Only in Georgia

Can we go from 60 degrees on Monday, to 8 degrees on Wednesday, with 4 inches of snow and ice on the ground and then back to raining and 69 degrees on Sunday. All in one week. Whew! 

Jack: I stepped in water.

(Takes one sock off) 

Mommy: Here are some new socks. 

Jack: I don't want new socks. 

Mommy: your feet need to be warm. You will be "cool" and "stylin'" if your socks match your pants. 

Jack: I don't want be "cool." I want to be warm. 

Napping

Yes!!! My boy is napping!! It is "go time" on getting my chores done. 

Go to sleep, my gymnast.

See this??? This is am example of what I saw in the monitor. We are going to have to go from a toddler bed to a twin bed. He is sideways doing back bends and tells me he can see his toys upside down. (On his pillow)

Who taught him this trick? 

Go to sleep, my gymnast. 

Puzzles make everything better

My boy and I sat for 30 minutes putting together 2 puzzles. Puzzles are calming to me and we had an enjoyable time relaxing together. 

Just keep swimming

Jackson decided that mommy didn't need an hour to herself to rest, so he decided to wet the bed (even though he wakes me up every morning now to pee) and not take a nap. This morning it was 3:30am when he wanted to go pee pee. I am happy for him to have a dry pull up, however, I do not have an infant. I would rather not get up and mess up my REM cycle. So, if a nap is needed, it really gets me bummed out and frustrated to not have him nap. It has been a very unusual day and I am thinking we are going to go on a walk to get some fresh air.

I am so glad there is dinner in the crockpot because I can't even think about cooking right now. I am already missing my one hour of adult fellowship with my life group tonight. I love my son, but I haven't had a lot of "me time" since January 15th. I am really looking forward to date night this week.

Enough complaining. I have 4 more hours with my little man. I am going to make them special!

2 months

In two months my son will be three years old. What?!?

Fever and cough

I got all ready to go to church this morning it was pretty excited about going even though my hubs is not with us. It is a 45 minute drive so it is a big commitment to get ready and to get a toddler ready too. Well, he woke up with a low-grade fever and a cough. So, we are not going to church and we are not going to Life Group tonight. As a mama, you have to be flexible and enjoy the fact that our sermons are online. 

Busy

We have been super busy while Daddy has been away. Tomorrow will be another fun day. We have to leave the house by 7:45 and will be back for lunch. I am glad we have things to do, but I wanted to work on some things while he was gone. I have tomorrow afternoon/evening and Monday afternoon/evening left to get them done.

By the way, where did January go?!

Our Renovation Project

As some of you know, we renovated my husband's childhood home for his parents to sell. They had renters in it for 12 years. It needed a lot of renovations in order for it to sell and be ready to go. At first, it was just a design job and then it became "my baby." I always wanted to going to interior design. However, I knew that it took up a lot of time, and the deadlines were not always set in stone ( with contractors). It's a very flexible job and that's great if you don't have kids. However, I will always remember this project that my husband and I got to experience together. My parents were rock stars in helping take care of my boy during this 3 month project. I had the freedom to design anything I wanted and put my all into making it beautiful!

 My hubs and I painted the upstairs for a week straight (sometimes 12 hours a day) We knew a painting crew would be worth it for the entire downstairs. 

Every light switch and every electrical outlet were exchanged for white ones. Every light fixture in the house has been replaced to have a new and updated look. Every surface in the home has been painted. New carpet and hardwood floors have been added. Every bathroom has a new countertop and toilets. Outside, the landscaping has been freshly cut and trimmed like it had a spa day.

 I know I'm probably forgetting something but it was amazing to think about the very first day we walked in the house. We could only staying there about 10 minutes because the fleas were so bad.  I'm not sure how these renters even lived in this place. They left trash everywhere and the carpet looked horrible. All the walls were painted crazy colors and I knew we had a big job. 

I am pleased with the results. However, please do not ask me to completely renovate your house. This is a special project for some very special people. And, my job is to be a stay-at-home mom right now. I enjoyed this project very much but this is the one and only time. :-) We got a lot of debt taken care of by taking on this project too! Go, Dave Ramsey!

So, below was my most favorite room that I redesigned. We are on a tight budget, but we didn't overlook on the important details. There are stainless steel appliances, along with a beautiful butcher block countertop from IKEA, hardwood floors, and a white skirt sink, also from IKEA. The color is so inviting and calming. We only have 5 more knobs to put on the cabinets, but I didn't think you would mind. This kitchen was a labor of love. All the wallpaper had to be ripped down, all the "wood" backsplash had to be removed. I had the crew add the bead board for the back splash. And all of the knobs were identical to the old knobs, except they were silver.  I totally didn't even recognize that I picked out the same knobs until after I had purchased them and started switching them out. I just love the way they look. The cabinets had a bazillion coats of paint on them. I think the painters were getting slightly upset we had pickiness about how they looked, however, in the end, they look brand-new. The floors are hardwood floors and they are gorgeous. The guys also installed the microwave over the oven. I wasn't sure how that would fit and if it would look good, but it definitely does! Our crew was amazing and I am grateful for their services. So, who wants to buy it?? Atlanta area!! More photos of this 5B/2.5 Bath coming soon!! 

