It's that time of year again!

Where I start freaking out about party plans! Not to toot my own horn, but we have some pretty cute parties for Miss Charli. This year we are planning a "Candy" themed party. I am so excited about this! Remember my love for these:

image via google
p.s. my jars will be filled w/ candy not soap!

I cannot wait to use them to create something kinda like this:

Via hostessblog.com

Via google

Via hostessblog.com

Hello Love:

This is my banner -- want to see the full imagine?
Click here

& I could just die for this:


But first things first, I better not get to ahead of myself before I get these in the mail--

via: Little Beane Boutique

ahhh, I LOVE them!!
& yes I am yelling because I am so excited!

This party will be taking place on April 3rd. So be prepared for a butt load of pictures to hit you in the face on blogspot around uhm April 3rd around ten p.m.
ha!

Top 2 Tuesday - TV Shows

Jimmy Choos & a Baby too
Top 2 Tuesday
T.V. shows!

1. Everyone knows my numero uno favorite show of all time is no other than Grey's Anatomy. Call me obsessed...I'll take it. But I'll even cancel a date on a Thursday if it's during Grey's time! ha! No -- we do not have dvr or anything to that sort. I've heard it's amazing but we haven't went all high tech just yet. We're from Southern Kentucky, what can I say?


2. Bridezilla -- Hello my Sunday nights after work! I love watching these ladies go crazy then look beautiful in the end. I love all wedding shows though! But I promise I will never be one of these girls.

Other Wedding shows I <3>

Awkward Moments

I am the queen of "awkward moments" and I absolutely hate it whenever these moments seem to present them selves to me. I know that all of you Mama's know what I'm talking about when I say that once you have a baby, random people start talking to you about random things. But it seems more and more here lately people are telling me sad, down right depressing things about their lives and children.

I've had a man to tell me that his grandchild was ran over {just a few days before seeing me} that was the same size as charli {and he pointed at her, saying it out loud to her}. I was stunned at the fact that he just told me this in front of my child and not to mention I had no idea where that even came from, being that he just walked in the store and said it to me. Yes, I gave him my sympathy and I feel extremely bad for their family please do not think that I am trying to be rude, I'm just pointing out the fact that people like to make me the center of their awkward moments.

The other day at Arby's while Charli Beth and I were snacking on some onion petals, this lady starts telling me how adorable Charli is. Not being to confident but I am used to that part, haha. Then she gets into the conversation that she has two daughters one whom is now grown and the other is deceased. She died in a car wreck at the age of 15, the Mother told me that "she let her go out with a girl she didn't know, and she shouldn't have. She was killed in a car wreck, and hates that ------ ------ still this that day" I had no idea what to say except once again tell her how very sorry that I am. Although, I wanted to explain to her that my daughter is only four and was going to ask what all of that meant.

I cannot say that I would not act that way if I were in their shoes, at all. But it seems that these things happen to me all of the time. It gets a bit overwhelming at times, and embarrasses me at others.

Do you all ever have these awkward moments happen to you or is it just my crazy life?

She is a BIG girl

It is official my "baby" is not a baby at all anymore. Where has time gone? I cannot believe that in a year she will be starting school, this year she will start preschool. What? I am not ready. She is ready and cannot wait to go...{I mean she thinks that she is but really she just wants to stay at home with Mommy forever}

Charli Beth's fourth birthday is coming up on April 6th. Yes, I said 4th! Wowzers! She is not taking a sippy cup anymore, hates her pull ups and is moving from her 4-1 crib (set like a daybed right now) into a big girl twin size bed today! I really haven't thought of her being in her crib still until I seen that it was fixing to be taken down to be stored in our basement until my sister or I have another little one.

I am in awe at the fact that all of this is taking place today and I am also not at home to take pictures of this process (huge tears, darn work!) I know that Charli will be so excited once she has her new bed up. We are hoping that changing into this size bed will cut down on how many times Charli falls out of the bed. She is a rollie pollie ollie whenever she sleeps, trust me she slept on my head this morning. I cannot wait to get home tonight and see how it all looks! I will post pictures as soon as we get everything situated!

