Where oh where could my "blogger" be?

The Lord took her away from me.
Name that song.

Life has been a little Cray-zay. But the craziness may die down soon. In the midst of the crazies I have lost my blogging ambition. Every ounce of creative thought in me is being sucked out right out.

I seem to be a woman burning the candle at both ends...

Too many pots on the fire...

Too many eggs in my basket...
(that one was for my hen friends)

When it does slow down a bit, I assure you I have lots to say about absolutely nothing. I am just a woman trying to be a wife and a mom, and a million other things at the same time. And something's gotta give.

But, meanwhile...I have a Cowgirl party to plan.
Because someone turned 4 on Wednesday.

Happy Birthday Charlotte!

I have really been loving this song lately... in the midst of all my crazies it is nice to remind myself that really only one thing matters... that I am loving God with all my heart.

Happy Labor Day!

In honor of Labor Day, I thought I'd participate in this little blog game.
It's about...well, labor. And not the kind you get a day off for, either. Far from it.


How long were your labors?
Hmmmm,why is this so hard for me to remember?
Baby 1-
Water broke at 7pm, Contractions started at 9:30am (yes, the next morning), baby born at 6:00ish pm (I am a really horrible mom who doesn't remember the exact times her children were born!) So....8 1/2 hours?
Baby 2-
Contractions started at 9:00ish pm. Baby here at 6:20 am. 8-9 hours
Baby 3-
Contractions started at 8pm stop at 11. Start the next morning around 9:00am. Baby born at 3:07 pm. 6 hours

Were they born on your due date?
No Stinking way....that would be way to easy.

Baby 1-- 10 days late
Baby 2-- 10 days late (do we see a pattern here???)
Baby 3 -- 6 days late (thank you... and to think I really thought she was coming early. HA!)

How did you know you were in labor?
Baby 1- Water broke
Baby 2- Contractions started
Baby 3-Contractions started

Where did you deliver?
Hospital...about 3 minutes from my house. Convenient, huh? But I really did contemplate a homebirth with #3. Really....call me crazy.

Drugs?
Nope...we did a Bradley Course for natural childbirth before Charlotte and used all the principles for the other 2. It really was an amazing experience and I had a Great coach! Couldn't have done it without him! Favorite quote of all time? (not that that's a part of this little questionnaire)

“We have a secret in our culture.
It’s not that birth is painful... but that women are strong.” – Laura Stavoe Harm-

C-section?
Thankfully no. I know there are plenty of women, and lot of my friends who have had to have c-sections and I hear the recovery is killer. I definitely don't understand the phenomenon of women actually opting for c-sections (a MAJOR surgery) when there is no medical reason to. But that is another post for another day.

Who delivered?
My trustee and faithful midwives from Central Carolina OB~ L.O.V.E them! They are a great team of midwives and helped me have the births I want!

Happy Labor Day Folks! Enjoy those little "Labors" of Love!

My Heart's Desire...

For years I have made goals every "semester"... a habit well established back in college. For years they were lengthy goals that went along with every aspect of my life. I had a lot of goals, meaning I had a lot to evaluate each week, month, semester. Though I still have many of those same goals, these days I need a more condensed version to "spur me on" for the upcoming months.

So here I share with you My Heart's Desire for the fall... I may not always be the perfect wife, mom, child of God....but My Heart's Desire is to grow in so many ways and to strive to be the best wife, mom, child of God I can be.


-I want to lose 15 lbs. I know you may not think I need to lose 15 lbs, but trust me... it's there... hiding in places I try to keep well concealed.

-I will spend more time time in the evening "screen free" and have more candlelight conversations with my husband instead.

-I will pursue women in different lifestages...older, younger, married, singles, empty nesters, widows, etc in meaningful ways

-I will find a new mom to encourage.

-I will engage my children in more purposeful play

-We will go see the leaves in the mountains this fall and maybe even go pick apples!

-I will enjoy Greensboro and NC for all it has to offer.

-I will simplify my life by de-cluttering, and keeping only what is absolutely necessary

-I will read 1 novel. I don't do alot of reading these days...and when I do I feel it is about parenting or Christian Living. I can't remember the last time I read a piece of fiction....I know, I am a horrible example to my kids.

-I will develop a better "plan" (one that is attainable) for the spiritual growth of our children

-We will have more people over for dinner....even in the midst of our wild llamas...we will invite them to share in this crazy thing we call our family.

-I want to speak more of God's word/promises to people around me... meaning I have to know more of God's word.

So....

What is your Heart's Desire for the fall?

Gloria Vanderbilt...

What in the WORLD do Gloria Vanderbilt and I have in common?

To be honest, not much....

But I must admit I have found a favorite new pair of jeans. They are fabuloso! And you guessed it...
The brand is Gloria Vanderbilt.

I have officially entered into the world on Mom Jeans. I mean really... Gloria Vanderbilt? Just report me to the fashion police RIGHT NOW!

But wait... these are not your typical mom jeans.

These jeans are great. They have a nice flare leg (flare is still in, right?) I am sorry but skinny jeans aren't EVER going to look good on me... or you, or most people. Unless you are 13 and 85 lbs. So, Flare is for me, it evens out the nice curviness in my thrice used birthing hips. (yes, thrice is a word)

However much I would LOVE a pair of these or these jeans, since I hear they are THE jeans to own.... I currently do not have $200 just sitting around, nor will I be buying a pair of jeans that expensive ever....unless I want my husband to kill me and thus be buried in the $200 jeans I just bought.

But... if I ever do lose these last 15 lbs of baby weight (3 babies = thrice the baby weight...there's that word again) I might just scope out Ebay for a good deal.

Back to my new fav jeans...

I got them at Kohls... I know, your mom's favorite store.... Now one of my favorite stores. These jeans have a nice stretch (wait, I already mentioned that) Flare, and... oh yes, a MID- waist.

Please moms... if you are playing on the floor with your kids, I do not want to see your bottom crack... nor does anyone else playing with you at playgroup. :) Do us all a favor and retire the ultra low rise jeans for good. My mid-waist jeans still look awesome on, and actually hold in a little of that extra 15 lbs I mentioned earlier!
I bought myself a size 8....but I hope to splurge another $21 (did I mention they were on sale?)and go out and buy another pair in a size 6 in a few months.
Here's Hoping! And Here's to a great pair of fitting jeans for the fall.
Thank You Gloria!

PS-- for all those who are headed to Kohls to buy yourself an awesome pair of jeans, I bought the Isabelle in flair, in a mid-dark color . Not the lightest--too casual for me, not the darkest---the dark ones back button pockets and i don't like pocket flaps. They also have boot-cut, but I recommend the flair.

**UPDATE---The rumors are true.  Gloria stopped making the flair Isabelle jeans.  Gasp.  I have found the Amandas (yuck).  The best way to find the Isabelle is on Ebay (just search Gloria Vanderbilt flair, because most people don't know they are called Isabelle). I actually just bought a pair on Ebay...they are a little longer than my own, and seem bigger... but the fit is still superb. I can get the hemmed.   I also spent some time at a "nicer" Goodwill and found 4 size 8 GV jeans, but no Isabelles.   BooBoo.... Any one else have similar jeans they love??