Happy Halloween

Day 30: One last moment

Our newest family member. Her name is Nova. She is currently 12 weeks old. Full blooded German Shepherd. The kids (well.. except Nathan) love her. Nathan is still warming up to her. She is settling in well. She is a real sweetheart and I know that as she grows and the kids grow that they will each love each other more than we ever thought possible.

And there you have it.. 30 days of me!

Day 29: Your aspirations

I just want to be used. To live this life and once I am done know that I have used all that I was given.

It's really that simple.

Day 28: Something that you miss

I miss childhood. The simplicity of it. Innocence.

I never worried over things as a child. Never thought about life and death. I just played, lived..

No bills. No responsibilities.

I didn't have to worry about caring for anyone.

I miss being a child, because as an adult I know what's out there in the world. That there are bad people and bad things do happen. People get sick, people die.

Childhood..

Day 27: Your Favorite Place

The beach. Plain and simple.

I used to look forward to going when I was little. My parents would wake me up in the wee hours of the morning and we would set off for the beach. When the sun started to rise we would stop for breakfast. I can still feel the butterflies I would get when we would start getting closer to the beach. I couldn't wait to get there and see the ocean.

I went to the beach on my honeymoon. Although, since it was March, it was still pretty cold. Kent and I still had a wonderful time and many memories were made.

I can still see the look on Jon Kent's face when he was finally old enough to know what going to the beach meant. He sprang out of bed that morning and was ready to go. When we finally got close enough so he could see the water, his eyes got huge and the biggest smile you could imagine came across his face. It was the perfect start to a great vacation.

The beach.. my favorite place.

Day 26: Your Fears

As a Christian I have been taught to cast all my cares upon God. To leave all my worries with Him.

As a human who has a fleshly nature.. I have fears.

I fear cancer. Any and all types. My fear doesn't discriminate. I know people, have had friends, read numerous blogs.. all with people who have cancer, have had cancer or who have died from cancer. I do not want to go through it myself and I certainly don't want any of my children or my husband to have to go through it.

It's something that is so unknown. Everyday it seems a new rare cancer is discovered. Seemingly healthy people die in a few months from the horrible disease. It doesn't care if you are young, old, rich, poor, black, white or purple.

I try not to let my mind stay in that fear or else I would let it consume me. Let it take away the life I am being allowed to have.. while I have it.

Day 25: A first

I don't know how to drive a stick shift. This is mainly my fault because I don't want to tear up some one's car in order to teach myself how.

However, Kent wanted to teach me how to drive one. He said I needed to know just in case I was stuck somewhere and the only way out was a manual car.

So we got in his daddy's truck.. And for those who know anything about Kent's daddy's truck you already know where this is heading...

Kent's daddy's truck would have to be the hardest stick shift in the world to learn on. It's a pain the buttocks to just change the gears. And even when you do it just perfectly.. you will still get whiplash.

Did I mention we were at the cemetery? Yes.. my momma had front row seats to this whole comedy of a driving lesson. It was the day after we buried her. We went back to make sure she was still there... I kid, I kid. We went back to make sure everything was finished and done properly.

ANYWAY, so I get in the driver's seat and start going. Tried to shift the gears and the car went dead. The next time I was able to get the car going and shift the gears. Then it was time to go to 2nd gear. All the while trying to go around a corner. I started freaking out.. Kent is rolling in the passenger's seat. I saw nothing funny about the situation. AND there were people roaming in the cemetery who were probably wondering why I was starting to drive in the grass.

Yeah..

I still don't know how to drive a stick.

Day 24: Something that makes you cry

Knowing that we will never get to carry the tradition of Thanksgiving at my house.

Day 23: Something that makes you feel better

Today is 8 months. So I could use a lot of something to make me feel better.

Kent. I can be so wound up about something and can talk to him and it just seems better.

My kids laughing. That real genuine laugh. Where when they are done they let out a sigh.

Running. I can have had a stressful day and to be able to just get out in the fresh air for an hour.. it does wonders for me.

