I thought for this blog I would let y'all into my past a bit. There are times when I think back on my childhood and remember it being a blast and then times when I remember it being hard. My siblings and I grew up poor. My dad was a trucker and in the 90s it was one of the least paying jobs in America. I can remember eating ramen for dinner and a biscuit for breakfast. I remember being so embarrassed in the lunch line when the lady asked for my card and I didnt have to give her money like my friends b/c I recieved free lunches, but then once I get past the bad things the good things shine through like a blaze.

We used to have this old rusty oldsmobile cutlass. It was baby poo yellow and constantly veered to the right. I shattered the back passenger side window just by closing the door after getting dropped off for school. So, my dad went home, patched it up with duct tape and a trash bag (black might I add). We still roll with laughter when we talk about it.

My siblings and I were constantly outside, and we had a big oak tree in the front yard. We once asked my dad for some rope to make a rope swing, then next day he came home with eighteen wheeler load straps and told us to have fun. That swing is still there when I pass by that old trailer.

Shopping is one of my most favorite things to do, but I do it smart. Being the oldest, I got a lot of priviledges like going shopping with my mom without the other kids. She taught me that we could have really nice things, and never have to pay full price. We went shopping once a month, and she would always buy me a Frozen coke to sip while we shopped. I would drink that thing so slow b/c I wanted it to last as long as possible.

I remember playing in the dirt in the back yard and making tunnels and bridges for my brothers' toy cars. Playing chool was one of our favorites, and I would take my books and make check out charts in each of them for my siblings to borrow.

When I was 15, after making the Regional honor band, I was asked to audition for State. My mom and I rode with another student and her mother and stayed in the hotel with them. My mom got a call right before my audition that a tree had fell on the house during a thunderstorm and destroyed almost everything. She didnt tell me until after my audition. We again had to start from scratch.

It is wierd thinking back on those times b/c my parents now live in a really nice trailer in a really nice neighborhood. They have two nice vehicles, and most of their children are thriving on their own (my brother still lives at home).

Truly, I believe I had the best childhood ever. We were very close, and I was loved.

I have been on this self motivation kick lately. Everyday when I get home, I take Brayden out fo his car seat, play with him for 15 minutes on my lap and then start dinner, wash the dishes from breakfast, pick up the room and closet, and start a load of clothes if needed. Once Brayden is down for the night around 7:30pm, I am able to do what my heart desires! these past few days I have been sewing and then two nights ago I put together the invites for work, but last night was completely different.

I spent 4 hours clipping coupons and looking at the circulars. I am pretty sure that I found great deals, but I wont really know until I go shopping. B/C I spent so much time on the coupons, my sink is full, DH had to put away the left overs, and the floor are filthy with rirtz crumbs. Sigh...I thought this was supposed to be easy and take very little time?

I have been in the mood to sew lately! I spent most of my night last night looking up free patterns on the internet. lol. Brayden is finally going to sleep around 8pm, so now I dont feel like I am putting him to bed and then going to bed myself! Hopefully I can get some stuff done tonight, especially his curtains, which are cut, but I was almost out of brown thread, so I decided I will pick some up on my way home this afternoon. Honestly, I bought flat sheets for a little more just b/c I didnt feel like making a perfect bottom hem...lol. How lazy is that?

I found a couple of really cute projects that may make really great christmas presents, so we will see!

I am in a picture mood lately!

Sportin' the new do!


God Bless You


Watching the black screened tv..lol


Mommy and Me!

This is me at 15 yo for homecoming. I look so pale...lol. My date was 6 foot tall, so the photographer had me stand on phonebooks... :-)



Brought to you by

I posed for quite a few photo ops for my friend that loved freelance photography. Here I am at 16 years old. I see a free spirit, someone who didnt have a care in the world. I miss those days.





Brought to you by!

Brayden,

I can't believe another month has passed us by. It seems like just yesterday I was announcing you Half Birthday! We spent the weekend together, and when Daddy go off of work we went to Pa-Ray's house and had gumbo, you of course had peas and rice cereal. You are getting so smart, and your favorite thing right now is Baby Einstein's My First Sign's DVD. You sit in your exersaucer and watch it over and over.

You have now found and love to entertain "the baby" in the mirror. Every time you see yourself you start to giggle and get all excited. We are trying to teach you to plan peekaboo with your burp rags, but all you do is pull it off your head and look at us like, "What did you do that for?"

You are starting to get up on your knees, and have even attempted to take a few crawling steps, but you usally end up face planting. It seems as if to you, you get around so fast scooting, that you are happy doing that instead of learning how to crawl. You are giving great big kisses now too! It melts my heart when you come at me with a big open mouth and grab my cheeks.

Mommy and Daddy are enjoying these fun, exploring months. We have so much fun taking you for walks and letting you explore things. Like Saturday morning, when you and I spent an hour outside exploring the grass. I can't wait to get a bike, so that we can explore the neighborhood!

I love you so much, and look forward to this next month of new and exciting things!

Love,

Mommy