I love you Christmas, I hate you Christmas

The holidays are quickly approaching and I just love this time of year. The atmosphere is just so great with the sounds of the holiday season. Everywhere you look you see lights, decorations and love. But with all of that comes the stress also. I can already feel the overwhelming stress of buying gifts for everyone on the list. When I think of Christmas the first thing that comes to mind for me lately is Gifts, gifts and more gifts! When did Christmas turn into that? When did we loose the true meaning of Christmas?
I want my daughter to grow in knowing what Christmas really is, and not what its commercialized to be. God gave us his son. Jesus was born on Christmas day. That is something to be celebrated about! Christmas shouldn't be a time of stress it should be a time of joy and reflection over what an amazing gift God gave us.
So this Christmas I'm going to be doing a bit different. I absolutely love all my friends and know how much I'm loved by each of them. So please don't feel the need to spend money on me for a gift. I will not be buying for friends this year. Instead I will be putting that money towards a gift for someone that truly needs it and I encourage you to do the same.

Love,
Tiffany

Sweet moments

I took Ryleigh to the fireworks the other day by myself. We found a nice quiet spot up on the hill and layed out a blanket. I watched her run and play with some kids behind us having a great time. When the fireworks started we layed down on the blanket and snuggled close to keep warm. A few min later she looked up at me and said "Guess what Mama? I LOVE you!" She just made my heart melt and made me realize how blessed I am to have her.
There are still days that I look at her and think 'WOW, shes MINE!? I had a hand in creating this beautiful girl.' It just amazes me.

Im Loved

If you would have asked me a month or so ago how I felt about my life you probally would have gotten an "Its ok" or "Things are fine". Truth is it wasnt. Everyday was a struggle, everyday was a fight about something stupid that didnt really matter.
Then a friend of mine asked me to go to a Marraige retreat that talked about the 5 Love Languages. It totally turned my marraige around. I found out Bobby likes words of affirmation. I try and tell him something everyday at least once thats positive. "You look nice today", "Thanks so much for doing the dishes", "Thanks for fixing the closet door". Simple thing that I usually take for granted that he does. I try and take time out in the evening to spend with him and listen to him talk about his day. I appreciate him more.
My Love launguage is Physical Touch. Hes been doing a great job of making sure he kisses me goodbye, giving me an extra hug, putting his arm around me at church. Little things like that lets me know he still loves me for me.
God heard my prayers and answered them for me. Im happier than ive been in a long time.

vacation day 1

So day 1 was absolutly not what we had planned. We left the house on time to get to the beach at 3pm. I started out driving and drove for about and hour and a half. I started to get tired so I pulled over at a rest stop and Rona took over. She drove for about 2 hrs then we stopped at another rest area to potty. Bobby decided he was ready to drive. We weren't in VA that long when Bobby hit the breaks and we slowed down. I looked over and there was a cop in the median. I said "how fast were you going". His reply was "80". We passed the cop and I looked back to see him pulling out and the lights came on. He pulled up behind us so we pulled over. I quickly got all the papers ready and Bobby had them as he came to the window saying "I clocked you at 82 in a 65. That's recklace endangerment" He took the papers and said he would be back. He came back ticket in hand and said he gave us a ticket for 80 in a 65 so we would just pay a fine. Whew! We were back on the road and before I knew it he's driving 80 again. I told him at the next rest stop he was done! I took over and we almost were hit 2 times. The first time I was in her blind spot and she tryed to come over. The second a guy swerved to miss a chunk of tire and Almost came into me. I had to slam on the breaks and swerve into the side of the road. Luckaly we were fine both times. I drove till we were an hour outside of myrtle. I'm a better navigator so Bobby drove and did the speed limit. Then the GPS said we were almost there. I was so happy after the days events. We get to where it said it was supposed to be and nothing. I looked at the address and Bobby had the S in the wrong spot. Instead of 1200 S ocean blvd. He had 1200 ocean blvd S. So we fixed it and drove 45 min to where it said. We again see the ocean and get so excited to finally get there and again nothing. I called them and they said we were 30 min away! So we get back on the Rd with the complete address and zip! Finally at 6 pm, 15 hrs later, we arrived and were safe. We get the room key and get all the luggage onto the messed up luggage carrier and went to the 4th floor where are room was supposed To be. Nope its on the 14th floor! So we finally got into the room and settled. Ry was dying to go to the beach. So we did. She had an awsome time and cryed when we left.

She did amazing on the trip. Didn't per her pants and for the most part was a very good girl. I love that kid so much!