Chocolate. Hmmm, good.

Reading my Bible. I try to do it first thing in the morning. Because when I do.. it sets me in the right direction for the rest of the day.. if I allow it.

Day 22: Something that upsets you

I can be upset easily. Put it's ususally over petty stuff.

What really upsets me and makes me sad and hurt and angry and frustrated is knowing that my momma will never see what my children grow up to be. That all this living that they are doing.. that I am doing.. she doesn't get to be a part of. I know there is a bigger picture here. But I am still human and I still very much miss my momma. I miss her the most when it comes to my kids. I grieve the hardest for them.

Day 21: Another Moment

This was taken the weekend of Thanksgiving. What a weekend that was. It's what I hold on to when I miss her. We made great memories that weekend.

Day 20: This Month

October...

The month before the madness of birthdays and holidays. The calm before the storm.. although it's a "happy storm".

So far this month we have just done our usual. School, homework, playing around, church.. We have done a lot of yard work. A lot. I believe we are done.. for now. We are fixing to welcome a dog into the family. That should be fun.. or not. I'm not what you would call an animal person. I figure I am doing good keeping up with 3 kids and a husband. And now to throw a dog into the mix. We'll see. He or she might become my buddy. We are going this weekend to look at a few puppies.

Speaking of this weekend.. The kids are going to Alabama Thursday for some much needed spoiling from the family. They will be gone until Monday. So that means Kent and I get a whole weekend alone. We are both looking forward to it. Although, I already feel somewhat guilty about being away from my babies. But I know they will be well taken care of and they are looking forward to it. They were thrilled to know that Kent and I wouldn't be coming along. Which means they know they will get spoiled rotten without parental intervention. So really, it's a win/win for everyone.

Now.. on to Halloween!

Day 19: Something You Regret

There are things in my life that I regret. But can live with. Learn from. Move on from.

One thing that will always hang heavy in my heart was not telling my momma that I loved her the last time we talked.

What hurts the most is right after we said bye and I was pulling the phone away from my ear to hang it up is I had a urging in my heart to tell her that I loved her. And I thought to myself, I'll tell her next time.

Never was a next time.

Regret, regret, regret.

Most days I can deal with it. Because I know she knew I loved her. I take peace in the fact that our last conversation was a pleasant one. Full of excitement about us going home for a few days. It was a good conversation.

It just didn't end the way it should have.

If I could have that moment back I would take it.. and change it. I would tell her I loved her more than she would ever know and more than I ever knew I did.

Day 18: Your Favorite Birthday

I've had several great birthdays. In fact, all my birthdays are great because it means I was blessed with another year.

My birthday when I was around 6 or 7 was nice. Got to swim with friends and ride horses.

My 13th birthday was memorable because Kent was supposed to come, but ended up not coming. I called him a jerk and loser that day. My friends were great though. They lifted my spirits and we ended the day with a water balloon fight.

My 22nd birthday was nice. I believe it fell on Mother's Day that year. Or it was at least during the same weekend. Kent went all out. We had a date day that Saturday. Went shopping, out to eat, etc. It was nice. Jon Kent was like 6 months old at the time and I was 2 months pregnant with Zoey. I still think of that weekend just about every year when my birthday rolls around.

But my all time favorite birthday would have to be my 15th birthday. I went that afternoon to get my driver's permit. I passed, so on the way home my daddy let me drive. I believe he only had to take hold of the steering wheel once that day. When I got home my momma was in the kitchen cooking and getting ready for my party. The whole house smelled good. Soon, all my friends and my new boyfriend (Kent) would be there. Once everyone got there we had a blast talking, playing badminton and just hanging out. It was late when everyone finally went home. It was so simple and I guess that's why I remember it so well and fondly.

Day 17: Your Favorite Memory

No doubt it was June 9th, 2001. The day Kent proposed to me. I was shocked and surprised and happy.

Kent and my daddy had been working on a video of Kent reciting a poem that he had written to me before hand. I knew nothing of it.

