large serving bowl, add the lettuce, avocado, corn, beans, tomatoes, and cheese. Add the dressing and toss well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

Peek-A-Boo

I snapped this photo on the first day of spring. We had gorgeous weather so the kids and I spent the majority of the day outside - camera in hand, of course. This is one of my favorite pics of the day. Presley is sitting at the bottom of the slide playing peek-a-boo with the camera. I did a little editing with the color in Photoshop Elements 8. I'm still learning my way around that software.

To see more pics from our warm, spring day head on over to my family blog. I hope everyone's spring is amazing so far!

Introducing....

The Universal Sewing Machine Deluxe 744! And I have no idea how to use it! But she is out of the closet and all cleaned up. She's also very heavy! This is definitely not a lightweight plastic sewing machine you see today. I haven't found all the information on her yet but I'm guessing she was made in the 1960s. I'm currently searching for information on it and finding bits and pieces thanks to Google. What did we do before Google?

I've found a site that had information on how to get her threaded. So maybe I can at least find out if it works and take it for a whirl. Keeping fingers crossed.

Groovy, huh?! My sweet husband is searching for a instructions/service manuel online as I type. He's too good to me. Although, I think he's searching with hopes of finding one and preventing me from requesting a brand new sewing machine. Me and my hobbies. But for all you seasoned sewers out there, if you could point me in the right direction to find any additional information out about this machine, I would be very grateful. My husband would be elated.

I hope everyone has a great Monday!

A Touch of Spirituality

If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Saturday Morning Comedy

Blogging Comments Systems. Suggestions???

Hello, dear readers! I am opening the floor to suggestions on new blogging comment systems. I want to be able to comment back to you but want a good system in place to do so. If you are like me, you don't want to subscribe to ALL comments and fill up your inbox with comments you may or may not want to read. I have looked into Disqus and IntenseDebate but have also heard some bloggers/readers have had bad luck with these systems. Do you have any suggestions for me? I feel commenting back to all of your sweet comments is very important. But I want to implement a good system that works for all of us. THANKS in advance for your suggestions!

My Stiletto Award

Did you see? Did you? I am the proud recipient of The Stiletto Award! This is my very first blogging award and I am too excited for my own good. You can read all about the award itself here.

Sexy, ain't it?! Thanks, Liz for bestowing it upon me and my little blog. I display it with pride!

Keeping It In The Family

First, I want to extend a warm welcome to my new followers. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here. Also, welcome to any visitors stopping by today from a belle, a bean & a chicago dog. I'll try to make things as interesting as possible for you in hopes you'll decide to click that precious "follow" button. (wink, wink) Feel free to click around and stay a while. I've added lots of new things recently. If you like what you see and want to show some love, grab a button! Are family pictures and crazy kid stories more your style? Then go check out my family blog. Now, on to today's agenda....

I mentioned in past posts that I've started quilting. Quilting has been in my family for generations and I'm ashamed to say that I never picked up on the craft. I'm afraid when my great-grandmother leaves this world, the craft will die out in our family entirely. I'm hoping to pick up the reigns. My great-grandmother found a quilt recently that my grandmother (who passed away in August) was working on and she gave me a quick tutorial on how to finish it the last time I was back home in Kentucky. This is that quilt:

These next few pictures you'll see my grandmother's handy work; her perfect stitches.

And now my imperfect stitches.

My great-grandmother (96 years young, by the way) carefully pinned the edges to show me how to finish the quilt in it's entirety.

I wasn't sure how I'd like taking on the task of finishing the quilt. After all, I have several other irons in the fire - scrapbooking, photography, cooking, blogging, not to mention raising three two kids (husband wouldn't want to be included in that number - loving you!). And I've never done it before. I was afraid (hello, insecurity) I wouldn't do a good job. After all, the previous women who've worked on it have been doing it for years. However, I have quite enjoyed quilting. I find myself picking it up while we catch up on some recorded TV each night and I've accomplished quite a bit. I've said this before, but there is something extremely satisfying about making something by hand.

I love that my great-grandmother, my grandmother and now I have all worked on this quilt together. When it's finished, it shall become my daughter's first quilt. Now that's keeping it in the family.

Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back and see what's in store for tomorrow!

Love At First Site!

