November's "I'm Thankful" Challenge

I'm participating in a Facebook challenge, but instead of adding it on Facebook, I'll make an ongoing blog post.

11/1/12:  I'm thankful for having the opportunity of motherhood.  What a fun, scary, overwhelming and blessed roller coaster ride!

11/2/12:  I'm thankful that I know what kind of person that I don't want to become in life.

11/3/12:  I'm thankful that I have a house to call home.  Even though it has caused us a lot of stress over the past few months, it still gives us shelter.  It's still our home.  

11/4/12:  I'm thankful for the mornings that everyone wakes up happy.  That is such a great start to my day!

11/5/12:  I'm thankful there's only a few months of cold weather.  

My first Influenster VoxBox

I received my first free test products from Influenster.

Inside the box was 3 full size Palmolive Fresh Infusions dish soaps.

Not only is it awesome to receive free items, but you also get coupons and Influenster wants you to share!  I plan to share with my Mom.

The scents are unique and smell great.  The three scents are Lemon Thyme, Lime Basil and Ginger White Tea.  I've only used one so far (Ginger White Tea), which was my favorite of the three.  It smells lovely and fresh.  The dish soap lathered and washed great.  Also, I like the shape of the bottles.  

I hope I get chosen to receive another VoxBox in the future.  This was a fun experience.

Thanks, Influenster!  

Let them be little.

A child's innocence is magical and beautiful.  My children's innocent ways help me live young at heart and see good in the world.  I know as they get older, they will lose their innocent ways, but I wish I could bottle it up.  

Caden was talking to me about Bragen, Sarah and a mean boy.  The girls don't like the boy because he chased them and then they chased the boy.  This was a serious story he shared with me.  I wish this would be the most serious event he would experience in life.  Unrealistic, yes, I know. 

Rob and I don't always agree on everything, but we do agree on never talking about adult life around the kids.  We don't talk about the news, money, relationship issues, etc.  This could most definitely be too sheltering to some parents.  You can teach your children about money without worrying them about bills.  You can teach your children about "stranger danger" without letting them hear about the little girl that was raped and killed.  Our approach is to let them be little.  They have the rest of their life to worry.  Preserve that innocence. 

A work in progress

Assuming that all goes well with the surveying and DHEC appointment, this will be the future location of our home.

It is .91 acres on a cul-de-sac.  We have a lot of clearing to do, but even with that expense, we got an exceptional deal on the size.  The lot beside us is selling for $24,000 more than what we paid and is smaller.  Ours was bank owned, which is how we got such a great price.  We have 30 days to change our mind, but as long as we don't receive any negative news with DHEC, we have no desire to do so. 

I will keep you all updated with the progress!

30th Birthday Wish

Last week, Rob asked me what I want to do for my 30th birthday.  I want to run.  A 5k?  A 10k?  I don't know yet.  I've never ran other than in high school when we had to run the mile for P.E. or that one time in a nightmare when I was being chased by a scary.  I've always wanted to participate in some type of run, but that seems far fetched for someone that doesn't run.  Participating in a run usually requires RUNNING.  What a concept!  Once my 29th birthday rolls around in several weeks and we're finished with Insanity, I'm going to start running.  It will probably be more like hobbling/walking, but you have to start somewhere.  It is better to start at any level than never starting due to the fear that you can't do it.  This blog will hold me to some sort of accountability, too.  Lets do this!

Buddies

After I had Caden, I couldn't comprehend loving another child.  The love a mother has for her child is so overpowering.  How could your heart handle that much love?  Even while pregnant with Adalyn, I still wondered, but I reminded myself how easy it was to love Caden.  I just did.  He did nothing but breathe and I was head over heels.  From the moment I held him in my arms, I knew that I would let nothing harm him and I would give my life for him.  Loving another child had to be the same.  It's just a maternal thing, right?!  Well, it was.  My heart is so full of love each and everyday.  What makes loving two little people even better?  Watching those two little people interact and be buddies.  I could watch Caden and Adalyn play together all day.

Double the work, double the love.

An announcement

Rob was offered a job a few days after his interview back in December, which he accepted.  He'll be working at Duke Energy Oconee Nuclear Station.  We'll be moving to Clemson, SC in May.  Rob didn't feel comfortable with making a big announcement so that's why it's been a little shady about locations.  We're very excited about moving to this area.  It's a small town, but small isn't a bad thing. :)