Fat Tuesday

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Another week has gone by and I was nervous today as I weighed myself. Thanksgiving is a heavy eating holiday. Keep in mind, I did Thanksgiving at work on Wednesday, again on Thursday (duh) and then AGAIN on Saturday. I'm over turkey for awhile. So, I got on the scale.......and I didn't gain any! I didn't loss either but who cares....I didn't gain after all that food! I have been eating a little better, or at least trying. Sometimes it is just hard. I'm just taking one day at a time. I don't want to stress about it to much during the holidays because I stress enough about everything else. Hope everyone enjoys their day!

Finally did it

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Well, I finally did it! I got a facebook page for my blog. I've had a twitter page for it for a little while now, but I think facebook is a better network. Feel free to like me on facebook or follow me on Twitter. Also, for anyone new, here is my introduction and also a chance to be a guest blogger for me. Hope everyone has a good night.

For the love of Sanity

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I have been really stressed out lately, for several reasons. I have three kids! That's the biggest reason there. Plus, it is deer season so that means on the weekends.....I'm alone with three kids! I cook, clean, think and worry about three kids....ALL. THE. TIME! There has been a time or two lately at some point one or all of the kids have misbehaved in public or at friends house. This stresses me out and embarrasses me. I don't like that other people have to get on to my kids. I'm not saying I get made at my friends. See, my friends and I have an unspoken agreement...if one of our kids is acting up, call them out and make them act right, then tell their mom. Also, as two of my kids get older they are more independent and don't want to include me as much. I know this is a part of life, but I still miss them and I get upset. I've been keeping all this in for a few weeks. We have been VERY busy to say the least for months now. And then it happened. I had a meltdown Saturday in front of friends and people I didn't know. I. could. not. stop. crying! A friend of mine asked me via email what was up, she noticed my facebook updates were kind of blah. This friend and I don't talk often, but when we do it's deep. I told her all this crap....and she then asked me if I wanted her opinion. I found this strange, to me, not to her though. I am always open to peoples opinions. Sometime they are helpful and sometimes I disregard them but I'm always interested on how others view things. Let me start off by saying family and friends are very important to me. That's why we are always busy. But it seams by family I mean extended...not the ones I live with (but they are important to). I'll explain. My dear friend pointed out that I'm always busy, ALWAYS. And even though I know this, it hit me different having someone else tell me. This friend hasn't gone out with us much since her son was born 3 years ago. It use to bother me but what she said to me made total sense. She reminded me that they are only kids once. Your friends and family and even husband for that matter are secondary. And she is right! Maybe me getting stressed out about having three kids isn't about actually having three kids, it is because we are always on the go and doing that with three kids is what stresses me out. I need to stay home and be lazy with my kids, or play outside or inside with them. Let them know that running around like a crazy lady isn't normal. And like she said, some people (friends and family) might get upset, but I have to learn to say no! As much as I would love to do it all and be everywhere, my children mean the world to me and I don't want to regret not being their for them for one second.

So to my dear friend...thank you for ditching me the past 3 years to be there for your son, I won't make fun of you again. And thanks for "straightening" me out. I feel the stress going away already. Hubby will be gone this weekend and it will be just the kids and I at home, and that sounds wonderful!

Dust Bunnies

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I didn't realize how bad it had gotten. I haven't really done a "deep" cleaning since Blake has been born (keep in mind he just turned 10 months). Since my hubby and I got all the Christmas stuff out of the attic I thought it was a good time to clean the floors good before any Christmas stuff goes up in the house. We have wood floors, which I've learned to hate. They are just there so dust bunnies can easily collect now, this was never a problem when we had carpet. So, I got the vacuum out so I could start with the baseboards. Normally this would be an easy, quick and simple job....not so much when you have to watch your baby and this is his first time hearing the vacuum cleaner (Alexys normally vacuums before we get home). He screamed bloody murder, so I did it in spurts. I even flipped the couches and vacuumed under there as well. After all that was done I put up the tree. No ornaments, but the tree is up with lights and the room is clean.

Tonight Devon and I will put the ornaments on the tree. I like to do this as a family but I'm over "making" them do it. I shouldn't have to pull teeth to do traditions so I'll do them without them. Robert does at least put the angel on the tree for me but Alexys is just over the whole thing. Whatev!

