"moves..."

You know how sometimes you think you have everything figured and planned out? You know how you want things to play out, and you can even envision it. Well, I am at one of those times in my life, when things are going good and my plans are falling into place, and I'm scared.

The last time I remember things going this easy for me was my life before my divorce. You know, the way you felt before that big, huge thing happened and changed everything. The way you view yourself, your life, and your future. Back when everybody kept their promises and bad things didn't happen to good people.

Well, things are going good with me and the kids. I had a plan a long time ago to move into my county of choice before Ava started kindergarten, and ITS HAPPENING. Not only that, but my sister and her family are moving too. They got the realty blessing of a lifetime, and sold their current home and bought their new home within the same week! You just don't see that happening these days. So, just like we said when we were pregnant together back in 2005, we are making that move.

Remember, with being a single mom to two small children, location is key! I am exactly 8 minutes from my parents house, 10 minutes from both of my grandparents, and wait for it....

2 minutes from my sister and brother-in-law's new place!

I think I may be more excited than Mikey is, but my sister and I wouldn't have it any other way. I mean, with 5 kids between us we need each other. We are planning on taking full advantage of her fenced in back yard and my 3 acres.

But all this just makes me nervous, like whats around the corner? I know I shouldn't be thinking this way, but I just don't want to be caught off guard again and have the rug pulled out from under me! I'm gonna keep praying , and I know God will give me peace about it. This is a great time in our lives, and I don't want to spend it being a "Debbie Downer"!

So, we are busy, busy, busy updating and repairing my new place. My brother has really been awesome with everything. He has been a blessing during this whole process, because without him I wouldn't have even considered buying this home. It is really becoming a home I can be proud of. I am taking some pictures soon, and we are planning on moving in during September. I am just so very blessed right now...it just takes my breath away sometimes.

"alone..."

Who knew buying a house could make you feel so alone. I had been feeling bummed out for a week before I even realized what it was that was bothering me. Maybe because last time I was buying a house I was happily married, and I had somebody to share all the excitement, anticipation, and work with.

It has been such a blessing to get this house that is more than big enough for me and the kids, and it's somewhere I can see us growing up for years and years to come. This might sound silly, but it kind of feels like a homestead to me. We've got over 3 and a half acres of land full of huge oak trees with shade to die for.

I know realistically, I'm not alone. I've got children, family, and friends but still sometimes you just can't help but want more. I don't let myself go there often, the what ifs and just maybes. But sometimes, when you least expect it, you do. Oh well, I've been saying it for a while now..."If God wants to me to find that person to spend the rest of my life with, he better just sit him in my lap, 'cause I'm not looking for him."

We will see what happens. For now, I am trying to get excited about the work I have ahead of me. Painting, renovations, and moving. The moving part is going to be fun if we can ever get there.

I will never leave you or forsake you. I'm just going to hold onto that promise and pray for peace and endurance for the task at hand.

"30 minutes of summer"

Our summer fun is in full swing.

Ava is growing into a beauty with an attitude. Her vocabulary isn't as sophistocated as some of the things she tries to get across, which turns into some funny stories.

Archer is into everything, but he is leary of strangers right now. He isn't scared to try anything, he just likes mommy to hold his hand while he does it.

So far this summer: We've taken a vacation to St. Louis and Branson, Missouri. We have been on a camping trip to Tannehill State Park. We went rafting on the Hiwassee River in Tennessee. We took a day-trip to Alabama Adventure. Ava and Archer attended Vacation Bible School at our church. We've also been going to the local library for their weekly shows. And countless other things to keep us busy...not to mention working full-time!

I love doing things for the kids and with my family, but sometimes...just sometimes, it seems like I'm doing all this work for maybe 30 minutes of actual enjoyment. Does that make any sense? Like, I'm the one who can't just sit around and let things not get done. Its my own fault that I miss some of those enjoyable moments, because I'm the one packing the picnic, lathering somebody with sunblock, hanging the wet beach towels up to dry, gathering the garbage out of the van, etc. You get my drift?

But, those 30 minutes...

make it all worth it!

"Archer's First Birthday Party!"

Here is the birthday boy!
Doesn't he look handsome.

My sister and I got to there early to put up our decorations.
I bought decorated sugar cookies and put a
personalized sticker on the back that said,
"Thanks for coming to my party!"
-Archer

I bought stuff on sale after Easter
and used them for centerpieces.

I also made these awesome cupcake toppers.
I used paint.net to add "Happy Birthday Archer" to each scene.

Here's the cake in all its glory.
The cake topper itself is made of wood and clay,
so we can keep it for years to come as a keepsake.

Archer's highchair, decorated for the day.
Another homemade, personalized decoration.
I really went all out with the cardstock!
Archer had this attitude for pictures most of the day. "Mommy, is that cake seriously all mine?"