I stumbled upon this blog purely by accident. And I'm IN LOVE! The site is a pretty cool life. and the author of the blog is a very crafty woman named Cheryl. She has tons of tutorials on her blog - easy tutorials for amateurs. And this is not another talented friend of mine I'm giving a shout out to. This woman has no idea that I'm posting about her blog. In fact, she has no idea I exist. But this blog is truly inspirational if you ever wanted to crank out a few easy sewing projects. It really makes me want to break out the ancient sewing machine my mother-in-law passed down to me. Uh huh. Ancient. I'm not even sure if it works. But I think I shall find out. That's right. Now I'm taking on a sewing project. I can do it all. I'm superwoman.

But seriously, you should check this blog out and get inspired to get crafty!

My Ray of Sonshine

I snapped this picture a few days ago while Keegan and I played outside during our unusually warm spell here in Memphis. I was thrilled with the way it turned out, though it has a couple of blemishes. Still, I love the streams of light the camera captured.

Blogging. Out of Control?

This weekend, the New York Times published an article written by Jennifer Mendelsohn entitled, "Honey, Don't Bother Mommy. I'm Too Busy Building My Brand." If you're a blogger and you haven't read this article, I definitely think you should. Whether you agree or disagree with it is simply your prerogative but I find it an interesting read by a journalist who also happens to be a blogger. Equally interesting is the response this article is getting in the blogging world. You can read many of the responses starting with SITS (The Secret is in the Sauce) - the blogging society to which the NYT article referred. SITS has linked their response to all sorts of other blogs with responses to the article.

I have been blogging since March of 2006. My husband started our family blog, The World of Noffs, himself after seeing his friend's blog. He loved the idea of close friends and family being able to see the latest pictures and hear the latest stories of our new son who was merely three months old at the time. Quite frankly, I loved the idea as well. My family lived at least 2 hours away, some further, and I was constantly being hit up for more pictures. Now I could tell them, "check the blog". Since Mike worked full-time and I had given up my job to stay home with Keegan, I soon took over the the blog. Again, it was simply a way for friends and family to stay updated with our family of three. If blogging conferences, communities, memes, etc. were going on at this time I had no idea and didn't care. I was completely focused on Keegan and my new purpose in life.

Then 90 posts ago, this blog was born. I sought a creative outlet for all the noise in my head and didn't want to lay it all out there on my original blog for certain family members to read. That may sound silly to some of you but it's the truth. I wanted to be able to express myself and maybe inspire myself and didn't need criticism from certain individuals. The more blogs I began to follow, the more I began to realize that there could be a lot more to this blogging stuff. I saw advertisements for anything and everything on blogs by moms who stayed at home just like me. These moms were also receiving free stuff in exchange for a blog post about the product. The blogging craze quickly sucked me in and I began thinking, I wanna do this! I want the free stuff! I want to get paid to display an advertisement on my blog. I want 500 followers or more! I want to see MY button on other blogs! I began joining blogging communities to get my blog URL out there. I started following more blogs and commenting on them, hoping someone would think my comment sweet or witty and click on my URL just to see what else I had to say. As my number of followers rose, the more excited I got about all this blog and where it could go. The increasing numbers and comments were romancing me into mass hysteria. And I fell for it. Hard. Who would have thought people wanted to tune in each day and see what this country girl from a small town in Kentucky had to say? I found myself saying to my kids, just a minute. Not right now. What movie do you want to watch next? Go play. All because I was busy reading the insane number of blogs I follow, trying to keep up with all of the blog communities I'd joined, typing a post or trying to figure out how to change the font on my blog post titles. I found myself rushing around at the end of each day trying to catch up on the housework, get dinner made and kids ready for bed so that it looked like I'd done something when the husband got home from work. Not that my husband minds me being on the computer or that I skip over the housework. My husband is a miracle sent from God. He loves me, clean house or no. But my guilty conscience was beginning to get to me; hence, the rushing around at days' end.