On the day Kent proposed he was supposed to come over for pizza and to watch a movie. I had just gotten dressed in some lounge shorts and a tank top. My hair was still wet and curly wild. I walked out of my room and my daddy asks, "You're wearing that?" Which I thought was odd because we were just hanging out at the house and why was my daddy suddenly interested in my apparel? I just brushed it off and waited on Kent.

Kent gets to my house and he has on some slacks and a polo shirt. What is up with that? Again, call me naive but I still thought nothing of it.

Kent pops the movie in and the previews start. I get up to check on some new kittens that my cat had had a few days before. Kent kept telling me to come sit down. I told him I would in a minute. Kent kept telling me to come on and sit down. Annoyed, I did so.

About that time the screen pops up where it says, "And now for your featured presentation". Then the movie starts out with brown shoes and Kent's voice. The camera slowly goes up Kent's body all the while he is reading this poem to me. The poem was about how love isn't a feeling, but it's a commitment that you make to someone for the rest of your life. At the end the camera stops on Kent's face and he says, "And now Emily, I make that commitment to you." I look over at Kent who was sitting on the couch and he was now on one knee with the ring asking me to marry him. He said, "Will you marry me?" I then asked if he was joking. He said no and repeated the question. I, of course, said yes and the rest is O'ville history.

Day 16: Your First Kiss

I was four years old and it was with a neighbor boy up the road. Yes, 4. So I really don't count that as my first because it was innocent child's play. We were mocking what we saw on TV.

My first "real" kiss was with Kent. How it seems my stories all come back to him.

I was 15 years old. It was June 1998. A group of us were all standing around in my high school parking lot. I forget why we were even there. Maybe a band practice or something. No clue. Anyway, we were all saying our good-byes. I was fixing to leave and Kent and I were standing there holding hands and were both trying to find the right way to go about this first kiss thing. Finally, I just swiftly leaned in, kissed him and told him good-bye. I walked away and then turned back around to him and smiled. Like.. did that just really happen?

I still tease him sometimes that I actually made the first move. ;)

Day 15: Your Dreams

I am going to take this as what I would like my world to be like. And no so much about what I dream at night. Although, my dreams at night could be interesting to tell. But I'll save that for another time.

When I think about my life.. what it's been.. where I want it to be.. It always comes back to just wanting to be content. Be happy with what I have. I want to see the green grass on my side of the fence and not look at the other side's grass at all. You know. Just be happy.

I want my kids to always be healthy. I want them to each live long and healthy lives. And to also be content with what their life has come to be. I want them to try hard and make the most of what they have. I want them to make lifelong friends, accept Jesus at their Savior, go to college, find spouses and have healthy children of their own. And I want to be around to see all that.

I want to be useful in my life. For someone to miss me when I'm gone because I made their life better.

I want to be that friend that immediately pops into someone mind when they are in need. Because they know I will be there to help them, to listen.

My dreams are simple in my mind. I think they are very much attainable, if I give myself half a chance to achieve them.

Day 14: What I Wore Today

Why is this in here twice? And so close together? Either way.. that is what I wore (am currently wearing) today. My comfy pants and my South Carolina Girl shirt. My favorite t-shirt that I wear way too much. Oh and sunglasses on my head. I just came back from taking Zoey to school. Yes, dressed like that. I didn't have to get out of the car, thankfully. I do plan to change before I take the kids to the library later. Maybe.

So don't be jealous of my ultra hip mommy attire. Because I know.. secretly.. you really are. ;)

PS: Sorry if you can't see the picture too well. Didn't realize how dark it was until I loaded it. And no time to retake a picture. Got stuff to do while Nathan naps!!

Day 13: This Week

Well, it's just now Wednesday so the week isn't over yet. So I'll just tell you what we have been up to in the last 7 days.

