SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

I got an e-mail asking you to take the first two words and complete the sentence. I thought it was a very self-reflective task so I wanted to post it. I challenge everyone to do the same. It made me think....which is good because sometimes I go through my day too busy to reflect. Try it...I dare you!

I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A PROJECT.
I WANT A VACATION
I WISH TOBY WAS HERE
I HATE IGNORANCE
I MISS TOBY LAYING NEXT TO ME AT NIGHT
I FEAR NOT BEING THE KIND OF MOM MY BOYS NEED ME TO BE
I HEAR ROXY SNORING
I SMELL FRESH SHEETS
I CRAVE A HUG FROM TOBY
I SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR EVERYTHING…AN ADDICTION
I WONDER IF MY KIDDOS KNOW HOW LOVED THEY ARE
I REGRET EVER BEING GRUMPY…I HAVE NOTHING TO BE GRUMPY ABOUT.
I LOVE MY HOME
I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE GOODWILL OF OTHERS
I ACHE FOR TOBY’S HUGS
I ALWAYS TAKE ON TOO MUCH
I BELIEVE IN OPTIMISM
I DANCE TO MAKE MY KIDS LAUGH…AND TOBY TOO.
I SING TO MY KIDS ALL THE TIME….HORRIBLY
I CRY RARELY
I DON’T ALWAYS PRIORITIZE WELL…I PICK FUN OVER NECESSITY
I FIGHT OVER THINGS I BELIEVE IN
I WRITE TOO MUCH ON MY BLOG…NOT ENOUGH IN A JOURNAL
I NEVER WANT TOBY, JACK, OR SAM TO GO A DAY WITHOUT FEELING APPRECIATED
I LISTEN NOT CAREFUL ENOUGH TO WHAT JACK IS TRYING TO SAY…HE IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES
I NEED SOME DOWN TIME
I AM HAPPY EVERYDAY….IT’S A CHOICE

Birthday Wishes and Tags

Jack turned two today. We started the day with candles on a pancake and singing "Happy Birthday" then on to school where he had cookies with his friends. Then home to watch Cars and play with his trains. Then a quiet night with Mom and Sam. I can't believe it has been two years. Where did the time go? What I hope to remember most about him right now is his learning to talk voice, his kissing games, love of trains, the way he runs everywhere he goes, how much he loves his brother and dad, how he loves to chase, his chubby cheeks, how he says hand when he wants to take you and show you something, and how he says Amen several times after every prayer. I love you so much Jack....you make me proud to be a mother.

On to the tags. I have been tagged twice this week. So kind of both Erin and Jessica.

OK...Here are the rules!Link to the person who tagged you, and post the rules in your post
Share 7 random/weird facts about yourself Tag 7 random people at the end of your blog and link to their blogs Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

So here goes...7 random things about myself.

#1 - I fall asleep in my clothes...a lot...my husband does not understand this. It does not bother me that bad. If I am not sleeping in my clothes then I sleep in soft nighties. I love them.

#2 - I love soft things. I will sit and rub them and cuddle them.

#3 - I have a really strong sense of smell. I HATE STINKY THINGS!

#4 - I have been to Disney World over 20 times...and still LOVE it.

#5 - I act silly...really silly where my kids will probably think I am crazy. I break out in song or dance a lot and come up with crazy dares and usually try to get others involved.

#6 - My car is ALWAYS a mess. No matter how hard I try it gets messy again.

# 7 - I am spoiled by my husband. He usually entertains my every whim, vacations, remodels, decorating, etc. He brings me water to bed and turns out all the lights.

Memories - Tag

Rules: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people & posts their names, then goes to their blog & leaves them a comment letting them know that they have been tagged & asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

10 YEARS AGO I was...

1. Attending Baylor University

2. Living in a dorm with Ashley Edison

3. Playing a lot of SkipBo

4. Dating a guy named Ben Murr

5. Having a lot of fun and dancing all the time

5 THINGS ON TODAY'S TO-DO LIST
1. Celebrate Jack - he turned 2 today

2. Pay Bills
3. Clean
4. Meeting for Room Mother at Jack's school

5. Pay off Disney trip

5 THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A MILLIONAIRE
1. Donate a large portion to my church and go to Africa with the missions team
2. Let my parents retire and just be grandparents
3. Get rid of any debt
4. Start building our dream home

5. Have Toby the most awesome custom motorcycle built

5 PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Sycamore, IL
2. Arlington, TX

3. Mansfield, TX

4. Waco, TX

5. That's It! Sometimes though I dream of moving.

5 JOBS I'VE HAD
1. Rocking Horse Academy

2. Shelton's
3. Del Frisco's

4. Frulatti Cafe
5. Bath and Body Works

Christmas Gifts, Already?!?!?!

