The last time...

Have you read this book?

It's a book for mommas disguised as a kid's book.

Anyway, bring your tissues if you ever plan to read it, but just know that. It's quite thought provoking while it's at it, too.

I know I've already missed several "lasts," but I sure am more conscious of it now...or at least I try to be. Last night, after several days in a row of Baby R not wanting to snuggle with her last bottle of the day, I lost it. {poor Mr} I lost it good.

I cried. I whined. I stomped my foot. I was unreasonable. I ended up hyperventilating and almost collapsing. All because Baby R was maybe growing out of the snuggle phase and I couldn't remember the last time...

So this, my friends, is a gift.

And I cherished every single second of it...For if this was the last snuggle {God forbid}, this momma will have each breath felt, each love whispered, and each song hummed etched forevermore...

Things I Learned Today...

I love when I get a chance to think about what's going on around me. Too often, I am just checking off items on my ever-present "list." Here are the things I have learned today...

1) "Easy Install" never means "easy install." Literally. My husband has done a fabulous job putting in our new screen door, but I must say (and I'm sure he would agree) it hasn't been easy. {Then again, "things" in life that are really worth something never really are easy, are they?} But it looks fantastic, and I just knew he could do it! He did a great job, and we saved mucho moola by putting it up himself! {pics to come}

2) Planting flowers/de-weeding is {gasp} fun for me! We did no landscaping last summer, so I can't really remember much about the 2 summers before, but I certainly don't remember enjoying it. 2 hours has left me tired, dirty, smelly, sweaty, and energized. Hoping to start "making time" for this type of work in the future b/c I sure do enjoy it. {Little D, not so much...} Pictures to come....

3) You can't MAKE  dog want to be outside. Yup, the pup is getting quite lazy in his old age. His 4 years have been rough on him, but we put him out with us, and he immediately wanted to come in! What about quality family time?! I really thought he'd wanna be out there with us. Oh well...

(Seriously....this is what my dog does 90% of the time...)

4) Sometimes playing with Wikistiks is just the WAY to go. We needed to cool off from outside and found ourselves doing this. I must show off our incredible talent! Dman is so proud of his window {which is also an elephant}, and who doesn't love a pretty flower now & again?

Anyway - be blessed. I know it's the most RANDOM post ever.

Happiness is...

The longer I am here on this dusty old earth, the more I long for home. Jesus wasn't kidding when he said {and I quote} "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33)

He didn't say "you MAY have trouble." He said, "you WILL have trouble."

Can I get an "amen!?"

Not wanting to ramble here, but just been thinking about JOY and Happiness and the difference between the two.

There are so many "things" going on right now in our family, both in this house and outside our walls with our parents and those close to us. Sometimes when I stop to pray about all of it, I just get so overwhelmed. And it's a constant giving back to God all of my issues, problems, petitions, requests, needs, wants, and desires. And if I let it, it just all brings me down. It keeps me from experiencing the joys of today, this moment.

So...I've been really asking God to help me live in the moment and experience the joys through all the rough stuff. Part of it is realizing that welling up of happiness is much different from joy...an everlasting peace. So, I've been writing my moments down.

And in case you need some happiness, you can share some of mine...

Happiness is...singing at the top of our lungs as a family. Love will hold us together.
Happiness is...Ruby's giggles.
Happiness is...waking up from a 2 hour nap, realizing your son has snuggled up and napped with you.
Happiness is...getting a call back for a 2nd interview (for the Mister, that is)
Happiness is...Dillon fake sneezing to make Ruby laugh.
Happiness is...Ruby coughing when she takes a bite of food, making it go EVERYWHERE.
Happiness is...watching Monk at the end of every day with my Mister.
Happiness is...getting a piece of snail mail.
Happiness is...a phone call from my bestie.
Happiness is...a little wave as D turns around right before going in to school for the day.
Happiness is...these two gems below. {Thank you, Jesus, for your gifts.}

Photo taken by my s-i-l @ Rockwell Photo Indy

Show 'N Tell: Ribbon Wreath

I know, I know. What's going on that I post TWO crafty posts in a mere couple of days?

Let's just say...it's how I'm dealing with "life" right now. Crafting and praying. That's all I can do.

Anyway - this is also Pinterest inspired, and I will do MANY things different for my next one. But here's the beaut:

Now...to start dealing with "life" by doing housework....maybe I'll find some inspiring music...

Show 'N Tell: Craftiness

So...although I'm not sure (the ambiguous) YOU have not necessarily missed me, I have certainly missed writing! And posting! And annoying and bombarding you with my thoughts.

So much going on. So much. Won't even go there.

I have crafted for the first time since SweetPea Ruby came along! I (embarrassingly) admit that this is a birthday gift for my bestie (July 4) FROM 2011. Each year, I usually give her her bday gift around Christmas. This time it's actually closer to her bday...(boo for me being a bad friend). Thankfully, she is wonderfully gracious and patient.

The idea came from here. Love it. One of my favorite blogs out there. Then I added the twine & clips from another blog, which of course I can't find now. (boo)

After much adieu:

Look what else I made for her boys!! Who's walls don't need our names on them?

Now to work on some for my OWN kiddos...

Psst! Lookie! I made one for me while I was at it! We (Mister & I) liked the zigzag effect, but who knows if I'll go back to the original plan by the time it gets up! Yay!

Be blessed!

This just pinned...

I finally broke down and joined Pinterest...as if I have time... :)

Click to find me @ Pinterest.

2012 Here We Go!

2011 has held many emotions, heartache, joy, and blessings. May the ones I love be blessed in 2012. May Ruby be ours in 2012. May our marriage be stronger, our family be closer, our parents be well, and our kids be kids in 2012. So many dreams and wishes for the coming year...mostly, though, may God be glorified in my life, my marriage, my friendships, my family, and my children. I am so thankful for a new page and chapter. ♥

I am really hoping to get back to blogging. I miss it like CRAZY...not just reading, but writing.

There are lots of changes ahead, including working my allotted time, and I'm hoping this will bring about a sense of balance in life.

Here's to 2012 and all the moments that lie therein.