Now, I get that everyone is different. I have two small children at home with me all day, everyday. I am responsible for cleaning our house, doing our laundry and cooking all of our meals. I am fully aware that this is not the case for everyone. And besides, different strokes for different folks. I am in no way, shape or form taking sides on this blogging issue. But I've sort of had an epiphany as of late. For me, blogging as a whole has gotten a little out of control. I hardly scrapbook anymore. I don't spend half as much time cooking as I used to or experiment with my camera anymore. I spend less time engaging with my kids. I'd rather sit in front of the computer perusing blogs, blogging communities or tutorials. I'm not saying I won't be sitting next to someone from SITS a few years from now at Bloggy Boot Camp learning how to put together my media kit or that I won't even by writing an article for the NYT bashing said "boot camp" . My blog could become one, big, blinking advertisement or not. Only time will tell. But at this point in my life, I am going back to why I started the blog in the first place - a creative outlet, some creative inspiration to share with my followers, or lack thereof. My blog is for me. And if you enjoy reading about my journey and all the noise in my head, I hope you will follow. This Kentucky girl has a lot to say. But my family needs me to spend less time on the computer. I need me to spend less time on the computer. I will continue to post, though it might not be everyday. I will probably continue changing things around upon occasion, but when I have the time and not at the sacrifice of time with my husband or kids. I do enjoy blogging and will continue to do it. You won't get rid of me that easily.

I open the floor to comments on the NYT article or the responses from SITS and other blogging moms. I would love to hear your reactions to both.

A Touch of Spirituality

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11

Saturday Morning Comedy

Don't forget to spring your clocks forward tonight!

So Long, Insecurity

I've recently become a member of BlogFrog, a great online blogging community. While browsing around in there, I hopped into Kate's community and found that she was starting an online bible study on Beth Moore's book, So Long, Insecurity. I'm a huge Beth Moore fan and a long time follower of her blog, Living Proof Ministries. I think she is truly an amazing woman; a huge inspiration in my life. As for the book, I had heard of it, seen the discussions going on within Beth Moore's blogging community but quite honestly didn't think it pertained to me. I have always considered myself a confident woman with good self-esteem, self-worth. But someone who knew her limits - at least that's what I chalked them up to be. Limits. Anyhow, I was simply excited to see a bible study and immediately felt pulled to join in. I rushed out and bought the book the next day and began reading, elated to get involved in a conversation of any kind with other Christian ladies. So what if the book really didn't have much to offer me? I don't have any insecurities. Now, those of you that have a close relationship with God are probably laughing your tails off right this moment. Have I learned nothing about how God works in our lives? Right. I don't have any insecurities. Let the lesson begin....

After reading Chapter One, I immediately recognized that my "limits" are hidden insecurities. Insecurities that I have not faced, but have buried deep and gotten really comfy and cozy with over the years. As Beth Moore would say, we're friends. And Insecurity, you've been a bad friend. I am realizing that I've been afraid to try all sorts of new things for fear of looking like a fool or not being good at it. How many great things have I missed out on because of this? I'm terrified of making bad choices for my kids. I worry about how clean my house is and what it looks like if someone stops by unexpectedly. I worry how my children act out in public and if they act out how people perceive me as a mother. My husband and I worry constantly about financial security and making sure we have ample savings in times of crisis. And most recently, I am recognizing that I have a HUGE worry over what kind of friends I'm allowing into my life. All of these things are insecurities. And they need to go. I'm listening, God. Teach me.

I am thrilled to have found this group of women at BlogFrog and am eager to delve further into this study. I highly recommend the book for anyone experiencing any kind of insecurity and your always welcome to jump into the discussion at Living Proof Ministries or at Blog Frog!

On another note, thanks to all my new followers and for all the beautiful comments you've left!

Happy Friday everyone!

My Ball of Fire

KEEGAN
Gender:	Male
Origin:	Irish
Meaning:	Little And Fiery

And that's exactly what he is: small and fiery. Little did we know when choosing his name while still in the womb that he would actually live up to his given name. But live up to it, he does and he does it well. Small and fiery indeed.

A precocious child, Keegan was born 4 days prior to his due date, he began walking at 8 1/2 months old and could have the child safety locks figured out in no time if he saw you do it only once. His favorite food is broccoli and he would rather sit down to a bowl of grapes than a cookie any day. He loves to be around people of any kind. He knows no strangers and thinks everyone wants to be his friend. He's fiercely loyal to his family and loves with all his heart.

But this four year old ball of fire can frustrate me to no end. I recognize this as a result of him being 50% my child, meaning he has the stubbornness of a mule and he nor I will budge an inch when it comes to some things. Unfortunately, I have also passed on hay fever to both of my children. And so my story begins....

Monday, Keegan's sister, Presley wakes up with a snotty nose. Clingy & fussy, this day becomes mostly about her and trying to make her happy. She's one.

