Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will be staying away from Bryar for the first time. Yes, I am a second time Mommy. But there is five years between my two and my situation is different this time. When I was single living at home with my parents I was working second and third shift every week. It was two thirds and three seconds. It was rough and incredibly not worth it. But it was what I had to do for Charli and I. So we had to spend lots of time away from one another at an early age.

Praise little baby Jesus that my situation is different this time. Although, the fact that I have been able to stay with Bryar every single day for the last 15 1/2 months (besides my time at work) means that I have one little boy who loves me so much that he screams when I walk out of the room. Yes, he is that annoying baby that cries a lot in the nursery. But he isn't the only one that as separation anxiety. His Mommy does too.

It is quite ridiculous. I am used to Charli Beth leaving and staying with grandparents on the weekends. She is a girl on the go. Practically grown up sadly, even at the early age of six. But Bryar needs me. His middle of the night hawk screams are only calmed by this lady right here and I am proud of that. I practically dance in the glory that his love for me is overwhelming at times.

What I am scared of is that on my trip he will no longer "need" me. He will not just want me to rock him and sing rock-a-bye baby, or to rock him to sleep when nothing else works. Everyone is growing up and looking to other things for comfort but him and I want to make his love last long possible. It really is the most controlling and ridiculous thing I have ever thought.

I know that my mil will probably be laughing at me when we walk in the door with all of my notes and schedules (even though we basically do not have a great schedule.) But on the other side of me I am ecstatic about having a weekend with my husband and friends. We need this and maybe so does the baby. I am crossing my fingers and toes that they will have a great weekend, will be able to rest and that my littlest love will still love me when I return.

Now If I can only make myself get into that car tomorrow morning without crying....

Snow Day Sickies

Ah, another kiddos has jumped on the germ band wagon. Sadly, it just had to be on the first snow day of the school year. I knew that Charli Beth's principal had mentioned that strep was going around the school. But I crossed my fingers that her sore throat and head ache was allergies.

That was until the girl who never naps, tried taking one. After a temperature check and call to the doctor we were on our way to get swabbed!

Strep it is....

So after a $51 antibiotic since miss pros is allergic to amoxicillin we are hopefully on the way to being germ free!

Snow Day

Yesterday afternoon Charli Beth was so excited in hopes of getting her first "snow day" of the season. Then when one of the Moms that is a teacher picked up for their son told her that she must do three things, she got super serious. Kelli told her she "must flush ice cubes down the toilet, sleep with a spoon under her pillow and wear her Jammie's inside out."

Charli acted like she did not believe her. Then around 4:30 she she got spoons out and could not stop talking about how serious it was that we all wear our clothes inside out to bed. Even though, she was the only one to abide by this, it worked :)

First snow day is in progress! So far there has been some sleeping in, lots of muffin eating, cartoons and maybe a little bit of brotherly love by hitting sissy in the head...this day is sure to be a blast or kill me one?!

Family Fun and Not So Fun

On Friday, I was kiddo free besides my two very own little loves. I had promised Charli Beth that I would join her at school for lunch, since my opportunities to do so are very limited. She was super ecstatic! Then on Friday morning, Bryar woke up with another cough, and as the morning passed it still sounded icky so I made him an appointment.

But was it bad enough to let Charli down was the question, since I had an appointment scheduled and he would not be around other kids. After sitting him up I noticed that he was able to rest better in the up right position. So I headed to town and picked up Mickey D's (eek!) and to her school.

She was so excited to see us and was even more excited to hear that I would be back to pick her up early for B's appointment. It is always so fun to see her smile and tell me all about the other kiddos. Not to mention, she was not embarrassed one bit to a lay a big ole kiss on her brother and I before she left. Score!

At Bryar's appointment we thankfully found out that he did not have croup but it could of turned into it. So another low dose oral steroid it was! After one dose he was doing much better! Before heading home we enjoyed an early dinner at Boyce Store with my Mom.

We all know that I love anything that contains small community, good food and sweet people. Boyce is practically Heaven to me. I am sure that you can tell just how well Mr. Bryar was feeling and how much he loved sharing my Boyce burger (& eating an entire grilled cheese.)

That smile...ah, it melts my heart and especially since it was directed towards Charli Beth!

Operation Cupcake Cutie

Operation Cupcake Cutie was founded in 2012 for precious 4 year old Addyson "Addy" Clark. This little cupcake cutie was diagnosed in 2012 with Multi-Nodular Pilomyxoid Astrocytomas. She has 3 inoperable brain tumors. Operation Cupcake Cutie is their way of giving back and helping out all of Addyson's  dear friends!