We put up Halloween decorations. Although that was earlier last week. I got some mums to put on the front porch. We have three jack-o-lanterns in front of the house and then two blow up type decorations. I think it looks nice all around. I am not a huge decorator for Halloween, but the kids like it and I guess that is all that matters. We also went shopping for costumes. Jon Kent will be Mario and Nathan will be Luigi from the Mario Brothers. Zoey is a Princess Butterfly. They all three look adorable, if I do say so myself. Pictures will have to wait though until the big night!

My daddy came in for a visit over the weekend. He did some projects with Kent in the backyard. Fixing the fence and building a shed. We are getting a puppy in our very near future, so we are trying to get the backyard ready for that.

While my daddy was in town, Kent and I got a date night. We went to see the movie "The Social Network". We also did some Christmas shopping and made a stop at Starbucks. We enjoyed our night out. Daddy took the kids to Wal-Mart to pick out a toy and then on to McDonald's for supper. I was told they had a blast. They were all asleep by the time Kent and I got back home.

Monday, Kent had off for Columbus Day. The kids still had to go to school though. Once they were off to school and my daddy left to head back home I cleaned. And cleaned. And then took a night long run/walk. I ended up running around 2 miles and walking 2 miles. It was nice.

Yesterday was a lazy day. I stayed in my pajamas for most of it and once the kids were home from school we just lounged around. Kent and the boys played video games some and we also played outside before bedtime.

As for today.. same ole same ole. Get up, take one kid to school, come home, play, do laundry, take another kid to school, fix lunch, put the last kid down for a nap, do housework or whatever needs doing, get last kid dressed and then go get two kids from school. Now, I am fixing to start supper and finish up homework with the kids. Then it will be time for church. Then the mad dash home to get the kids ready for bed.

See, and you thought I just sat around all day and watched soaps!

Day 12: What's in your bag

Thankfully, I just switched purses so mine was fairly clean when I took this picture.

My purse is in the background. It's a knock off of some brand. Forget which. It used to be my momma's and I drooled over it's bigness when she used to carry it around.

I currently have in my purse my reading/driving glasses, camera case, wallet, checkbook, tylenol and two pens. After I took the picture and was putting the stuff back in I found my lip gloss, too. But I am way too lazy today to retake the picture.

I usually have my sunglasses in my purse, but I wore them today and they are sitting on the computer desk. And my purse is usually loaded down with receipts, grocery lists, gum wrappers, etc.

So there you have it.. It's what's in my bag.

Day 11: What You Wore Today

I spent the first half of my day in pajama pants. And even had to walk Jon Kent into school wearing said pajama pants because we were running late this morning and apparently so was half the school since the car line was so long this morning. I looked like such a cool mom with my pink fleece snowflake pants on. I am glad that Jon Kent doesn't know to be embarrassed, yet.

As for the rest of the day, the above picture would be it. That's my running clothes. Tank, running shorts, shoes, etc. Usually I have on a hat, but by the time I took the picture I had already taken it off.

So there you go. Don't get all jealous of my glamorousness.. yeah.. I think I just made that word up.

Day 10: Your Siblings

I have one brother.

He is 31 years old.

He is married and has one boy.

He has another boy on the way.

He used to love to play baseball.

And collect baseball cards.

He now loves all things Auburn.

He used to get on my nerves.

Like most brothers do.

But now, since we are adults and all.

He only sometimes gets on my nerves.

Like every year when we go to the beach.

He always throws seaweed on me.

He is funny.

He has a great personality.

He is my big bubba.

I love him.

Day 9: My Beliefs

I believe in God. I believe He is the creator of everything. I believe He sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that after 3 days Jesus arose from the dead. I believe that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. By accepting Him as your Savior and Lord. Works won't save you, your beliefs won't save you, your grandmama won't save you, being good won't save you. Only the blood of Jesus will save you. I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. God's very breath is in the Bible. I believe that once you are saved, you are always saved. That while I may mess up and sin, that God is still gracious and just to forgive me of those sins. I believe that God is a loving God, but God also is a just God.

This is my belief.