What a bittersweet day =)

Check this (giveaway) out.

Head on over to TicTacDough's blog to see an entire set of giveaways themed by "Labor of Love" for expecting parents or Mommas. These giveaways are starting today 2/20 and last until 3/3! They already have some great giveaways that you can enter and not to mention the Jeep Stroller giveaway!! {The stroller looks pretty perfect for one of our kiddos or future babies}



It is very simple to enter these giveaways, so head on over and check out which ones you would want for your little ones!!

Winner Winner!!

Laura

The Humble Family

Please email me so that I can get your information to Emily!

You have 48 hours to contact me or I will have to pick another winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered!

I will be having more giveaways in the near future!

paigeleana@yahoo.com

How I miss the days..

Of Charli Beth being a big ole "bow head"!

The giveaway is now CLOSED. Thank you to everyone that entered. Charli will be drawing the winner tomorrow and it will be published soon after!

Don't forget about the giveaway that will be ending tomorrow night!

You can find it here!!

It's that darned ole rodeo!

His eyes are cold and restless

His wounds have almost healed
And she'd give half of Texas
Just to change the way he feels
She knows his love's in Tulsa
And she knows he's gonna go
Well it ain't no woman flesh and blood
It's that damned old rodeo

**look at her nose?? haha**

Well it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo

She does her best to hold him
When his love comes to call
But his need for it controls him
And her back's against the wall
And it's So long girl I'll see you
When it's time for him to go
You know the woman wants her cowboy
Like he wants his rodeo

Well it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
It'll drive a cowboy crazy
It'll drive the man insane
And he'll sell off everything he owns
Just to pay to play her game
And a broken home and some broken bones
Is all he'll have to show
For all the years that he spent chasin'
This dream they call rodeo

It's the broncs and the blood
It's the steers and the mud
--------

We had so much fun Saturday afternoon on our little Valentines date to the rodeo. We went last year and had a blast so I knew that I had to buy tickets again this year especially since this is the last year that Miss Priss is able to get in free (yes I am a cheap scape at times) After wards our date ended at Clifton Church, celebrating Valentines with the youth group. They made spaghetti, bread, salads, brownies, apple dumplins and were our little servers for the night. We aren't able to attend Clifton very much since I work 3rd on Saturdays and have to be back in at 2 on Sundays so I was not sure that they would let Charli Beth be apart of the serving. Sure enough they did though, and she just ate it up! Let me tell ya'll..she is the cutest little thing ever!
Yes, I am very partial to my child!

Please go by this blog and pray for this family!!

Valnetines dinner

On Friday, Mom and I met up with her MIL and SIL at Enchanted Celebrations here in the ville' for a Valentines Dinner. As you can see this place is adorable first of all and not to mention the food was delish. It was so fun to be able to enjoy company of others and a new place!

My lovely Mama and me

Mamaw & Aunt Vicki

Jeff & Janet
Jeff is running for Sheriff this year --- I would appreciate your vote for him ;o)

Beautiful.

The house that Enchanted Celebrations is located in is probably near or older than 100 years. The architecture in it is fabulous-- I love the wood work and the color of it! I believe this may just be the place that we will be having Charli's birthday party at this year! I am so excited for her birthday as always, I can't wait to share my ideas!
I made this heart picture for my parents as a simple gift this year. I thought it was cute and sweet with all of the different photos. You can find how to make one here, it is SO easy and you can make all kinds of shapes!

Happy Valentines Day!!
We love because, he first loved us - 1 John 4:19

Valentines Play Date

Every morning I have been going to our local YMCA to work out with my friend Shenna, while our girls go to the nursery to play for a little while. We had been planning to do a play date for a couple of weeks and then decided that a Valentines theme would work perfect. We weren't able to get very many pictures because they were wanting to "go go go."




Our craft didn't turn out the way that we exactly wanted but it was cute to be able to get their hand prints to save for later years. Charli Beth and I had tons of fun hanging out with our new friends! Hopefully we'll be sharing plenty of more play dates in the future!