                  

                    AFTER!!!!!!!!

Please excuse my iPhone photos. I will post my DSLR photos later. :-)

School bus

It is a daily occurrence where in the morning and every afternoon, if we are home, I will hear the school bus stop in front of our house to let the children on/off each day. At that time, Jackson runs through the house to look out the front window to see the infamous school bus making its daily appearance. He loves school buses and everything about them. It's the little things in life that bring so much joy. 

After an exciting morning of story time and a couponing trip to CVS, my boy is taking a fabulous nap! I have been able to rest and am ready to get on all my chores for the day.

I wish the weather would cooperate and give us some warmth. It looks gorgeous out our windows, but the temperatures are not the best for playing outside. I have never had this much cabin fever. I need to vacation in Florida for a weekend to get my fix.

Bunco

I officially joined a Bunco group! I am excited to have Mommy time each month and I even won a prize tonight!!! 

Celiac Attack

I had what I got attacked by gluten. I thought I was safe, but others are sometimes unaware of spices or cross-contamination. I thought I was going to die. I can't believe I dealt with that for 3 years. I never want to go back. 

I had high ambition to finish blowing our leaves yesterday, but had to stop and deal with my attack. There will be cold temps again for a while. The leaves will be there.  Oh, well. I got a good start. 

Feeling like a paranoid eater....

Where's Nate?

Waiting for our neighbors to get home. He loves our neighbors.

One hour

It took my son an hour to fall asleep.

I'm already excited about him waking up so we can go play outside. It's 65° outside. For now, I guess I'll do some chores while I wait. There is a thing called laundry to do. :-/

Monday

I am very excited about he weather tomorrow. We are going to be outside all afternoon!!! Woohoo!!!

Couponing apps

I am getting paid to buy things I already buy. I like these new apps. That extra money will be nice to have for buying groceries! Plus, with couponing, I am getting even more money back in my pocket. Woohoo!

Crazy Friday Night….party hard!

I fell asleep last night at 8pm. I am writing this tonight because it is 11:53pm and I can't settle my mind. I went to a couponing class taught by the lady that started Southern Savers.  I am motivated on how she shops and coupons! I am ready to tackle shopping and planning meals! And, that is why my 2.5 hour class is still overwhelming my brain.

I bet you were jealous of my crazy Friday night.

Splash

So, my son is getting tall enough not to use the potty standing on a stool. We need to break this habit and transition to standing on the floor. Tonight, he leaned over too far and ended up hitting his head on the seat and his arm went into the toilet. The bruise on his head is noticeable, but I think we will just say he was doing something heroic rather than that he fell into the John. :-/

Update on my growing 2 year old

On Sunday, he started asking "why." This can be an exciting time, but one that involves a lot of patience.

He is very compassionate and caring. He knew I wasn't feeling good yesterday and offered me a blanket, water, and some medicine…..all on his own. He also decided to sing me some songs to make me feel better.

He is a very active boy that is always on the move. I am looking forward to it getting warmer outside so we can go on walks, play in the backyard and on the playground.

He is very observant. He knows that he is not allowed to put his fingers in his nose. Well, Daddy was scratching the inside of his nose and Jackson promptly asked "Do you need a tissue, Daddy?" I am one proud mama!

He will stand to go #1 all day (even at 4am), however, he still refuses to go #2 consistently on the potty. I see some more underwear days ahead of us. I don't think he will go in them if he wearing his Thomas the Train underwear. We will see.

Last night 1/14, he finally learned how to do a summer salt. He is very proud of himself and wants to practice as much as possible. I am hoping we can get him into gymnastics in the Fall. He LOVED The Little Gym and I wish they had one in LaGrange. We have gone to one in Mississippi because his Aunt  works there. He asks to go every time we visit.

Well, I believe that is it for now. He is one busy boy and I am one blessed mama.

Walk

I finally got to go on a walk with my family around the neighborhood. It wasn't cold or rainy. However, in about four hours we are about to have another rainstorm. And, then, it will get cold. I'm so glad we got to go outside together and enjoy some fresh air.

Meds and Single Digits

Well, I got a chance to see a doctor and he got me hooked up with some meds to take care of this Upper Resp. Infection. I am so glad I am on my way to getting well again.

And, it is ridiculously cold, so we aren't going outside at all today. I think we will play some basketball,  jump on our mini trampoline, and make a fort inside today.

Stay warm today!

cold

I wish I could say I didn't have to go anywhere tomorrow, but I really need to go to the doctor. I know I have a double ear infection and could really use some meds to get this taken care of. However, I am thinking that the office might close due to the ice we will be experiencing on the roads tonight/tomorrow. I will just give them a call in the morning and pray they can see me. I will brave the one mile drive to get some meds if they can see me tomorrow.

In other news, I have to get some housework done tomorrow, so it is a great opportunity to do so since we can't go for a walk or play outside.

Off to check the weather report again and snuggle in for the night.

Laughter Inside

 I woke up to "gunshots" and guessed it was midnight. (Since I live in/close to the ghetto) hahahah

Happy New Year!! 

http://youtu.be/UKTXB97Kbvs