Day 8: A Moment

Which one? I've had many moments. 27 years of moments. Good, bad, happy, sad. Tons of moments. And I'm supposed to pick just one?

It was March 2004. I forget the day. But for one reason or another I took a pregnancy test. I don't know why I did. I was just told days before that I didn't ovulate. I took one anyway. I peed on the stick and walked out of the bathroom. Kent was in the living room and we just waited. It had to be the longest 3 minutes. I go back in there.. look at the stick.. sit it down. Slowly walk back out of the bathroom and told Kent I was pregnant. Again. This would be my third pregnancy of which the first two ended in miscarriage. Kent turned white. Like seriously, the blood left his face. I paced up and down our very small and slanted hallway. I called my parents. My daddy answered the phone. With a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes I told him I was pregnant and to start praying that we got to keep this baby. I hung up the phone, went into my kitchen and took my progesterone pill. I was scared to death.

Day 7: Your Best Friend

I have two.

My first best friend is Lesli. We met in 2nd grade. We were in between assignments in class, so we started talking and playing "house" with our trapper keepers (who remembers those?). We sat our trapper keepers up to look like houses and were pretending to live in them. Come on, give us a break. We were 7 years old! We remained friends all through school except for a period of about a year during our senior year of high school. After we graduated and I was married, we became friends again. We can go days or even weeks without talking to each other (although we rarely do) but still pick up right where we left off. She has been through so much with me and I with her.

My other best friend would be Kent. He knows me inside and out. He knows my deepest and darkest secrets. He has been with me through good times and bad times. He has been my rock, shoulder, everything. Kent has been there at my lowest points and pulled me through. He listens when I need someone to talk things through. He has held me when I've cried uncontrollably. He is just my everything. He is my best friend, but so much more.

Day 6: Your Day

My days are basically the same. But every now and then, things change up and we do it differently. Today.. isn't one of those days. Today, I have done what I do best.. do the mundane mom thing.

5:45am: Wake up and lay in the bed hoping that the alarm clock is an hour or two fast.

6:05am: Start making the kids lunches and then start breakfast.

6:20am: Wake up Jon Kent and Zoey.

6:30am: Serve breakfast and go start picking out clothes for the kids.

6:50am: Start dressing everyone, brushing teeth and hair.

7:05am: Load up the kids to take them to school.

7:15am: Let Jon Kent and Zoey (she went to school early today) out at school.

7:30am: Get back home and start laundry.

7:45am: Eat breakfast myself.

8am: Playing with Nate. Dress him up in his Halloween costume and attempt to take some pictures. Put in another load of clothes to wash. And just all around try to entertain Nathan. Oh, and clean up after Nathan peed all in the bathroom floor.

10:20am: Go pick up Zoey from school.

10:40am: Start cooking lunch for Nate and myself and puy Zoey's costume on for some pictures.

11am: Eat lunch.

11:20am: Play with the kids and continue to do laundry. AND again, clean up from where Nathan peed in the bathroom floor. He is waiting too long to go to the potty.

12:15pm: Go pick up Jon Kent from school (today was an early dismissal from school).

12:30pm: Get home and let Jon Kent try on his costume and get some pictures.

1:15pm: Get some snacks for the kids and finish the last load of laundry.

1:25pm: Clean some spots on my carpet.

1:45pm: Start this blog post.

And here is what is *planned for the rest of the day..

Go outside and play.

Take a shower and maybe get in my Bible study.

Do homework with the kids.

Give the kids a bath before supper.

Make supper.

Go to church.

Come home and brush teeth and get the kids in the bed.

Maybe, just maybe.. get to rest for a little bit.

Day 5: Your Definition of Love Day

Love Day? Is that supposed to mean Valentine's Day?

Either way, I love Valentine's Day. I know it's a card company ploy to get you to buy cards and gifts, etc. But I still love it. It's a day solely devoted to showing, telling, being love.

In the same thought, I think every day would be a form of love day. Showing your family, friends, even strangers that you love (care about) them. We are all to "love one another". And that's not just on a specific day. But everyday.