This will be Blake's first Christmas! And our first Christmas as a happy party of 5! I want to decorate big this year and enjoy time with friends and family.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving its self was good for me but the days after and what not were a little emotional for me, but maybe I'll talk about that another day. I just wanted to pop in and say hi and not avoid my blog for to many days. Please check out my Introduction and let me know if you would like to guest blog for me so I can try and increase my number of followers.

An Introduction

It's long overdue really. I've decided, with the recent increase in the number of followers I have and the fact that my page view count has gone up considerably I should introduce myself and my family (since I tend to talk about them alot).

Here I am. My name is Jessie. This picture was taken about 2 years ago, before I got pregnant with Blake. I had finally gotten down to a weight I was happy with. I am 31 (32 in March). I have been married for 2 years (3 in March) but with my hubby for 11 years this March. We met on my 21st birthday, in a bar. It happens. I have a step-daughter (who I would claim as my own any day of the week) and 2 boys. We live some what in the country in a beautiful home. I work in the accounting field. I absolutely love photography (everything about it). I love to do different crafts. I also love to scrapbook. While I haven't had much time to do it, and I'm currently about 4 years behind, I love it just the same. I enjoy spending as much time as possible with friends and family. This is my handsome husband, Robert. This photo was taken on our honeymoon. This beautiful young lady is Alexys. This is my step-daughter. She is 17 years old. She just moved in with us this past August. She is a Junior in high school.

The handsome boy is Devon. He is 9, he will be 10 in January.

This is THE cutest baby out there right now. This is Blake, he turned 10 months on Monday. He is the final piece to our family puzzle. We are now a party of 5 and I love every moment.

I would like to send a shout out to a few people. I notice that alot of my views come from a few people specifically. Three blogs in particular are With Eyes Wide Open , And So It Goes... and My Little Life . Thank you ladies. Also I have seen a big increase in views from Canada... I can only assume this has to do with my girl, Canadian Blogger Girl . Go check out their blogs, they are good and clearly have good taste (since they like me, lol).

Now I just want to put something out there. I know I don't have a ton of followers but I would love to get more. Most of you have many more followers than I. So I'm asking....would anyone like to guest post on my blog and bring some love my way? I am open to blog topics, I don't think there is anything I would turn away. What do you think?

Why did I do it?

I made the mistake of going to Target after work yesterday. I wanted to get a new shirt to wear for Thanksgiving. BAD IDEA. Last year for Thanksgiving I was 6 1/2 months pregnant. So I wanted to look a little cute this year. Not gonna happen. I tried on two sweaters at first. Yeah, I looked like I was still prego in one and the other I had a serious jelly roll working. So, I went back for other ideas. I got a few cardigan type things and some shirts that were not so form fitting. They still looked awful! I left the store with nothing. I will have to wear something I already have, which isn't much. This is the heaviest I've ever been and I hate it! Gotta do something about it. I will feeling down and I did what any fat girl would do.....I went and got the kids and the hubby and went to a pizza buffet! Don't know why I can't lose? haha. Next week I will start something, I hope.

Fat Tuesday

Another wonderful installment of FAT TUESDAY! I was actually looking forward to this post today. No, I haven't lost weight....but I didn't gain either so that is good. I've set a new goal for myself. Getting down two sizes before Christmas is starting to look harder and harder. But yesterday my baby turned 10 months and I had an idea. He will be 1 year old in 2 months. I 2 months time....I would love to weight what I did before I got pregnant with him. That means losing about 15-20 pounds. I don't know if I can do it...but I'm going to try. I want to get back on the three day diet and try and throw the treadmill in there a few days a week as well.

Also...this is post number 150! Wow...I love it!

Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the day!

Who does this happen to?