Tuesday, Keegan follows suit. Sneezing & snotty, Keegan is determined to go about his business. Ain't nothing gonna break his stride. My army of Zyrtec, Tylenol and tissues are ready and waiting.

Tuesday evening, Keegan becomes really congested. He has a knack for developing croup so I begin dosing him with tons of saline and making him blow his nose every time I hear him sniff. He goes to bed complaining because he can't breathe.

11:55pm - Keegan tip toes into our room and wakes me up. Tears streaming, he explains that his nose is stuffy and he can't find "Lamby" (a stuffed lamb he has slept with since he was a baby). Can I sleep in your bed? he asks. I scoop him up and place him next to my husband. I grab a tissue - blow - grab another tissue and dry his tears. And I am off to his room to find "Lamby".

12:05am - I have recovered "Lamby" from the toy pit that is my son's room and I hurry back to bed, blurry eyed only to discover there is no room for me in my king-size bed. Both my husband and my son are spread out all across it. Sigh. I go to Mike's side of the bed, roll him over. Back to my side of the bed, I scoot Keegan towards the middle and I take up my position on the very edge of the bed.

1:30am - I'm awake and I have no idea why. Ugh. Frustrated, I try to turn over only to discover Keegan has turned himself sideways in the bed. I reposition Keegan and find another comfortable spot for myself. Husband now snoring loudly.

2:45am - POW! I've just been smacked in the face by my four year old in his sleep. Starting over again.

4:30am - I hear Presley sneezing in the monitor. I roll over to look in the video monitor to make sure she is okay. She's crying now. Off I go to her room with tissues and saline.

5:00am - I get Presley back to sleep and I am climbing back in my nice warm bed. BAM! I'm kneed in the ribs by Keegan.

6:00am - Husband's alarm goes off. Groan.

6:15am - Husband's alarm going off again after hitting the snooze button. I punch husband, trying to avoid waking Keegan who is sleeping soundly between us. I nestle back down under the covers and try to drift back off to sleep.

6:25am - Presley's talking. She's wide awake. I look into the video monitor to discover her standing up in her crib anxiously awaiting someone to come get her. I give up.

I am grumpy, sleep deprived and short. Snot is coming from every direction and I can't for the life of me figure out how such little bodies produce so much of it. I explain to Keegan that he's going to have to sleep in his own bed tonight. I dose both kids with zyrtec and saline and go for coffee. Strong coffee. And I don't usually drink caffeine but I do today. Now my heart feels like it's literally jumping out of my chest.

12:30pm - Keegan is determined to play outside. I tell him I don't think it a good idea given his allergies are attacking him due to spring arriving and he won't budge. He stomps and whines. Remember that stubbornness I spoke of earlier? Yeah, we're butting heads. I digress. I get him dressed and send him outside while his sister is napping. Maybe I can enjoy some peace and quiet. Maybe I can get something done besides wiping snotty noses. I open the office window so I can hear Keegan outside in our backyard. I walk out of the room to retrieve my camera and walk back into the office to find this:

A flower for you, Mommy.

My heart immediately melts. My cup runneth over. How could I have ever been short with this sweet child? This child who loves me with all his heart unconditionally. So I find myself in a somewhat awkward position - apologizing to my four year old boy for my behavior. Apologizing is not easy in most situations, but I find apologizing to your child can be especially difficult. And it was. Of course, that apology was immediately accepted and a hug placed around my neck topped off with a kiss upon my lips. It's okay, Mommy. My thoughts at this very moment: you can have anything you want, Keegan. Anything.

So what have I learned? I have gained a little wisdom through this experience and a large dose of humility. I am also extremely thankful. Thank you, God, for my children. Thank you, God, for being patient with me and teaching me, guiding me along this journey. For all things, I turn to You.

Some Unexpected Fun

Temperatures here in the Memphis area reached the 70s and Mike vowed to get home a little early to enjoy the weather with us in the backyard. Well, things came up as they do with his job sometimes and he didn't get home until after dark. On his way home, he was feeling guilty about not spending that time with kids so he stopped at the store and got a few things....

Keegan was THRILLED! They took off to the backyard with flashlights and perused the backyard for treasure. Then Mike built a fire in our fire pit and we made some s'mores.

BLISS!
I usually reserve my family pics and stories for my family blog but I thought this might inspire y'all to have a little unexpected fun. And fun it was!