Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Last Post

Hey Friends,

It is with great sadness that I write this, the last post, from My Happily Ever After.   Because of unforeseen circumstances that are beyond my control, My Happily Ever After has ended.  I never imagined that this day would come, and ask for your prayers during this time for my family.

Thank you for the love and support that you have shown over the past few years!  I hope to blog again some day.  And, I hope that you will find me again!
 

 Until that day,

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Days Like This

Remember this little guy?



Remember what his father told him?

Yep, one of those days. 

Mama said there'll be days like this... -The Shirelles






image courtesy of Disney

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Request From Rainbow Bridge



Weep not for me though I am gone
Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.

Author: Constance Jenkins

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Happy Thursday

















Where, oh, where has the time gone?  Is this weekend really the first of September?  Didn't September just end? I feel as if this year has passed in the blink of an eye. 

So much has happened.  So much has changed.  And, while I feel like I have lived in the moment, I also feel as if life has passed me by!  My baby boy is now a toddler, and my toddler girl is more like a big girl!  She will be FOUR in a little over three months!

I've wanted to document it all here, but failed miserably!  I don't even know if I've mentioned that Chuck changed jobs... last October... and spent six months working away from home every Monday-Friday.  Thankfully, he changed jobs again and is now home every night of the week.  But, with that job change, we had to relocate.  Not that I'm complaining!  I am so excited that we are living in North Mississippi.  I feel as if I have moved home! 

For the first time in FIVE years, I can run to my parents' house and back home in an afternoon!  And, today, the kids and I were in Sam's and actually bumped into my parents!  I'm not sure who was more excited... Emma, Jack, or me.  Jack's face was priceless, though, when he spotted Granna and Pop.  His eyes got really big and his mouth dropped and formed a perfect 'O.'  It was so cute!

I'm working on getting us settled in here.  I'm down to boxes mostly labeled 'To Be Sorted.' I have lots of reasons not to sort them, though.  And, when I exhaust that list of reasons, I find new ones.  Maybe one day I'll sit down and deal with them!

Until then, I'm off to try out the next new 'idea' I've stumbled upon!

Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Emma's First Dance Recital

I don't know when I have ever felt as proud as I did the night of Emma's first dance recital.  She did such an awesome job.  As I watched her on stage, I could just feel my heart swell with pride.  My eyes teared up, and I literally thought my chest would explode.

Emma took to the stage and performed like a champ.  During her first routine, Fairy Ballet, her class stole the show.  They waved and blew kisses until they were carried off stage by the teachers.  Later, they performed their tap routine, If You're Happy and You Know It."  They had the entire audience clapping and singing along with them.  It was so cute!

Between numbers, we hung out backstage and took in all the chaos around us.  There were probably a couple hundred people backstage... dancers, moms, teachers, helpers, etc... and probably twice that many balloons.  Each dressing table was decorated perfectly, with signs, flowers, balloons, and gifts.  And, then you had the necessities mixed in, too... make-up, hairspray, curling irons, costumes, tights (2 colors), shoes, and all the other accessories that we needed.  Then, on top of having all of those things, each table also had snacks, drinks, and entertainment... colors, paper, stickers, puzzles, etc. It was complete and utter chaos.  Fun chaos, though.

I really think that I enjoyed it as much as, or maybe more than, Emma.  It brought me back to my dancing days, but gave me a new perspective.  A mom's perspective.  I never thought about all of the planning and prepping my mom always had to do for me!

Emma and I were both exhausted once we were done, but I think we are both looking forward to the next one!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from recital.  Hope you enjoy!


  

 

Friday, June 8, 2012

Five Question Friday

I admit it.  I'm a terrible blogger.  I have so many things to share, yet I don't.  My kids are achieving all sorts of "firsts," and I haven't shared any of them.  I like to think I am living in the moment with them, and that's why I'm not blogging as much.  Yeah, I'll keep telling myself that. 

Honestly, though, when I get them to bed, I'm usually so tired that I can't even think about blogging.  And, trying to blog during the day? With them awake?  Not happening.  They like to press the buttons on my computer, cry, scream for me to do something for them, color on the walls, flood the bathroom... I could go on for days!

But anyway, I enjoy participating in Five Question Friday.  And, it is usually Friday again before I realize I haven't blogged since the last one.  I'm enjoying my crazy, tiring days with my kids, and really, that's all that matters.  

Happy Friday!





1. Did you do anything special for your kids on the last day of school? Or did you parents do anything special for you?
  
No, not this year.  Emma is only three, so maybe she won't remember that I was a slacker.  I can't remember my parents ever doing anything for us to celebrate the last day of school.  So, I haven't given much thought to a special something to do for my kids.  Maybe I'll work on that!

2. What's your favorite summer tradition with your children?


We haven't established anything yet.  I would love to make it a tradition to go to some great beach every summer.  
3. What was your favorite thing to do during the summer as a kid?