Crap-Tastic Monday

Yesterday was the most horrible day I have had in a very long time! It started off like any monday and I started laundry. I went to the other side of the basement to pull some clothes out for someone on freecycle when I head splashing!? I went around to the other side of the basment and theres water everywhere! Ryleigh had pulled the hose out of the wash basin and layed it on the floor. So all the water that was supposed to be filling up the washer was all over the floor. I cleaned it up and went upstairs. Ryleigh was playing in the playroom downstairs. I went back down to switch out the laundry and theres water all over the floor AGAIN! This time she had added my laundry powder to the floor and all over everything else she could fling it on. While Im cleaning up that mess She goes upstairs and coats the TV in A&D, pees on the floor, helps herself to 2 brownies and takes the saline eye wash and sprays it in the toilet! I was SO MAD!!!!!!!!!!! I finally got her in her room to nap and then the dog throws up! After her nap wasnt too bad for the first hr or 2. Then we went to walmart where she procedes to throw a fit and throw herself on the floor sobbing all because I said we couldnt get sunglasses. We go to TRU to pick out a swingset and on the way home she says "Wheres Dubba mama?" (her blanky) of course she left it in TRU! So Bobby turned the car around and we went back to save dubba.
I hope I dont have any more of these days any time soon.

Beautiful Weekend

This weekend the weather was so nice! Friday I took Ryleigh to the good zoo with some friends and she had a great time! Here are some pictures:

After the zoo we came home for a nap, then I had an old friend come over for a play date. I havent seen her for years! It was so nice to catch up and let the kids hang out.

Saturday my mom and I took Ryleigh to Oglebay and got some pictures of her with the spring flowers, then went to the playground.

Sunday my mom and I took Ryleigh to Cabelas to see the stuffed animals. She didnt like it as much as we thought she would. She did love the fish though, and the pond they have in there. All in all it was a great weekend. Its supposed to rain all week now, but next weekend is supposed to be nice again!

Win a spotted box

One of my favorite sites is Momma in Flip Flops 2 and right now she is giving away one of my favorite things...A Spotted box!!!!!!!!!!! Go check it out and enter to win!

Fitting in with the crowd

Today at church this was the topic. It hit home. Sometimes I feel like a camelleon changing to fit in with the different poeple I hang out with. I hang out with certain friends and Ill say some curse words to fit in with them, then I hang out with another group and change something else to fit in better with them. Lately ive been doing a lot of sole searching and trying to find my puropse and none of those are it. Im tired of trying to be someone im not. I am a jesus freak, a loving mother who values the time I spend with my daughter, I am a loving wife who misses her husband because hes been working crazy hrs, a caring friend who is always there if you need me, a daughter who loves spending time with her mom, and sister who misses her little sister because shes always working.
Ill no longer try to fit into the crowds that dont except me for just being ME.

A sign from God

Recently I have been praying a lot about something. I asked God to give me a sign on what I should do, or what will happen about it. Last night I had a dream about it. I woke up wondering 'was that a sign?' Then after thinking about it, email a great friend, and pondering it some more I got in the car and as soon as I turned the car on, there it was plain as day, My song. This isn't just any song. Its a song that has been used as a sign many times throughout my life.

So tonight is the night I chose to talk to this person about something that is extremely important to me. Say a prayer for me that I don't come off too strong, and do it in a way where they understand my point.

My Girl....

Its about time I added some new pictures of the princess. So with out further ado..here are some of the best ones over the last couple weeks







Making Pepporoni Rolls

Passion

At MOPS on friday we talked alot about us. What we were passionate about, what we liked, what we are good at etc. This is a hard subject for me. I can talk so easily and freely about most things, but sometimes I feel so uncomftable talking about me. It seems like such a hard topic, but really shouldnt it be easy. Were talking about me here. Not rocket science. I mean Ive lived with me for 27 years and 11 months now. Shouldnt I know a little more on this subject?

I feel like I was put here to be a mom, and I really try to be a good one and not screw it up. Some days I go to bed thinking wow did I crash and burn today or what. Other days I go to bed with a smile and think how lucky I am to have such a wonderful loving daughter. Sometimes those days to come enough. But I go to sleep and wake greeting the day ready to start our next adventure.

What I like/good at: Ive always been very crafty and have a knack for looking at things and just knowing how to do it (for the most part). I started out in the jewelry buisness by attending a jewelry party. I bought a bunch of things and after looking at them figured out how to do it. Then I was looking online at needle felting and that didnt look hard either, so I bought the stuff and im rather good at it. Sewing is a whole 'nother story. I want to learn to sew in the worst way, but cant seem to get it right. I think I need a teacher for that.

So thats a little about me. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and Ill answer them.