Wordless

Thanks to tutu's & more for this adorable tutu that we received from a giveaway!

Top 2 Tuesday--Jobs!

My top 2 *dream* jobs are.... 1. Police Officer- Everything about this career describes me. I was working towards this and then decided that being a (single) Mom with normal hours is more important to me right now. Although, we never know what the future holds. 2. Paramedic - Maybe I just have a thing for lights & sirens? KIDDING. Since I already have my EMTs finished, I would love to take it a little higher and become a paramedic as well. Others that I would love are:L&D NurseTeacherBakery Owner - SAHM

Simple Pleasures

Last week I seen on Kelly's Korner that she posted about the "Simple Pleasures" in her life. You know those little things that only happen every so often. But whenever they do, it makes you smile, not only on the outside but right down in your soul too?

Sometimes we forget about the little things in life, even though the little things are what we cherish the most.

*A big belly laugh from Charli Beth
*Warm clothes out of the dryer
*Krispy Kreme doughnuts
*Fresh cut grass
*Watching the snow fall
*A {good smellin'} candle burning
*Sitting by the ocean at night
*Finishing a good book
*Being kissed on the forehead
*Getting my hair "did"
*When Charli Beth says "may you" "please" "thank you" a.k.a. her manners
*When she wipes her own butt
*A hot bath
*Seeing a proud smile on Charli's face when she learns something new
*Our local newspaper that comes out on Wednesdays
*A sweet text msg
*Swifter wipes, mmm..they smell so good!
*Tax season; hello money!
*Thinking about future babies
*Making a new friend

My list could probably go on forever. There are so many little things that I just love about life in general.

Thank you for all of the very sweet comments on my last post! You guys are so very kind. I am not half the Mom or woman that you all probably think that I am. I have such a wonderful family that are here for Charli Beth and I. By getting to know so many of you through your blogs, you inspire me to better than I am, so I thank you for that!

Answers

*Do you still have the same boyyyfriend?

--Eek. I don't exactly know how to answer this right now =/ but no I do not. It is so very hard to exactly say that we are not together when I am at a total loss of words over it tonight. My feelings for him are still strong as I believe his are for me. Maybe in time we will be back together, but then again maybe he will be with someone more fit for him. My life is slightly complicated and the other half that isn't complicated, I make it.

We did run into him today at a restaurant--it was so strange. Charli and I went in to wait for my friend Krystina to get there for her lunch break. The next thing I know someone taps me on the back and it is him. What in the hello? Well, he walks in and tells the lady in the front that he is there to meet people and she gave him the directions to my table. What? Seriously. Fate. Hmm.

*What is your favorite thing about living in a small town?

--I don't exactly have a one favorite thing about living in this 4 stop light town? (I think we have 4) I love how quiet it is. I love the country and how beautiful ,how you can look and see hills, trees, farms..it's perfect. I also love knowing everyone. I love how we do not have any traffic in our town, besides if a funeral possession is coming through and everyone stops to be polite. I am in my comfort zone here.

*Who is your favorite actresses?

-- Katherine Hiegl...Yes I love you Izzy Stephens, please come back to Grey's before I boycott!

*When is the weekend of Lil Angels Attic Sale & at what church is it located?

--to find all information out about the sale please go here: http://lilangelsattic.org

*Someone emailed me asking if it were okay if I answered if Charli's Father had ever be in her life so I've decided to go ahead and add it in on this since I don't speak about him on here. First off let me go ahead with the point that ...we'll call him D...is an addict. This being one of the very many reason that I hate drugs.