This year Addy's family is hosting Crafts For Cuties for other children who are facing illnesses of their own at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. During each of Addy's hospital stays, she has been encouraged to create. For the first 14 days of February please consider donating any of the following 14. These items are some of Addy's favorite supplies that she would like others to enjoy just as much as she has! In donating items or even words of encouragement you are showing your love, support and prayer for these special little ones!

-plastic beads for necklaces or bracelets
-crayola washable paint
-canvases (small or medium)
- feathers
-googly eyes
-activity trays (for use in children's laps)
-crayola glitter glue pens
-colored paper sacks
-construction papers
-self adhesive foamies
-crayola markers or crayons
-pom poms
-Elmer's school glue
-water colors

Donations can be dropped off locally at Glenbrook Chick-Fil-A in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Items or monetary donations (which will be used in the purchase of craft materials) can be mailed to:

Crafts For Cuties
P.O. Box 8128
Gallatin, TN 37066

If you would like to visit Operation Cupcake Cutie's Facebook page please click here.


Please help me along with Operation Cupcake Cutie in spreading the word for this great cause!

Easy Bake Oven Fail

Charli was dying to receive an Easy Bake Oven from Santa for Christmas. After finding one on sale, Santa purchased it along with several other items. What a mistake the jolly fella made!

I never had an Easy Bake as a child and now I can see why. They are awful! I am sure that I slammed the thing on the counter probably three or four times. But that was mainly to get the tray of cupcakes out...I think that was reason at least?!

They taste funky and  never look like the pretty little photos. I just think they are a huge waste of money. From now on my girl and I plan to use the real oven and make huge ooey gooey cupcakes that we can all enjoy!

For now, I will leave you with my most recent easy bake fail.

Things To Never Say To Someone On Bed Rest

So today during nap time as I was scrolling through Pinterest, I came across a pin titled, "Ten Things To Never Day To Someone On Bed rest." So I clicked on it thinking, oh this is so for me when i was on bed rest! But, I was wrong because I was not a in the hospital during both of my long bed rest days.  So here is list for at home bed rest ladies. Some of these you may think WTC about but I promise you they are true.

1. "I am so jealous of you! I wish I could lay around all day." Seriously? After the first two days of sleeping and watching TV, it sucks. The days are long and so boring.

2. "Well, you're only gaining weight because you are having to be in bed." Thank you for pointing out the fact that I am a whale.

3. "It is such a pretty day outside." Throat punch. 

4. "I am going to the mall with Katie today." What? Thank you for telling me your fun plans as I lay here watching TLC all day.

5. "You are a human incubator." Well, I'll be... That is not the millionth time I have heard that today. Really guys. We know this, that is why we are doing whatever we can to keep the baby in!

6. "I went to CFA today and it was so busy." You better not ever visit my pregnant self (if I ever am again) with CFA sweet tea and waffle fries...oh and try not to forget the Polynesian sauce. Many thanks...

7. "You better sleep all you can because when the baby gets here you will be exhausted." No actually never say this to any pregnant woman. I am pretty sure we never signed up for the crying all night, getting peed on, and throw up all over our clean outfit thinking it would be a breeze.

8. "So, are you finished having babies since you are having to be on bed rest?" Ok. Just go ahead and take your shoe off, then insert it into your mouth. Never ever ever ask a Mom this. None of your business. End of story. 

So if I ever have to be on bed rest again, come back and read my list before you call or stop by ;) 

Being a K9 Mommy

When I first met Curtis, he had to have one stipulation before we started dating and that was a "non stinky police cruiser and k9." Yes, I know that is quite strange but a man that  does not care for his vehicle or pet could obviously not be a good future Husband or Father. Lucky for him his truck was spiffy clean and the dog did not smell.

So he got a second date.

Many dates later I became a Mommy to Gunner. What, Gunner calls me Mom? Of course he does. He is one of my babies, even if we do have a love/hate relationship some days. His shedding hair drives me up the wall.

When my Husband walks out of the door with Gunner half of my heart leaves with them. I worry about both. Gunner is Curtis' partner, his buddy and he always has his six (back) and that is SO important to me.

When he is at home, he typically stays in the garage on his bed unless I go out to do laundry then obviously he has to come jump on me to say hi. Or when Curtis goes out to get a uniform, he gets so excited and Curtis yells to him to stop but G man talks back. Seriously, he will bark back at him - cracks me up! The kids love him to pieces. Last year, I got a note from school about how Charli was talking about her "big brother Gunner." He is truly a big spoiled baby.

Watching Gunner train for work or while he is on duty has made me love him that much more. He is a total different fur babe. He barks non stop when someone approaches the cruiser, no matter who it is. (Minus Charli, she is the only exception.) His love and protection over Curtis (and all of us) melts my heart, even if play fighting is not excepetable around him because it makes him super confused.

Although, he may tick me off a lot, and scratch the fire out of me. I appreciate, love, respect and cherish the days that we have with him.