I loved to swim, play outside, and spend the night with friends.  
4. How old were you when you were married? Were you a Bridezilla?


I was 26 when I got married.  I don't think I was a Bridezilla, for the most part... Ask my sister, though.  She was my maid of honor and she'll tell you the truth.  

I do remember becoming Bridezilla when my florist brought me an ugly, pageant type bouquet.  I asked him if he thought I was Miss America.  Then, he informed me that my guys'  boutonnieres were roses.  The only request I had when meeting with him was, and I quote, "I don't care what you do as long as you do NOT bring a rose in this church."

I am pretty sure I should still be asking forgiveness for the tongue lashing I gave him.  In the church.  


5. What is your favorite girl name? (I'm needing suggestions.)  



Of course, Emma Cate is my favorite.  But, if we are talking about names that aren't my children's, Annie Michael is my favorite girl name.  Followed by Clara Michael.  And, I still haven't ruled out the possibility of using them some day.  SOME DAY.  But not today.  And, NO, there is nothing I need to tell anyone.  Promise!



Have a great weekend!




Friday, June 1, 2012

Five Question Friday





Just thought I would play along with 5QF today.  It's been a while since I have!



1. What were you scared of as a kid?

I can't really remember being afraid of anything other than spiders.  And, I'm still pretty scared of them.  Oh, and scary movies.  Definitely scared of those as a child.  And, I'm pretty sure that my fear has grown as an adult.  Even the previews give me nightmares!

2. Do you sleep well in a hotel?


Sometimes, I actually do.  Just not if my kiddos are with me.  They don't usually sleep well, which means I don't either.  


3. If you could meet any celebrity, dead or alive, who and why?


The list goes on and on... But, to pick just one, I would have to say Marilyn Monroe.  I think she led such a fascinating, yet sad life.  I would love to hear about her life from her perspective.


4. It's a hot summer day. Do you prefer to be pool side or at the beach?


Definitely by the beach!  I love the sand and sun and salty air.  A day at the beach is good for the soul.  


5. What is your favorite summer dish?


Roasted veggies and pasta with Parmesan.  It's a recipe I discovered in an Everyday Food magazine.  It's a favorite at my house!


Happy Friday!

           



Friday, April 6, 2012

Powerful

"Just know all is well. Believing is the ship that will bear you to safety over stormy waters."

This is the devotional for today from "Reminders From God." Pretty powerful stuff, especially today.  I was pacing the floor and anxiously awaiting, okay, worrying, when I sat down at the computer.  Still haven't gotten the phone call that I am waiting on, but I have a peace about it and know that all is okay.

What a great Friday this GOOD Friday is!

God bless!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Great Debate



I've been away from the blogoshphere  for a while now.  Partly, it was a forced break, partly, it was a decision that I made on my own.  I use the term forced loosely.  Because, in reality, it hasn't been forced. I've been debating not blogging versus blogging versus starting a new, private, blog that I only share with close friends and family.

I've stepped back from blogging because of the responses I began to receive.  The analyzing and over analyzing of the life that I live with my family.  The need for some to 'rescue' me from it all.  The assumptions that I don't have a clue.

My life isn't perfect.  I've never claimed that it was.  But, I choose to present a particular portion of my life.  I choose to not discuss somethings, a lot of things, on my blog.  I choose to gloss over some things.  And, some days, I choose to let it all hang out.   

All of these things I choose because it is my blog.  It is what it is.  Please take it as that, and nothing more, nothing less.  Please visit it and use it to find encouragement, joy and positivity. 

I'm still debating major changes, but,for now... back to blogging! 

It's good to be back.



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Frustated

 

I may or may not be doing the same thing as Jack in this picture... right now...






Sunday, January 22, 2012

If, Then



Remember those little things back in grade school... If A = B, and B = C, Then A = C? What were they called?  I can't remember... Don't want to remember... I had totally forgotten about them until dinner the other night.

Emma and I were sitting at the table, eating dinner, when she reminded me.  We were having a healthy, nutritious dinner of Little Caesar's Pizza, when she pointed to the box and started telling me 'who' was on it.

First she said, "Look, Mommy!  There's Daddy" as she pointed to the D.  Next she found her letter, the E. She also pointed out Laila, my niece's, L.  She went on the name some others, like P for Pop, and C for Cameron.  Then she pointed to the H and said, "Look, Mommy!  It's Chester (Granna and Pop's horse)!"

I told her no, that C is for Chester and H is for horse.  She replied by pointing to the H again and saying Chester.  I kept trying to explain... to no avail... to her that C, not H, is for Chester and that H is for horse.  Every time that I would point to the H and say horse, she would say Chester.

Finally, after several exchanges like that, she looked at me with disgust and said, "But Mommy, Chester is a horse." Well, then, there you go. 

Because, the rule states that if H = Horse, and Horse = Chester, well, then H must = Chester.   Right?