Again, however, I still love Valentine's Day. And actually look forward to it each year.

So, I guess you could say I love "Love Day".

Day 4: What You Ate Today

Today was a Monday around here. Which usually means busy, busy, busy. Trying to get the house back in order from the weekend and getting laundry done. Along with taking Jon Kent to school and then running errands, taking Zoey to school and fighting Nathan about a nap today and well.. my eating wasn't all that great. So.. for today I had... A bowl of Cinnimon Toast Crunch for breakfast, a couple hand fulls of chips and grapes (not pictured) and then for supper I had tacos and grapes (not pictured) and yogurt for dessert (also not picture).

**Blogger is currently not letting me load pictures so if I get time later to fight with Blogger I might have pictures.. doubt it though**

Day 3: My Parents

My parents were married on May 1, 1976.

My momma was a bookkeeper and later branch manager of Regions Bank. She worked there for 30+ years. My momma went to every sporting event I was in. She made sure to be at every band performance and competition. She went on almost all my field trips in high school. She was a wonderful momma. I didn't always see that. But she was. She did and wanted only the best for me. She took up for me and sheltered me. She was a wonderful Gramsie to my children and I am forever grateful for the 26 years I had with her. Although 26 years still doesn't seem like enough.

My momma passed away on February 23, 2010.

My daddy is a high school math teacher. He is retired from teaching in Alabama but is on his 2nd round of high school teaching in Georgia. My daddy also never missed a game or band activity. Even at one point telling the doctor in the hospital (he was in for kidney stones and then got pneumonia) that he needed to get home and to one of my soccer games. He didn't make it that night but did the next game.. he sat in his car and watched. My daddy.. well he's my daddy. I am a daddy's girl without any doubt. He is a wonderful and wise man. I can talk to him about anything, just about. I am so thankful to have him in my life. And prayerful that he will be in my life for many moons to come.

Those are my parents. Thankful for them and thankful to them.

Day 2: Your First Love

So, easy. It was Kent.

Seriously, it was!

I have proof!

I was in 5th grade and Kent and I were "boyfriend, girlfriend". I told my best friend that I was going to marry Kent one day. Even wrote it in my diary. And yes, I still have that diary!!!

Granted, that probably was more puppy love than "real love". But he was my first.

Even after breaking up with me and shattering my little elementary school heart, I still wanted to marry him one day.

It took me 5 years (to get him as a boyfriend- not a husband- obviously).. but I finally got him back.

May 2, 1998, we became an "official" couple. I have "real loved" him ever since.

Day 1: Introduce

My name is Emily. I was born on Friday, May 13, 1983. I was born in a small town in Alabama. I grew up with both my parents married (to each other) and an older (by 4 years) brother. I was your average tomboy. I loved to climb trees, play baseball and get dirty. Occasionally you would see me with sparkly shoes on.. but I usually was also sporting a baseball hat.

I was married on March 16th, 2002 to my high school sweetheart and long time friend, Kent.

I was saved (born again Christian) on November 11, 2003. It was the most important day of my life. It directed my eternity to heaven, not hell.

November 15, 2004 I welcomed my first born child into this word at 5:05pm. Jon Kent made me a momma that day.

December 2, 2005 I welcomed my first and only daughter into this world. At 7:07 am Zoey made my heart grow in more ways than I thought possible.

April 7, 2008 at 12:50 pm I welcomed my final (I think) child into this world. Nathan shook up our family dynamic, but only for the better.

Currently, I am 27 years old. A wife to one and a momma to three. I stay-at-home and raise my children. I love to run, read and relax. I love having date nights with my husband (although they are few and far between now a days) and I love planning fun things for us to do as a family. I currently live in South Carolina, which is 2 states away from family. But we have only enjoyed our time here. We have an incredibly loving church and wonderful friends that we have made since moving here.

I am thankful for the many blessings God has provided for my family and myself.

So there you have it.. we are now introduced.