"I don't really know what you expect me to do with it?" "Tastes good!"

"Mommy, are you sure this is okay?"
"Didn't you call this my smash cake?"
"Well, it's smashed!"
After enjoying cake and CLEANING UP!
We got to the presents.
Archer got a lot of help from the big kids...too much help!

Ava with the balloons.
She wanted to take all of them home to play with.
She didn't quite make it home before falling asleep.
Is my sweet boy really 1?
I think I'm in for a wild ride.

"Blog Rant"

Still not feeling bloggy...what's a girl to do? I don't know why I haven't been motivated to take some pictures of projects I've done or post some adorable pictures of my kids.

What's going on with me?

I got a little bummed out when for the second time, I tried to "make my blog into a book". Over at blog2print.com, they had a new feature which allowed you to keep your pictures, captions, and text in order just the way your post looked. Well, it still didn't cut it, and it kind of busted my bloggy bubble. I really wanted to make this thing into a sort of scrapbook for years to come. I mean, maybe I'm just being a paranoid cavewoman, but what if blogger.com isn't there one day when I go to sign-in? They are a business, they could back up their bags and move on.

Should I have more faith in the blog world? Is this thing here to stay? I want my kids to have something to hold in their hands like a book, not just their I-Pad...or whatever is current for them.

Another, interesting fact about my blog-drought, I am right the opposite with my housework and busy-ness level. I have been all about keeping the house straightened up, clothes kept up, and toys picked up. Also, been doing creative things like nobody's business!

I'm going on a big vacation next week with my parents and my kids. We are tagging along with my parents on a road trip to Branson, Missouri with a trip across the state on our way out to visit the St. Louis Arch (gotta take Archer to see the Arch!)

I have some fun memories from one of our vacation to St. Louis as kids. We did go up in the Arch, road around St. Louis in a horse drawn carriage, and checked out the city. I know Archer won't remember this trip, but I think Ava will.

On another note, I am going to be closing on our new home on April 26th. Hopefully the last walk through and everything will go as planned. Big step for our little family. I'm going to have a home again. We need more space! A family of 3 isn't meant to share one bedroom. If my parents could have just added us on a couple more bedrooms in our apartment, then we may have never moved out!

This move will also put us in the school district of choice for Ava and Archer. Big decisions and changes going on in my life! I'm stepping out on my own again. Sometimes just thinking about it, I can feel the anxiety gripping my chest! I've got to get use to being alone in a house again too. I will just have to suck it up and get use to it...so what if me, Ava, and Archer still sleep in one room for awhile? If I turn my noise-maker up loud enough, then I won't hear the scary bumps and creaks in the night!

Okay, this rant has got to come to an end! See you when I see you, Peace!

"Party Prep"

Archer's birthday was Wednesday, and I spent the day loving on him and making things for his birthday party this weekend! I am having his party at a local cafe type restaurant. It is closed on Saturday's, but she opens it for private parties. Our theme is "Moose and Zee" from Nick Jr. I ordered a cake topper off of etsy.com from a lady in Italy. That's right, I said Italy! I also used a lot of card stock, photo paper, and hot glue to make cupcake toppers, a banner, and personalized party favors. I've already put together the center pieces and bought the rest of the supplies for the party. I am super excited about how everything will come together. I will be posting all about it after the party! Gotta keep the party goers who read my blog in suspense.

"Archer's Visitors"

Here's another of my sister's posts about Archer's first days...

Archer had tons of visitors. First and foremost, his big sister Ava.She wasn't exactly sure what to think of him at first.

But soon thereafter, she warmed right up. At one point we asked her if she wanted to hold him and she said yes, so she went and washed her hands and climbed up in her chair and said,

"Gimme that sweetheart!" It was so funny and sweet.

Huett and Sam were very hands-on right off the bat. Huett is very gentle and probably pays more attention to Archer than the other kids. He loves babies. Sam is just a little too rough for my comfort level, but he does good. Our baby better watch out!
Huett thought this was really exciting! A few seconds later he was helping to give him his pacifier when Sam stole it and put in his mouth just like it was his paci. Maybe now would be a good time to take away his pacifier.
Sam looks really mischevious in this picture. He does come by it honest, however. For those of you who didn't know, I was voted most mischevious in my nursing class. Try not to be jealous!! Notice the roughness that is about to take place in this picture... oops!

Teagan was another very important visitor. She wasn't the baby for long. She had to come meet her new baby cousin! Look at those big girl teeth!

Ava loves referring to Archer as, "the best baby brother in the whole wide world."

Aunt Jenny came to visit too! She looks natural with a baby boy doesn't she...hmmmm maybe this is a sign from the future!

We had many loving family and friends stop by the hospital to check on us and meet baby Archer. I felt loved and thankful to have so many people that care about me and my baby.