Honestly! This morning has been interesting so far. I pull on to the street that Blake's daycare is on and I hear a very wet noise. Ugh! I think to myself, Blake must have spit up, alot. I pull into daycare and open up the back door expecting to find spit up everywhere. Nope. I have a beautiful smile on the most handsome baby out there. I see no spit up, must have been a nasty burp right? WRONG!!! I proceed to unbuckle Blake from the car seat. I notice that my hand is moist. WTF? Maybe he did spit up but managed to miss his bib? Weird. Then I notice that both his thighs are wet. Oh no! That's right! Blake had such a gross, disgusting, watery poop that it came out of his diaper and through his pants and on to the car seat cover. AWESOME. I pick him up and carry him into daycare with my arms completely extended like he is the stinkiest boy ever, because he is. The whole time, Blake is smiling and giggling. I walk into his room and the teachers just start laughing at me. And I say "Honestly, who does this happen to?". And the teachers just take him and say "No one that would handle it as good as you.". I could just laugh. It's not Blake's fault really. It is just random luck that we were in the car. So I help the teacher change him. I know what some of you are thinking. I pay them so I should just let them do it. But, I love his teachers. They are with him more waking hours during the week then I am. Besides, I'm not the mom that drops the kid of and leaves. So I help her take the nasty diaper off, i did let her clean him bottom and then helped her get the poopy clothes off. They were nice enough to ask me if I wanted to go get my car seat cover and they would through it in the washer machine with his clothes. THEY ARE AWESOME!

So, that is how my day began. I'm hoping that it gets much better. At least I found humor in it. Hope everyone else has a wonderful Tuesday!

I found an awesome giveaway!

This is an AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!! Thrifty Decor Chick is hosting one of the best giveaways I've seen yet! I would love to win this. I can think of SO MANY projects to use this with....can you? Hop on over to Thrifty Decor Chick and check it out. If you are interested, enter to win....but I'm going to win (I hope anyways). Enjoy!!

Being Strong

Today's topic, being strong. I'm not talking about the physical kind either. And clearly the picture above is NOT me, or I would have no use doing my Fat Tuesday posts anymore. I mean being strong minded and strong willed. Some time life happens, and it's not good. You are forced to deal with something you never thought you would have to. You suddenly become very aware that ALL eyes are on you. Everyone is waiting to see how you will handle it. Will you fall to pieces, or will you be strong? But people have very different meanings of the word strong. I personally feel that just because you are a "strong" person, doesn't mean you have to do things alone. I don't thinking anyone can actually get through anything on their own. Even if you just need to call someone and just have them listen. That means they don't tell you their opinion or agree with you just to make you happy. Some time you just need to get it out (of your own head). And that is ok. Just because, God forbid, you shed a tear, doesn't make you weak....it means you have a heart. I don't really have a point to this post and it is not directly at anyone in my life either. Just something I've been thinking about. I have been graced with some wonderful friends and family around me. I don't have to go through anything alone. And I by no means think of myself as a weak person. I have the "friends" that I can call and no matter what I say (eg. "the sky is purple") they will agree with me. Those are friends I rarely call. I know I'm not right all the time, I'm ok with that. Sometimes I am so caught up with the way I see things I need someone else to point out the other side. I have been known to react to things while I am hot headed and not cool down before responding. I'm trying to work on that. 9 times out of 10, I regret the way I acted when acting on impulse. Photos found here

Now that I got that total randomness out of the way, check out my guest post on Beauty Sale Shoppers Blog. Hope everyone enjoys their week.

Check out this Giveaway!

Please check out my blog swap partner's blog at Unstitched. She is hosting her first ever GIVEAWAY! Lillian has just returned back from Hawaii and has a wonderful gift package from her trip to win. Please check it out and enter to win.

I did a guest blog post!

Everyone check it out! I was a guest blogger over my girl April's, Beauty Sale Shopper, blog today. It is about relationships, check it out. She also did a guest post for me today. Check her blog out and show some love. I hope every has a wonderful weekend!

Christmas Traditions for Two (or more)-guest blog

Hello!!! This is April, aka Beauty Sale Shopper, guest blogging on my good friend Shutterbug Mama's blog today. The two of us have been talking in the office lately about how we want to do certain things with our kids this year, maybe start some activities that will become traditions in the years to come for each of our families, for example;

* Pictures with Santa - now I've done this sporadically over the years, but if Phoebe and I didn't happen to be at the mall, and there was no line, and she was wearing an appropriate outfit, then it just wasn't going to happen. I have little (no) patience for lines, screaming toddlers, ect. This year, though, I will MAKE AN EFFORT to do this.

