Last week was our last week in NC, and Clark decided we needed one last amazing date night to commemorate our time in NC. And, boy, did he go all out. That means, of course, I have to praise him publicly. On my site. I may be bragging just the slightest bit.

He hired the babysitter, made the reservations, and told me my dress code. Actually, he really picked out my outfit. It was adorable. I had no idea what he was up to.

In case you are unaware, Wester NC, specifically Asheville, is home to the largest historical house in the country, The Biltmore Estate. Follow the link for more information!

We've lived in the area for, well, about six years and had never been. One way or another we talked ourselves out of it or never justified so. Clark decided what better time of year to see the house than at Christmas time, with a candlelight dinner before, and all the joys of Christmas for atmosphere?

Yeah... the man did good.

I don't have a ton of pictures, and the ones I do have are all thanks to my phone. But just so you can get a glimpse at how blessed I am, they're below.

TWO DAYS TO GO!

I have to admit, the past couple of weeks have been rough. I've kind of been wishing time away, not really investing as much as I should into playing and enjoying Michael. We have our on and off days, but lately it seemed like most of the days had been "off".

I love Michael more than words can express, and it pains me when we have hard days. I wonder if I'm scarring him for life if I put on a TV show rather than run around the house for the hundredth time with him, just so I can sit and have some quiet time. Or if I'm not doing as much as I should because he doesn't know more than five letters and can only really count to two. After all, there are kids who can count to six and are younger than him, and kids who know the alphabet song already. Shouldn't Michael know more?


It seems to be that our society puts a lot of pressure on where Michael should be and what I should be doing to get him there. So on days where I'm worrying about all of that, and then turn on the TV instead of deciding to do a letter-of-the-week craft, I panic, and think I'm somehow stunting him.

When Clark's gone, I admit to getting lazy some of the time. I have so much admiration for parents who do this more often than I do, especially single parents who have to do it all themselves all the time. But ultimately I realize that I just worry too much about how I'm parenting, rather than just parenting. Does that make sense?


So lately a lot more time has been invested in having mommy-son time, and less time on the computer blogging or making cleaning the priority. Be patient with me as I catch up, but I promise some awesome recipes and plenty of change in the weeks to come.

Until and through then, I will be focusing on what matters most-- our little family.

Dearest Clark,

On our anniversary, I wanted to take the time to express just how much you mean to me. It is easy, even over a “short length” of six years, to let to-do lists and responsibilities of all kinds get in the way of expressing just how much I love and appreciate you.

You are a strong-minded man who tries to make everyone happy. It is your greatest trait. When you put your mind to something, you are determined and forever stuck to it, whether you finish it or go back to it later. This is one thing that I love so much about you, because it reassures my tender and worrisome heart that you will always love me. You have chosen to love me, and I have no doubt that means you will—‘til the end of time, Come What May.

You are an amazing father. Watching you with Michael makes me love you more than the day we said our vows in the courthouse. He is so much like you, and I am so thankful for that. I feel so blessed that he has such an amazing man to look up to, because there is no one I would rather him be like than you. You have a kind heart, a gentle spirit, and can teach him so many things that no other father could. He is a piece of you and a piece of me, and every morning I am reminded just how blessed I am for that.


You are a hard worker. Above all else, you put getting the job done first. Whether it’s climbing towers or mountains, cleaning the car or fixing something that’s broken, you do it with all your energy and capability. It is an amazing quality to have.

I am still amazed at all of your dreams and accomplishments. Even though you are always putting Michael and me first, you never forget yourself when an opportunity presents itself. I still have faith that you will do most, if not all, things on your “bucket list” because of who you are and the passion you have in your heart.

I feel like the greatest thing we ever learned was to truly love one another, something we are still learning day-by-day.




Things to come:

Fall Bucket List

Michael's first haircut + apple picking

Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
The idea for this post came from Ashley over at The Sweet Season.

This has been a week for the books. It feels like it's been going since last Thursday. Granted, we've "stopped" since then a couple of times... but when Clark is home, time just runs together. It's wonderful and almost sad at the same time.

Dear Michael, I'm sorry for getting upset when the only person you want is Dada. It should make me SO HAPPY that you love your Dada (and it does), but I selfishly get hurt feelings when he comes home and you want nothing to do with me. You'd think the break would do me some good, but honestly it just makes me appreciate all our wonderful together-time. Don't get me wrong. I want your Daddy home. I will just be one happy camper when it's a little more of a consistent/normal schedule... someday.

We had so much fun celebrating your birthday ALL. WEEK. Going apple picking, going to see Planes, and the plan to go to the fair today... it has just been awesome.

Dear Friends, Forgive me for going MIA whenever the hubby is home. We try to squeeze so much quality family time in that my phone tends to be forgotten and the internet abandoned (except for work). I appreciate your patience and love, and I hope you don't think of me as a fare-weather-friend.

Dear Cold, Please go away. This is referring to HAVING a cold, not cold weather. I am over being sick and not being able to breathe. You've made life a bit difficult. So... if you could just be done with... I'd appreciate it.


Have a happy weekend, my friends! Here are some things you have to look forward to.


Michael's Birthday, in review.


Beer Bread.


#TBT: Yummy Corn.


PS-- just realized it's Friday the 13th. Weird.

The idea for this post came from Ashley over at The Sweet Season.

TGIF!!!

Favorite picture of me and the little man from this past week :).
I am so thankful it's Friday. I must admit this past week is a bit of a blur. I felt like I was constantly running on empty. Now, don't get me wrong, it really was a good week (for the most part). Michael and I are really getting a routine down... until he decides he wants to do something to throw it off, or I do. But, ya know, that's life!