Yes, he was in her life for a short amount of time. I'll explain. Whenever I found out I was pregnant I had done away with him in my life. I had moved on to college and was slowly but surely letting go of the life that I had shared with him. Although, I did still love him, this was the "new me." I found out I was pregnant a short time after being at school and decided to come home to start over again. We barely spoke even though we were technically "together" but he was not welcome in my parents home--due to his lifestyle and whenever I was out it was impossible to get in touch with him. I seen him once the entire time that I was pregnant. At 27 weeks whenever I started having complications he was suppose to go to the doctor with me to see what the conditions were. I was scared, terrified, and thought maybe just maybe this would be the change in him, finally. He never called, showed or anything. I believe that was possibly the worst I've ever been let down. After that I can't exactly say that I talked to him again until after she was born. His family was generous enough to come to my baby shower to give an enormous amounts of gifts that I was beyond grateful for.

No, I didn't let him know whenever I was in labor.

I kept in contact with his Mom mainly through email and whenever she came up to visit. He had somehow managed to find his way home. After a lot of discussions with my family, his family and a long night at some cafe with him I decided to let him meet her. This was at four weeks. A few weeks later he was gone again. I guess the addiction was calling his name, something that I will never understand.

I made some incredible memories during that time, that my heart ached for after he was gone. I was alright though, with the help of my family I made it through those times. I stupidly let him back in our lives after she was a year old and to this day I think it was the worst decision I ever made. Soon after, I started seeing a lot of his "old ways" come back into our lives. At this point, I asked him to turn away from us and never look back. I was content in that moment, that this was something that had to be done for all of us.

Do I regret ever letting her in his life? Yes. I pray daily that she will never be anything like him but then again I pray for his salvation and addiction problems. I'm not sure that his family has any idea where he is now.

I feel in my heart that I have made the right decision whether some people think so or not. She is mine and only mine in my eyes. I gave her my last name and I am the only guardian listed on her birth certificate. The way that I see it is, as long as she has one wonderful parent that is all she needs. So I strive daily to be this parent, the one that I was meant to be.

Charli knows the word "Daddy" and after hearing her friends talk about their Dads she does sometimes ask. Frankly, it ticks me off, not only at him but at myself too. I am not perfect by any means I have failed in my time. But I picked my self up and did what had to be done.

Which reminds me of this quote that I found the other day:
"When I say "I am a Christian" I am not shouting "I am clean living." I am whispering "I was lost, now I am found and forgiven." When I say "I am a Christian" I do not speak of this with pride. I am confessing that I stumble and need CHRIST to be my guide. When I say "I am a Christian" I am not trying to be strong. I am professing that I am weak and need HIS strength to carry on. When i say " I am a Christian" I am not bragging of success. I am admitting I have failed and need GOD to clean my mess. When I say "I am a Christian" I am not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are far too visible, but GOD believes I am worth it. When I say "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain and I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon HIS name. When I say "I am a Christian" I am not holier than thou. I am just a simple sinner who received GOD's good grace, somehow."

The Down Low on this Momma

To be honest, I really didn't think I would have anyone ask any questions! Once again, I guess I thought wrong and that is a good thing!


1.What Faith are you? Do you regularly attend church?
-- I am baptist {as well as 95% of Kentucky folks}, although I attend a church of God church. There is just something about Brother Danny Patrick that touches my soul every time he speaks. I am not able to attend church regulary. I know, I know you're thinking what, how she is not able to. I work 3rd shift on Fridays and Saturdays and 2nd shift on Sundays. It really messes with the person I am and Sundays tend to be a very busy day for us. I want to start doing better with this and I plan to make it happen.


2. What is your favorite color?
--UK blue babyyy.


3. What is your favorite item of clothing?
-- Eek. This is a tough one. I really love my yoga pants. But then again I have this black dress that has bold flower prints of orange and hot pink {sounds ugly, maybe?} but I love it with my pink heels. I always feel amazing in it.


4. Do you make or buy Charli's hairbows?
-- haha, I buy these darlin' things. I am not creative what-so-ever. I wonder how much money I would be saving if I could make them?


5. Where are your favorite places to shop?
--I did a post about this recently so I'll go easy...Target for sure. I love everything they have. Any children's boutique that has my favorite brands, I am pretty much like a baby in a candy store when it comes to picking out things for Charli Beth.