* Christmas Crafts! - SB Mama and I will hopefully do this one together... our kids get along, and while they work on their Gingerbread House or ornaments or whatnot, we can do some crafting of our own? That should be fun!

* Cookies - making and decorating cookies would be a nice way for mom/daughter to spend time together and they make excellent, inexpensive gifts for teachers, coworkers, etc!!!

* I'd also like to go look at Christmas lights one night, as well as decorate the tree together, visit the tree farm, sing carols, and maybe even go to a Christmas Eve service. Also, I need to remember to relax and enjoy everything, not just be there for it but be a part of it.

Here's hoping for one of the most fantastic holidays ever, just making sure we spend some time together having fun, relaxing, and making memories with friends and family that will last a lifetime.

Please feel free to pop in and show my blog some love.

April

Five Question Friday!

If you would like to join, link up on the above picture.

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?

I'm not sure. It's a different one every year. Although I like the song "Jingle Bells" it self, it does get over played every year. Not only do you hear it on every station...it also plays in every store.

2. Do you or your significant other cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?

When we first got together we snuggled, but we also slept in a twin bed so maybe it wasn't really snuggling we just couldn't not touch. When we moved into our own house we got a queen bed and I couldn't sleep unless our feet were at least touching. 11 years later, we have a California king, and we sleep on opposite sides of the bed. If he touches me, I feel his body radiating heat my way and I can't sleep (but if a sick kid crawls in bed I have no problem snuggling up to them).

3. Had you ever had surgery?

No!

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?

It is completely done no later than Christmas eve! lol

5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?

This is so easy! A super nice camera with tons of lenses and a super nice photo quality printer to go with it...oh, and some photo editing software. That's all!

Thanksgiving-Topic Part 2

Family Traditions. We all have them. We have always celebrated Thanksgiving with my mom. But a few years ago we started additional Thanksgiving traditions. We all get together at my moms, my little family, my aunts family and my cousins. It's always the same. The guys chill outside and the ladies are inside. My mom always makes the most amazing dinner that I probably eat all year long. Honestly, the stuffing and sweet potatoes are to die for. My mom's sweet potatoes can easily be mistaken for pie, they are so good. When dinner is done we do a bonfire in the backyard and sit around and chill. We all stay the night! It's so much fun. Last year was the first year us ladies lost our minds and went shopping on Black Friday. Shopping when you are 8 months pregnant with crazy people was NOT pleasant. Many are lucky I don't carry a gun, just saying. I know all the deals are amazing...but no reason to act like a psycho.

Guest Blogging?

I need you opinion, thoughts, help in general. What is the point of guest blogging? I see it on alot of the blogs I follow and I like it. A friend of mine and I were thinking of guest blogging for one another. What are yalls' opinion on the subject?

30 Day challenge--Day 11

Something people seem to compliment you the most on

I have to say I hear alot about how thoughtful I am. I write down every ones birthdays, I mail a card. I write down couples anniversaries, they get a card. If I find out you are expecting a child, you guessed it, a card. I take pics of everything and try to get copies to the people they mean the most to. I believe the little things mean the most. And I try to do a little something for people. A friend of mine lost her mom a few years ago in a tragic way. It's on my calender, and on that day I always send her a text or email telling her I thought of her mom today. Occasionally I have even gone to the cemetery too. A little card to brighten someones day, a text to show you care, a silly gift to say you were thinking of them...these are the things I love to do. I know a few of my friends when they receive a card in the mail, before even looking at it they know it's from me. I'm ok with that. So I'm predictable in that way, but they know how much they mean to me and that's important.

Showin' the love

I would just like to show a little love for my girl over at And So It Goes..... She mentioned me in a post the other day and since then I've noticed added traffic to my blog through her blog. Thanks girly!

Christmas-topic part 2 or 2

I'm only going to assume since my Christmas-topic part 2 post has been the most viewed post this week that someone I know and love is getting me something on this list, otherwise, that's just mean. But now...should I add more sensible gifts? Like ones people could actually afford? We don't really exchange gifts with the adults in my family, so I won't worry about it. I just found that stat funny. Have a wonderful day!

Unstitched.