Dear Twin Bed
I am so excited we finally invested in you. Michael was never going to sleep in his crib. Ever since the first night we were home and we let him cuddle in bed with us, and then the second, and the third... co-sleeping became our way of doing things. I'm so thankful it was (and still is). However, I am very excited to start Michael in his own room. And I must say, he is taking to you quite well for his naps right now. Not to mention he loves having his own bed to climb onto to for reading or playing time.



Dear Weather
You are truly being ridiculous. I feel like every time I get to do this type of post I feel the need to mention you. Tuesday alone we had snow, sleet, rain, and then sunshine and a high of 55. Are you kidding me? Today it was sunny and sixty, and tomorrow we're under a warning of freezing rain! Make up your mind already!


Both pictures from Tuesday, February 19th.

Dear Kitchen
I promise I will clean you... eventually. I am learning to accommodate my picky eater and make things that he enjoys... as well as sneak in a thing or two that might be green. Please don't start smelling funky or anything due to me not being able to wipe you down every night. You should be thankful I love to cook. You are dirty because you are loved.

Waffle Cookies Recipe to be posted in the upcoming week!

Homemade Mac & Cheese Recipe to be posted soon. Green Beans recipe here!


Dear Michael
I am so thankful for you. You are 100% boy, and that is such an adjustment for me coming from a family that consisted of three daughters (myself included). Please be patient with me as I learn not to freak out over every bump and bruise. You seem to be falling on your head a lot lately from all your running, and you're making mama want to buy you a helmet. Just so I don't turn into that mother, could you maybe slow down just a little... please?



Have a happy weekend! I leave you with a quote to make you think :).
Check out Quotable Life's Facebook Page Here!

The idea for this post came from Ashley, of The Sweet Season.

I know, I know. Christmas season just ended. We're only a little over a week into the New Year. How can I be thinking about another holiday?

You may or may not remember from posts past that I LOVE Valentine's Day.

This year it's looking more and more definite that hubby will not be home for it. We are so thankful for his current job, especially in this economy... but boy is it rough. I never expected for him to be gone this much, or for it to be this hard. I mean, I survived 13 weeks of bootcamp, you'd think I could handle three to four weeks intervals. I suppose then I didn't have a toddler. It definitely makes a difference.

Sorry for the tangent.

I LOVE VALENTINE'S DAY.

Everyone says it's a card holiday. A day to promote chocolate and love and depressing for those who don't have a significant other. Well, if you remember my first post and second post from last year, Valentine's Day has always been much more than that to me.

I was trying to find a specific craft to do and share with you, but the truth is Pinterest is overloaded with some fabulous free DIY Printables. I couldn't pass up sharing them with you first. I'm promising a craft for later, but for now, here are my favorite ideas/printables from Pinterest. (You can also follow my Holiday Specials and Me & My Love boards for more ideas to come!)

Candy Bar Wrappers from the former Anything But Perfect, now Hello Cuteness!

Valentine Party Circle labels for bags of treats and such. From Anything But Perfect/Hello Cuteness.

S'More Friends Like you! Adorable idea to bag up some marshmallows, chocolate, and grahams and give them to friends. From Domesticated Lady.

Heart Seals from Ms. Martha Stewart.

I hope these put you in the mood to share the love come February 14th! Remember, it doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to let others know you care!

I have a confession. Sometimes the Christmas season stresses me out.

It's no one's fault but my own. I constantly put pressure on myself to do so much during the month of December. I want to watch all the best seasonal movies, make amazing goodies for friends and family, get the best presents for my closest friends and family, plan amazing things for Clark's birthday, go to church regularly, do a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, give to the Salvation Army, volunteer where I can... all these things I put pressure on myself to do. All the while forgetting why I'm doing them.

Time and time again I've had to tell myself to slow down. To realize what's important, and where I'm putting unrealistic pressure. For example, I have to realize that I can't buy everyone what I know they really want, or the really thoughtful gift I thought of. Sometimes the simplest thing is to send them a card to let them know I'm thinking of them. And I can't make every single thing I want to bake (as hard as I may try), because the most important thing is to spend time with those who are near and dear to my heart, especially Michael and Clark. And I can't provide everything for everyone who is not as blessed as we are. As hard as I may try to volunteer, tithe, give, help... I can't make up for the fact that there will be children Christmas morning without gifts.

My favorite verse for Christmas is Luke 2:13-14. I especially like the King James Version, because I always hear Linus in "A Charlie Brown Christmas" saying it.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

This is my favorite verse because it's how I envision Christmas every time I stop to think about what's really important. I imagine the heavenly host appearing in the skies singing to the world, and wondering how on earth so many could miss this glorious sight.

There was a multitude of heavenly host praising God, for all those present to see. Here we should be so humbled from this message, but still we focus on the tree and the gifts.

I have recently volunteered to be a Compassion blogger, and Clark and I are planning to sponsor a child come the new year as our monthly tithe. I am usually so against plug-ins with blogs, but I ask you to look into the information and think about those children that want nothing more than to know the good news and see the heavenly host. We are so amazingly blessed that we sometimes forget to stop and remember those who are struggling. I ask you to listen to the angels sing, and remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

"And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: 'How could it be so?'
It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes or bags!
And he puzzled three hours, 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!"

Christmas isn't about the presents or the tree, but about the love and true reason for the season. Help spread the word and the love this Christmas.




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