Family Values

Sammy and I had crushes on each other in high school but he never

Sammy in high school

asked me out :) Lindsey, Michelle and I used to run figure 8s around the practice football field and baseball field every afternoon (yes, we totally checked out the guys as we ran those miles) and I would talk to Sammy outside the gym when he was done with practice. We liked each other, but the timing just wasn't right. We ran into each other from time to time and he always held a little piece of my heart for some reason. So fastforward to January 2001-my 20th bday. I was living with Michelle, Erin and Samantha...Sammy called Samantha and asked what she was doing and she told him we were all going out for my bday. He got my number and called me that night. It was all over from there. We started dating and at first I told him I wouldn't be exclusive (since I just got out of a long relationship.) In March I told him I couldn't commit. He used the line "It's not that you can't, it's that you won't" so from that day forward I stopped talking to other guys. In June I moved to Dallas and we didn't know how the long distance thing would work, but it

Me in high school

did. I always thought that God brought us back together after we had dated other people so it was meant to be.

We got engaged in April of 2002. The boy can't keep a surprise to save his life! He was going to propose at my sorority formal, or at the baseball game we were going to that weekend, but he got into Dallas late Friday night and had bought me Breakfast at Tiffany's (since I had never seen it) and a few minutes in he busted out the ring and asked me to marry him. We all know my answer...but I was a bit nervous about the whole marriage thing. The following May we got married. I was still nervous....but I knew if I was going to get married it was going to be to

Sammy. We got married in the Presbytarian church in Rockport (because it had a center isle, my church and Sammy's church didn't) and had our reception at the pavillion on the beach. It was beautiful. We finally started living together and adjusting to married life.  

 Marriage is work, anyone who says it isn't is lying. I know one girl who used to tell me it was easy and wonderful all the time. I thought she was nuts, and as it turns out she got divorced 2 years ago. There is alot of sacrafice, submission and compromise. We love each other so much and have been beyond blessed. We have beautiful children, a nice house, wonderful friends and jobs. Supportive families and having a church home are huge parts of what makes us successful too. We try to follow the rule of priority: God, Spouse, Children. We don't always agree, but we talk it out and sometimes I stomp off in a total teenage fit :) For the most part we have figured out how we work and make the most of it. It isn't always easy but it is always worth it. I am really glad he made that call on January 13, 2001.



Honeymoon







wedding



Mother's Day....

Yes, it is nearly 2am and I am still awake...yes, I have to get up in a few hours for work. You know how sometimes you start cleaning and can't stop until you feel good about a stopping point? That was me tonight. We got home from San Antonio around 4:30 and the kids were playing so I wanted to finish my book (Water for Elephants, which I loved) and ignore the unpacking and laundry to be done. So I did. My reading was interrupted by diaper changes and feedings, but I finished it. Then I had to leave at 8:20 to go pick up my Meemaw from the airport. Got home, put the kids to bed, spent a little time with Sammy,then the cleaning began. Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher...everything is running. I folded/hung a few loads and still have 1 in the washer and 1 inthe dryer! Then I had to make bottles and food for tomorrow. Get the school uniform ready and the clothes for football practice....all of a sudden it is 1:45.

Mother's Day was great. I got my 2 Tiffany necklaces from "my kids" and then today I got a cute little card and a starbucks giftcard. I must have been a really good mom this year! I am so thankful for my family. It is crazy to think I was so afraid of being a mom. When I was pregnant with Shep, I told Sammy that there was no way I was going to love a baby as much as I love my dogs. (I am kind of a crazy dog person, like insanely in love with my dogs) I was so unsure of what it meant for my future. I was excited about it but just had a lot of reservations. Then came by little man. It was a super long labor and I slept through the c-section due to pure exhaustion so meeting him was a blur. The next part I am telling because nobody told me about these feelings. I feel as moms, we should tell our friends about things that we are even a bit afraid to admit we thought. So when Shep was born, I didn't "fall in love" or feel an instant connection. Same with Madi. I was happy to see them and so thankful to have beautiful babies, but I thought it was going to be some sort of electrifiying connection. It wasn't there, so I thought something was wrong with me. And honestly, there was. I had major surgery both times. I was exhausted, hormonal, and on drugs. My love for them started growing from the moment I met them. I think it doubles everyday. I love them both in a way words cannot describe. I love being a mom and I am good at it. Even if I have to stay up until 2am to get the chores done :) Shep is my sunshine and Madi is my little angel.So on Mother's Day I am thankful for my amazing mom who raised my sister and myself as a single mom. She taught us the importance of God, work ethic, and most importantly raised us so we could be successful as we grew up. I am so blessed to have my grandmother in my life. She also helped raise my sister and myself. She lived with me for 15 months to take care of Shep when he was born and has lived with us the last 6.5 months taking care of Madi. What a wonderful opportunity my children have to be so close to their greatgrandma. I also have my aunts who played a big role in my life and helping mold me into the woman I am today. I also thank God for blessing me with my family. I have 2 wonderful and beautiful children. Life can be overwhelming, work can run a person down, and the laundry never ending, but I look at my children and am instantly calmed. I hope everyone had a wonderful day and now I am going to put this mother to bed!

Yada Yada Yada

Yesterday I was carrying Madi while doing chores and wondering to myself "Why do some people think it is awful to carry your kid around all the time?" Ok, I get the part where it makes it a little harder to get things done, but overall it is kind of fun for me. I did it with Shep too. Sometimes I would put on the little baby frontpack and clean the whole house. It allows me time to be close to my babies, and since I am a working mom, every minute counts. I guess it is the more natural thing for me. We don't have set schedules, or feeding times, bed times are "about" this time, but it is flexible. And as babies, they sleep in my room. Often in my bed. I know the baby wisers are freaking out right now and shaking their heads :) It works for me...and Sammy. It was our family decision. We didn't know it until we brought Shep home from the hospital, but having him with us was what felt right. Plus with nursing, it just makes life super easy. So I carry my kids. Both of them. Shep still likes to be held sometimes and loves to sit in my lap to cuddle whenever it is free. I would rather have my lap full of kids, or a baby on my hip than kids that didn't want my complete attention and affection. Shep often tells me through out the day how much he loves me and every time I hear it fills me with joy. I became a mom because I wanted to be a mom. It wasn't about convenience or schedules. It was about love, joy, and a blessing I didn't even understand until it happened. (but on a side note, don't think because I'm all lovey dovey I spare the rod!)
Today at church I got all teary eyed (which happens often at church.) They were doing baptisms and I become so overcome with emotion when I see people give their life to Christ. Buried in the likeness of his death, raised in the likeness of his resurrection. I can't wait for my children to make that decision. I have become so much more sentimental at church since I had children. The fact that He gave His only son has always been precious, but after having my own son, it became more realistic (if that makes sense) Or maybe I just became a big sleep deprived, hormonal, emotional mess after having kids. Lol. Which ever it is, I appreciate it a little more.
I'm about to start a new workout program...I am hoping it is as good as I have heard in the past. I will keep everyone posted. I still have 15 lbs of Madi to get rid of and 15 lbs of Shep too. Hopefully this new workout will get me over this plateau. Apparently going to the gym for 1.5 hours 3-4 times a week isn't working....