6. How did you decide on the career path you have chosen?
--Let me start off by saying that my "chosen career path" is not where I am. I plan to start back to school in the fall. I decided to become a dispatcher while pursuring my EMT's with hopes of becoming a police officer also, which took a little longer than expected. I decided to become an EMT after the wreck I had in 2005. The city I work for has excellent benefits, all insurance is covered, you are not out of a dime...isn't that wonderful? Sadly, after two years of working for them I am still the only person that is not full time or has insurance. BOO on them. Whenever I decide on my career path, I will let ya'll know. I am pretty sure I know what I will be going into though.


7. What do you like most and dislike the most about your job?
--Like: The fact that everytime I answer the phone I am helping someone. That is a huge confidence boost in my life.
Dislike: the hours, the attitudes/fights, sitting in chair all day, having to see things happen to good people and children but not being able to do anything about it {this is why I should of been an officer} I have seen pictures of babies that break my heart into millions of pieces but what can I do? I throw the picture in the back of my mind and carry on.


8. Do you want more kids, if so boy(s) or girl(s)?
--Oh goodness yes, I want more babies! But I need a Hubby first? Anyone know of a prospect? Send him my way. haha! I would love to have 3 more, but I will be happy with how many ever babies I am blessed with in the future. I know I want another girl for sure, her name has already been picked and has been since I had Charli Beth (lol, I love picking baby names). I would love to have a rough & tough boy too. I can only imagine that he would be the cutest thing ever, but I'm not very good at picking boy names...at least boy names for a boy! haha.

9. Where do you get her {Charli Beth's} outfits from?

Ebay is one of my biggest friends. Being a single Mama on a low income and wanting to dress my daughter in nice outfits is not a good combination. I find a lot of her items on ebay or I shop sales in boutiques. Some of the boutiques have 70% off sales at the beginning and end of each season so I try to save up and get clothes for the next years too. I haven't had much luck with consignment stores around here except for the Lil Angel's Attic Sale. It is a two day sale at a church in Bowling Green, KY and I volunteer there. I spend tons of money there each season and the best thing about it is a lot of the money goes to local charities! I also am not afraid to say that I love yard sales shoppin' for Miss Priss!

10. Where does the name Charli Beth come from? Is she named after someone?

Yes. Charli Beth is named after my Papaw (my Mother's Father) I just changed up for the spelling to make a little girlie. Even though he passed away whenever I was only four years old, he touched my heart and soul. He was an honest to goodness good man. I'll never forget the simple enjoyments of having a great Papaw in my life. I have to give the credit to my Mom for her name, I'll never forget the day that she said hey how about Charlie for a girl and I just lit up and said that is the coolest name! I still think it is =) I will not ever be the Mom that wishes I would of named her something else. Char's other two middle names are "Elizabeth Grace" I know what was I think there? Well, I couldn't decide between the two and I really wanted Grace because of the wreck that I was involved in while I was pregnant (kind of like the Grace of God) and also her being born 6 weeks early weighing only 4 lbs 2 oz with no complications at all.

If you have any more questions go ahead and ask. Have a great day!!

Top Two Favorite

My "Top Two Favorite" movies are...

My numero uno movie of all time is "Wyatt Earp." I've told ya'll once and I'll say it again, I am not your average girl. haha. I love auction packed movies! Then again this movie is genuine good. If you don't love Wyatt and think there isn't something good lookin' about that man. I may have to reconsider you as my friend..JUST KIDDING!

Then there is "Man on Fire", which is such a close number one. I just love Denzel Washington, in pretty much every movie he plays in. But there is just something about the cute little love connection between the little girl and her Creasy Bear that I just adore.
Please do not get me wrong, I do love a good "Chick Flick" too! I cannot wait to see Dear John, although that may be all thanks to this man...

SHEW!

Also, read the post below, I will be posting the answers tomorrow.

Writers block?

I have been on a writers block for quite sometime lately. So I figured I could do the same as many other bloggers that have got to this point and ask that if you have any questions what-so-ever no matter what they could be, to ask away! I am so not the most interesting person in the world but I am sure you all could give me a few ideas on things to write about!