I have finished my first Christmas present. I am really feeling the creative vibe this year and am going to make a lot of my Christmas gifts. This one is for my sister-in-law...I hope she doesn't read this blog! Her room is black, white, and red. I hope she LOVES it all. (None of it is quite as bright as the picture makes it out to be....I am a horrible photographer!) I am going to attach a black and white ribbon to the chalkboard, the cross needs a little distressing, and the candles are finished. FUN!
My next project I am working on is for the centerpiece for my kitchen table when it is NOT a holiday. I have been frustrated over this for a long time. I saw on For Love of My Home something similar to this and LOVED it. I love the idea of having your silverware accessible at all times. I am embroidering our monogram on a stack of linen napkins to keep in the tray with it as well. I will post more pics when finished. Thanks Blanca! You always have such great ideas.

Loving My View and a GREAT GIVEAWAY

First things first....there is a great giveaway over at Glitter and Bliss. She is giving away one of her fabulous necklaces (I already ordered one and can't wait to get it in the mail). You should definitely go over to her blog and check it out. Her ETSY site is great too. Just click here to go straight to her giveaway post.

When I was doing dishes this morning at my new sink I opened the back door to let Jack play outside and I was so happy with the view. We put a flower bed directly out from the back door so that I could see it from the sink and today when I looked out it was blooming like crazy. Many colors and different types of flowers and it made me smile and marvel at how many ways God shows his strength and beauty. I am no gardener but to me it was beautiful. I love my home and the comfort it brings to me and my family. Thank you God for the blessing that is our humble abode.

I guess Sammer's liked the view too....when did he get SO big. Today he took several steps while holding onto the couch.

Kid's Bathroom

Today was a very relaxing Sunday. After teaching Sunday school I had a great lunch with my mom and two boys. We then came home and all three of us took a snooze. Then back out with my mom to walk around Home Goods and Michaels....and guess what.....we actually did not buy a thing. Just browsing. Then home to put my adorable boys to bed. They both had a really great day and it was quite relaxing. As I was giving them their bath I looked around and just loved their kid bath. So I decided to post a few pics of their bathroom. Mr. Tanner and I tiled it and added the beadboard awhile back and then painted it and made it kid friendly. Everything in the bathroom was very inexpensive and it was a pretty cheap redo. It is a fun bathroom and definitely the most colorful room in the house. All I still want is a little lamp and I need to get a towel made with Sam's name on it. Hope you like.

I've Been Tagged

I have been tagged for the first time by Sandy Toes over at A Shell in My Pocket. Thanks so much for tagging me and you all should check out her blog....it is fantastic. She tagged me with a book blog and the rules are as follows....

Grab the nearest book. Open the book to page 56. Find the fifth sentence. Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your journal/blog along with these instructions. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST. Tag five other people to do the same.

I have a book literally about three feet from me on my end table. It is Secrets of Style published by Southern Living.

"Sunny hued walls, maple cabinets, and red-and-gold valances at the windows unify and support the design motif across three different living areas: the kitchen, breakfast room, and living room. Common colors and textures play an important role in a large, open arrangement by creating a smooth transistion from one space to the next."

My book was not very interesting without the pictures...SORRY!

I tag.......whoever would like to participate.....anyone who would like to keep the love alive.

Happy Birthday Jack

We celebrated Jack's second birthday today with lots of friends and family. He is SO into Thomas the Train so that was the only fitting theme for his party. We had it all bounce house, pizza, pinata, cookies, cake, ice cream, and a candy station. Jack had a good time but was definitely overwhelmed. He got lots of great presents and was plum wore out by the end of the day. So were Mommy and Daddy! I can't believe it has been two years....time flies. He is one of the most independent, strong willed, determined little boys with a big sweet heart and the most adorable laugh. We are so blessed that he came into our lives! Happy Birthday our sweet boy.