My beautiful blog swap partner, Lillian, over at Unstitched. is in Hawaii. While she has not been doing normal posts while she has been away, she has been posting some beautiful photos of her days in Hawaii. Every please check her out and show her some love!

Fall is a great time of year

I am so behind on loading pics onto the computer. I took these about a month ago. Blake was wearing perfect colors and Alexys had a matching red blanket for him to sit on. We took him in the backyard near the woods and just started taking pictures.

The following pictures actually have me in it. Alexys, my daughter, took the camera from me so I could actually have some pics of Blake and I. I love her!

I love doing little photo shoots!

30 Day Challenge--day 10

Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn't know

I don't really know how to answer this one. I've thought about it for a few days. I'm a firm believe in everything happens for a reason. If I wish that I never met someone, that might change who I am today or where I am, in a positive or negative way. I wouldn't go as far as saying I've had a hard life by any means, but I've had my issues. But who doesn't? No matter how bad you thing you have it, there is someone that has it worse. Everything in my life, good or bad, was a learning experience and helped mold the women I am today. And I don't think that woman is half bad.

Little Old Ladies

Beauty Sale Shopper and I went to lunch today. We went to Black Eyed Pea, nothing like a little home cooking. There was a table in the back. One by one, the table started filling up with older ladies. I thought it was so sweet. They even prayed together before their meal. Then I wondered.....Was this a weekly thing, monthly or just totally random? The way they all talked to one another I assumed this was something that happened often enough that they weren't all saying "oh, guess what happened...". Then I thought, where are their husbands. They must all be at the "lodge" talking or out playing a round of golf. But for all I know, all their husbands hate each other. None the less, I hope when I'm a little old lady I can look forward to regular lunches with my friends. Makes getting old not seem so bad.

Fat Tuesday

Go me! I actually did my Fat Tuesday post on Tuesday. But it is just that...a FAT Tuesday! I've gained weight! Ugh. I know with the up coming holidays my weekends will be busier than normal. I just can't seem to fit exercising in unless I wake up at 5. I guess I could start doing that, as soon as I get rid of what ever sickness is invading my body at the moment. I spend half my time lying in bed hacking up a long until I finally fall asleep and then I hear the baby screaming because he has awful allergies. I eat crap. I know that is most of the problem. It's a downward spiral lately. I guess it aggravates me more because I know I CAN do it, I've done it before. I need more hours in my day. This daylight savings time has screwed me up even more. It is dark by the time I get home from work. Who wants to think about feedings the family, cleaning up and then jumping on the treadmill? Clearly, not me. I'll figure something out, eventually.

Thanksgiving-Topic

Here's another topic post. What is my favorite Thanksgiving memory? This was a few years ago. My sister was there (at my mom's house) and I think it was the one year that my dad's daughter actually came. After eating my mother's AMAZING Thanksgiving feast we did gingerbread houses with the kids! I think my mom and my sister did one, Devon and I did one, and my dad's daughter and her son did another. It was so much fun (even if mine did look the worst). I think we might have to do that again this year.

Beaches-Topic

Today's topic is beaches. (in case you don't remember, I randomly ask my facebook friends for blog topics and this was one of them). Everyone loves the beach. I think people who say they don't are just kidding themselves. I'm not saying everyone likes everything about the beach.

For instance, I don't really like getting in the salt water. But I love to lay out, hang out or play in the sand all day. Are you telling me if you were in the above picture...you couldn't find a way to relax and have fun? Pull up a chair and read a book while you hear the waves crash in, so peaceful. I could picture my hubby and I nestled under one of these pretty white umbrellas. He would probably have a bucket of beer, and I would order one fruity drink after another.

To stay in one of these rooms would be heaven! I hear there is a part of the floor that is glass so that you can see the fishys! I would die! My hubby isn't big on vacations...so this is just a dream.

Could you imagine going for a walk with this breath taking scenery all around you? I can smell the sea air, can you?

A single lounge chair. Looks lonely huh? I think it looks relaxing. Get your suit on, sun screen, lay a towel down and read a good book.

I love the colors!

How about taking a nap in this hammock? I'm getting sleepy already.

Beautiful.

A cozy little spot...if you wanna get away.

Here's another spot for the hubby and I to relax. Sometimes you just need to get away, even if it is just mentally.