Red Lobster

Usually on Sundays Ryleigh and I go to my parents house for dinner. Bobby comes too when he isnt working. Since my dad went to VA with a friend to a NASCAR race we decided to go to Red Lobster and splerge a bit. My dad doesnt like it there, so this was the perfect time to go. Ryleigh decided not to take a nap yesterday, and before we even went I was on stressed with her behavior. We get there and she kept telling me she wanted a baby fork. (ie the fork they give you with your crab legs) I told her she would have to wait, but she kept insisting. Finally I distracted her with the crayons. The bread came and she nibbled on that a bit. The salads came and she dives into my salad and takes all the crutons. I dont mind giving them to her, but I do not want her hands in my food. Its not polite. The food comes and she dives into my sisters plate taking her broccoli. Again I tell her to ask and Na-Na (Rona) will gladly give her a taste. But thats not good enough. She keeps grabbing the broccoli and NOT tasting it, just taking it off her plate. Then shes grabbing my shrimp and sucking the butter off and putting it back!? Um...EWW! She asked to go to the bathroom and when I took her in there I explained to her that she was being very BAD and when we went back out she needed to put her listening ears on and listen. I pick her up to put her in the high chair and she SCREAMS bloody murder. I told her that wasnt acceptable and that if she did it again we would be making a trip to the bathroom and it wouldnt be to potty! I didnt even get to finish my cold dinner. I was so disappointed in her behavior. Looking back on it, I should have taken her to the bathroom and whooped her butt!

So these are the terrible 2's...

The Spotted Box Jan 09!

I was so happy when the door bell rang yesterday at 11am. I knew it was the mail man with my Spotted box. Here are some pictures of what I got.

1. A hair clip from Kinder Klothes. I love getting mair clips for my daughters hair.

2. Another hair clip from KinderKlothes. For some reason I got a lot of multiple items in my box.

3. A hair barette from I heart bowheads. I love this one!

4. A big hair bow from Polka Tot Boutique. Its a very nice bow, but sadly too big for my DD and her fine hair :( But we will give it a great home!

5. A catnip toy from Colorado Catnip toys. We dont have any cats, so I will have to find a good home for this one too.

6 & 7 is bow tie pasta from The little Love bug. This is another duplicate, but thats ok. Im putting this up for my daughter. Anytime I get felt food I put it in a box to give to her next year. I think she will appriciate it more then.

8. A gift Certificate from The Melting Pot Candle Co. This is the ONE and only place I buy my tarts. Shes amazing and they smell so good and last forever!

9. Gift card from Closet on queens creek. I will definitly be using this one too. I had the joy of trading with Rhonda for a shirt and I-spy bag for my daughter and I absolutly loved them! Everyone raved about them too.

10. Gift certificate from Scent-sory Creations. I will have to check out her web page more indepth when I get some time. Everything looks great.

11. Ear Rings from Lili Lutu. They look great.

12. Koolaide dyed Peruvian wool from Blue Goose Designes, LLC (I think...it came with 2 buiz cards and 3 web sites.) Either way it looks great! Now to find someone to make me something with it.

13. & 14. In the pic there is nothing in the bag...thats because my 2 yr old stole it and ran yelling "PLAY DOH! I PLAY PLAY DOH" So there was green play doh in there. And I got 2 packs of it...lol. Oh well, she was very pleased with it. Its from Sewing Alley. I must say its got a great texture to it too. Not like the stuff I tryed to make!

15. Lip Balm from One Big Happy. It feels great on my lips. Im going to have to hid this from my daughter!

16. A knitting pattern for a potholder/hotpad from Jekuthiel. I dont knit, but I know some people who do.

17. Earth School Curriculum for winter. My daughter is still too little for these, but we do save them for when she is old enough. I love her stuff.

18. Seeds from Fluff n Flowers. I cant wait to plant these with my daughter!

19. A facial wipe from 2 by 2 boutique. I love these things.

20. & 21. Laundry soap from Jenny's Simply Clean. There wasnt a website on it, but I found it on HC. I cant wait to try this out. (Another thing I got 2 of)

22. Glass cleaner from Picnic Basket Crafts. Ill have to try this out!

23. Bath Salts from Glory Be Herbals. I have sensative skin to some bath products, so I will have to find this a good home. Looks and smells great though!

24. A cookie from Zoe's Cookie Traditions. Yes I know the bag is empty. Ryleigh saw it and yelled COOKIE! Eat it? So I said sure. She told me it was yummy though :D

25. A lavender Dryer Sachet from ReFabulous. I cant wait to try it!

26. A binky bag from Mystical baby. My daughter sticks her treasures in it...lol.

27. A reusable gift bag from Baby GO. I love the pattern and cant wait to use it.

2008 review

A lot has happened in 2008. Overall I would say it was a good year. Even though there were a few bumps in the road we got over them and learned from them. I think one of the best things that came out of 2008 was, I learned a lot about myself. Im a lot stronger than I give myself credit for. I have grown so much in my faith and even go to church by myself if I have to, just to go! Ive grown as a mom and I think I do a pretty good job too. Ive even become a little more patient too, and learned to pick and choose my battles. Ive even grown as a wife too, and choose my battles there too...lol.

Ive learned a lot about the people in my life. I look forward to learning even more in 2009. Im sure it will be a good year with lots more bumps and learning experiences but Ive got great friends I can count on though.

Thanks for helping me through 2008...Heres to a new year and a fresh start.